The World Cup may kick off today, but tomorrow is when the real action starts as the bumper bundle of games begin with three group stage fixtures over the course of the day.
Egypt face Uruguay in the second Group A match, while Group B begins with Morocco against Iran ahead of the Iberian derby between Portugal and Spain to round off an action-packed day of football.
Our football betting expert gives you the best World Cup betting odds ahead of all three encounters.
Egypt v Uruguay
Egypt’s hopes in this opener may rely on whether Mo Salah returns from injury.
The striker picked up a shoulder injury in Liverpool’s Champions League Final defeat to Real Madrid, and it’s a race against time for the 25-year-old to prove his fitness. Despite that, they are 11/2 to pick up the win with Grosvenorsport.com
Uruguay have the strike force to cause most defences issues throughout the tournament in the shape of Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez. They are 4/7 for an opening win, while the draw can be backed at 5/2.
I fancy Uruguay to pick up the win, but like the look of a combination bet – over 1.5 goals, over 8.5 corners and over 3.5 cards – which is available at 13/8, while I will also plump with Cavani to score anytime at 6/5.
Morocco v Iran
This game hardly sets the heather alight in terms of excitement and I can’t see anything but a cagey encounter between two nations looking to get their campaigns off to a winning start.
For Iran, it is their second World Cup in succession after exiting at the group stage last year having failed to pick up a win, and they are 11/4 to pick up the win.
This is Morocco’s first tournament since falling at the first hurdle in France back in 1998 and have just the two wins in their four previous World Cups. They are 6/5 to take the three points in this game, while the draw is 15/8.
I don’t expect there to be too many goals in the game, and it’s likely that one side will nick it, so I will go with under 1.5 goals at 5/4.
Portugal v Spain
The last game of the day is inevitably the pick of the trio and it is sure to be an interesting encounter with recent events.
Spain parted company with manager Julen Lopetegui after learning of his agreement with Real Madrid to head to the Spanish club after the World Cup. Former player Fernando Hierro will take the managerial reins for the tournament and the 2010 World Cup champions are evens to open with a win.
That will ultimately give Portugal a boost who are still 3/1 to pick up the victory, though Spain still have plenty of class to emerge victorious despite the off-the-field issues. The draw is available at 2/1.
I feel this game promises goals and I will go with another combination bet of both teams to score, over 3.5 goals and over 5.5 cards at 9/1.
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