News

When you are competing for a title, the last thing you need are banana skin games away to inconsistent sides who can thrive on the day. Leicester have shown both of their faces recently, with a 4-1 defeat of Tottenham Hotspur pairing up with a meek defeat at Old Trafford to Manchester United. Arsenal came through an acid test, winning away at Aston Villa after being defeated at home by Manchester City.

Leicester News

The Foxes are missing a trio of important players in the shape of James Justin, Ryan Bertrand, and Jonny Evans. All three are Brendan Rodgers stalwarts, and their absence has played a role in just how inconsistent things have been in the Midlands.

Leicester, though, are mostly fit and firing after a challenging period of injuries recently. They come into this one knowing that they are inconsistent, but also knowing they have the firepower and skills to beat anyone on their day.

Arsenal News

The Gunners are still without Gabriel Jesus and are likely to miss both Mohamed Elneny and Thomas Partey. This leaves the title chasing North Londoners scrambling for a midfield, with it being likely that Jorginho will come back in to the side after his dramatic winner against Villa. Eddie Nketiah will continue up front, flanked by Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka.

There is, though, a natural hesitancy about Arsenal after the Manchester City result. Nottingham Forest done them a favour and undone some of the damage, but it is now up to Arsenal to prove that they can overcome adversity by beating a side who love to play against the Gunners.

Verdict

Arsenal fans will not like this, but we can see a Leicester result here. The Foxes are known for appearing against the big teams, while they tend to have motivational issues in the average week to week games. This is a stern test for an Arsenal team who won big at Villa; we cannot see a repeat performance here, though.

SCORE: 2-2

Germany come into this tournament with arguably as many questions about their longevity as Japan do. The Germans won it in 2014 and have been a season-in, season-out disappointment since. Japan have failed to match their reputation as the top team in Asia for a long time now. Despite both teams boasting some excellent talent (and leaving some great players back at home), they arrive at the tournament with more queries than solutions.

Japan, meanwhile, have picked a conservative line-up that is shorn of more or less any attacking stars. While the likes of Costa Rica and Spain pose excellent threats, Japan appear to have arrived at the tournament having borderline conceded they will be heading home early regardless. Germany, then, have a rare chance to build up a massive head of steam and win comfortably in a group stage match against a team coming to Qatar to absorb pressure.

Who will win this tie?

Germany, with some to spare. Japan simply have not got the attacking talent in their line-up to bother Germany. Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi has been left at home as the Samurai Blue go for a more conservative, less offensive approach. This will see them look to press and keep the opposition at bay, and counter quickly using their collection of interesting attacking midfielders.

Right now it would be hard to say with any certainty that Japan will even take a point in this group. Germany should win on the opening game without much real challenge at all.

VERDICT: 3-0

Wales might not carry the same international controversy as the English national team, but they are still part of the United Kingdom. In the eyes of passionate Iranians looking to get one over an international foe, beating Wales would be akin to beating England. As such, Wales should come into this game with complete belief that they can get something here.

The early kick off time means most Wales fans will be eating their breakfast watching, but this should be an absorbing tie. Both teams are 100% committed to making this a spectacle to remember, and the tightness of three of the group seeds means that England, really, should come into this feeling pretty confident. Expect Wales to arrive in this one knowing they need to put on a show, as they might need the points ahead of a tie-up with England a dalliance with the USMNT in game one.

Who will win this tie?

Wales. Iran are a decent side, but Wales have the star power of Gareth Bale and a few other decent performers. Iran might have Mehdi Taremi, but outside of the big burly striker – who matches up well with the Wales back-line – they are short on quality. This should give Wales plenty of opportunity to overwhelm a weak enough defensive unit.

This could be the best game of the group in many ways, and should pose a very interesting match to watch for all involved. Definitely one to keep an eye on, but it should be Wale’s day.

VERDICT: 3-1