France vs Poland
4 December 2022
BCA Prediction: France win
Poland barely participated in their 2-0 loss to Argentina, knowing they were going through thanks to their disciplinary record. It was a summary of their tournament so far, as they have been largely uninspiring all tournament. The Poles have only recorded 5 shots on target in their 3 games at this World Cup, with 60% of those coming in their 2-0 win against Saudi Arabia. Overall, they have now won just two of their last 8 competitive games, a run in which they have scored just 6 goals despite the best efforts of Robert Lewandowski.
Despite falling to a 1-0 defeat against Tunisia, France became the first defending champions to make the knockout stages since Brazil in 2006. They have won every last 16 ties that they have played at the World Cup, and they come up against a Poland team that are playing their first match in the knockout stages of a World Cup tournament since 1986. Didier Deschamp’s men have comfortably dismissed Australia and Denmark at this tournament. Only a heavily rotated team lost to Tunisia in a match with nothing at stake.
Poland have kept things tight at the back so far, with the two goals scored by Argentina being the only goals they conceded in the group stage. But they will have their hands full against a formidable French attack that is spearheaded by the deadly Kylian Mbappe. Mbappe is among the front runner for the golden boot having scored three goals in 3 appearances so far, and he has had nine more shots (16) and five more shots on target (7) than any other France player so far. Along with Oliver Giroud, Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele, he will have too much quality for Poland.
Key Takeaways:
- France have won every one of the last 16 ties they have played at the World Cup
- Poland recorded just 5 shots on target in their 3 group-stage matches
- The Poles have won just two of their last 8 competitive international fixtures
England vs Senegal
4 December 2022
BCA Prediction: Over 1.5 goals
England came through their group unbeaten, with a dour draw against USA sandwiched in between two comfortable wins against Iran and Wales. Gareth Southgate’s men have racked up nine goals already, and they only scored more at two previous World Cups (1966 and 2018). Those two group-stage wins are their only wins in the last 9 competitive internationals, so it is quite easy to see why many people are not convinced by the Three Lions.
Senegal made the last 16 without key man Sadio Mane, who missed out through injury. They have rallied together and dug deep to secure the wins against Ecuador and Qatar that took them beyond the group stage. However, their defence remains a real worry. Despite the presence of Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy, they conceded in all of their 3 group-stage matches, including against Qatar, who scored their first-ever World Cup goal. Indeed, since beating France 1-0 in their first-ever World Cup match in 2002, the Teranga Lions have conceded at least once in each of their last ten games in the competition.
While a lot of pundits are not sure about this England side, it is still worthy of note that they have won 14 of the 20 competitive matches they have ever played against the African sides. And with African teams losing 8 of nine clashes against European sides at the World Cup, Senegal has it all to do. The fact that England have scored 9 goals and Harry Kane is yet to get on the scoresheet should be a real bother for Senegal. It means England have quality and goal-scoring ability in abundance elsewhere, and any of Bukayo Saka, Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish could damage the Teranga Lions.
Key Takeaways:
- England have won 14 of 20 competitive clashes with African sides
- African nations have lost eight of 9 clashes with European sides at the World Cup
- Senegal have conceded at least a goal in each of their last 10 World Cup matches
FIFA World Cup 2022
The FIFA World Cup is the biggest sporting event in the world, and this will be the first time the event will be hosted by a Middle Eastern country. Qatar 2022 is set to have a massive geographical impact on the region for the first since the tournament’s inception in 1930.
The World Cup is a unique event in many aspects, bringing about various opportunities, especially for football enthusiasts, and with it comes many betting markets. The competition among the 32 qualified national teams will be very fierce; hence you need a guide and insight on which teams or players to stake on.
