Thursday at the World Cup: More goals as Senegal and Colombia clash
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After two weeks of drama, tension and uncharacteristically entertaining football, the World Cup group stage comes to a close this afternoon.
We round things off with four clashes from Group F and G. England take on Belgium in the standout match at 7pm. You can read our preview for that one here.
But before that it’s all to play for in the early fixtures as Japan face Poland and Senegal play Colombia with both qualification places still up for grabs in Group H.
Check out our previews for those matches – and Panama v Tunisia – below…
Japan v Poland (3pm, BBC2)
Victory for Japan against already-eliminated Poland will see them through to the last-16 for the third time since their debut in 1998.
Going off the Poles’ lacklustre display against Colombia, that shouldn’t be too difficult. Japan are 8/5 to Win Outright or 4/9 on the Double Chance.
Keisuke Honda scored in his third consecutive World Cup in the last match against Senegal. He’s proved a vital component for Samurai Blue and is 2/1 Anytime.
You can also back him to repeat his trick from the last match and Score Last at 11/2.
Robert Lewandowski has flattered in deceive in Russia but remains the most likely scorer for Poland at 5/4 Anytime.
In what should be a tight match, Under 2.5 Goals is 8/11 and Under 1.5 Goals can be backed at 21/20. A 1-0 Japan win is priced at 7/1.
Senegal v Colombia (3pm, BBC1)
Two of the tournament’s most exciting sides go head-to-head in a final match shootout in Samara.
Victory for either will send the other packing, although a draw (11/5) would also be good enough to take Senegal (17/5) through to the knockout stages.
Both sides offer plenty of attacking threat. Their four matches combined so far in Russia have produced 13 goals. It’s 20/23 for Both Teams to Score and even-money for Over 2.5 Goals.
Sadio Mane netted for the Lions of Teranga last time out. He’s considered their biggest threat at 12/5 Anytime.
James Rodriguez comes alive in the yellow of Colombia and is 2/1 Anytime or 12/1 for a brace. Brighton & Hove Albion star Jose Izquierdo is 5/2 Anytime.
Panama v Tunisia (7pm, ITV4)
Pride is at stake between the two sides without a point in Group G. Tunisia appear a more rounded outfit than their Panamanian counterparts and are 5/6 to pick up all three points.
Ex-Sunderland man Wahbi Khazri netted against Belgium last time out and is considered the most likely player to break the duck here at 4/1 First Goalscorer.
Panama will be looking towards dangerous centre-half Gabriel Torres. The captain missed a golden chance against England in Nizhny Novgorod and is 21/10 to make amends with a goal Anytime.
Under 2.5 Goals between two nations not blessed in the forward department is 11/10.
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All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
