Two of the world’s best strikers are pitted against one another on Thursday and that should result in goals. Norway and France have scored 13 goals between them and both teams have found the net in eight of Norway’s last nine fixtures.

Senegal can overwhelm Iraq with their attacking talent and score at least two on route to the knockouts.

Spain have allowed only two shots on target against them so far, while they’ve conceded just 0.34 xG in total, and their opponents have managed a combined eight touches in their penalty area. Uruguay have scored only three goals from 44 shots, and their wasteful form in front of goal, combined with a run of five wins from 23 fixtures, suggests Spain can win to nil.

Iran are on a five-game unbeaten run and can at least avoid defeat against Egypt, who only need a point to qualify as one of the top two in Group G. A point would probably be enough for Iran as well and a win would definitely ensure progress, so back the Persian Cheetahs to either win or draw this group clash.

Cape Verde have picked up draws with both Spain and Uruguay and they are now on a five-game unbeaten run. The Blue Sharks’ displays so far suggest they can grind out a win over Saudi Arabia, who lost 4-0 t0 Spain last time out.

Belgium may have underwhelmed at the World Cup so far but they are on a 15-game unbeaten run and their performances in North America still suggest they can overcome New Zealand, who lost 3-1 to Egypt last time out. The All Whites know only a win will do and they have scored three goals across their two games so back Belgium to win and concede.

Kylian Mbappe has four goals already at the World Cup and has had seven shots on target in total, with at least three in both games so far.

Veteran Iran defender Shoja Khalilzadeh looks good value for at least two fouls against Egypt. He has committed three infringements across two games and has been booked six times in 21 games for Tractor in the Persian Gulf Pro League.

Kylian Mbappe has four goals already at the World Cup and has had seven shots on target in total, with at least three in both games so far.

Despite Iraq managing to get a goal vs Norway, they lack quality up front to concern Senegal. Expect a 2-0 win the way of The Lions.

France look the most likely to win against a defensively fragile Norway, but they could struggle at the back themselves. Les Bleus have scored exactly three goals in four of their last five games, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see a reversal of Norway’s 3-2 result against Senegal.

Kylian Mbappe is targeting a second successive World Cup Golden Boot and has already notched a brace in each game so far. He had eight shots against Iraq and is now France’s all-time leading goalscorer with 60 goals in 100 caps.

Ismaila Sarr has been the standout performer so far, and netted two in their recent match vs Norway. He can get on the scoresheet again here.

Oyarzabal scored twice against Saudi Arabia, and he entered the tournament having found the net in six straight games for his country.

Two of the world’s best strikers are pitted against one another on Thursday and that should result in goals. Norway and France have scored 13 goals between them and both teams have found the net in eight of Norway’s last nine fixtures.

Senegal can overwhelm Iraq with their attacking talent and score at least two on route to the knockouts.

Spain have allowed only two shots on target against them so far, while they’ve conceded just 0.34 xG in total, and their opponents have managed a combined eight touches in their penalty area. Uruguay have scored only three goals from 44 shots, and their wasteful form in front of goal, combined with a run of five wins from 23 fixtures, suggests Spain can win to nil.

Iran are on a five-game unbeaten run and can at least avoid defeat against Egypt, who only need a point to qualify as one of the top two in Group G. A point would probably be enough for Iran as well and a win would definitely ensure progress, so back the Persian Cheetahs to either win or draw this group clash.

Kylian Mbappe is targeting a second successive World Cup Golden Boot and has already notched a brace in each game so far. He had eight shots against Iraq and is now France’s all-time leading goalscorer with 60 goals in 100 caps.

Spain have allowed only two shots on target against them so far, while they’ve conceded just 0.34 xG in total, and their opponents have managed a combined eight touches in their penalty area. Uruguay have scored only three goals from 44 shots, and their wasteful form in front of goal, combined with a run of five wins from 23 fixtures, suggests Spain can win to nil.

Cape Verde defender Roberto Lopes is an outside contender for a goal. Lopes will come forward for set pieces and he did manage one attempt against Uruguay. He also has a respectable strike rate for Shamrock Rovers with three goals in 13 league games so far this season.

Maxim De Cuyper somehow failed to score against Iran despite having five shots for Belgium, with four of those on target. The Brighton man proved to be a useful attacking outlet for his side in that game and he looks a solid outside contender for an anytime goal.

Veteran Iran defender Shoja Khalilzadeh looks good value for at least two fouls against Egypt. He has committed three infringements across two games and has been booked six times in 21 games for Tractor in the Persian Gulf Pro League.

Since winning Euro 2024, Spain have extended their unbeaten record to 28 matches, reaching the final of the Nations League and breezing through their World Cup qualifying campaign. European sides have historically struggled in tournaments held in other continents, but that trend appears to be turning. Spain won in South Africa in 2010, followed by Germany’s success in Brazil four years later. France were a shootout away from repeating the trick four years ago. There hasn’t been a World Cup final without a European side since 1950, and the European champions can extend that streak this summer.

Rayan Cherki had 12 Premier League assists for Manchester City this season and he also provided a further four in 11 games across their EFL Cup and FA Cup successes. France have an incredible attacking line-up and Cherki will be picking out passes for the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Desire Doue.

Portugal have landed in a winnable group alongside Colombia, DR Congo, and Uzbekistan. Winning that group would give them a softer run in the early knockout rounds, before a potential meeting with Argentina in the quarter-finals. They beat hosts Germany 2-1 in the Nations League semis before triumphing over Spain, and edging those big clashes suggests they could become the ninth country to win the World Cup.

World Cup surprise packages tend to have solid defensive records and a core group of quality players. Japan have some real midfield quality in Real Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo, Eintracht Frankfurt’s Ritsu Doan, and Liverpool’s Wataru Endo. After five straight wins to nil, Japan look capable of recording their best ever tournament finish this summer. The expanded field should play into their hands, but they’ve proven capable of upsetting football’s elite in the past.

Ecuador conceded only five goals across their 18 South American qualifiers, losing just two of 18 games across the toughest qualifying route in the world. They put together an 18-game unbeaten run ahead of the tournament, which is largely built on defensive solidity. While they aren’t thrilling in the final third, being hard to beat helped take Morocco and Croatia far four years ago. In a tournament where the heat is expected to work against progressive, attacking sides, Ecuador could thrive.

Ecuador conceded only five goals across their 18 South American qualifiers, losing just two of 18 games across the toughest qualifying route in the world. They put together an 18-game unbeaten run ahead of the tournament, which is largely built on defensive solidity. While they aren’t thrilling in the final third, being hard to beat helped take Morocco and Croatia far four years ago. In a tournament where the heat is expected to work against progressive, attacking sides, Ecuador could thrive.

Kylian Mbappe finished last season as the top scorer in La Liga with 25 goals and he scored five goals in four games during qualifying. France are among the tournament favourites and are likely to reach the latter stages and they will face Iraq, Senegal and Norway in the group stages, so Mbappe may be able to score a few goals in the earlier rounds.

Spain are the current favourites and seem set for a deep run at the World Cup. La Roja also have a kind draw with Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia joining them in Group H. Lamine Yamal scored 16 goals in La Liga for Barcelona in 28 games and is among the contenders to top the World Cup 2026 scoring charts.

Julian Alvarez has developed a reputation as a striker who raises his levels in cup competitions having scored 22 goals in 32 Champions League games for current club Atletico Madrid and Manchester City across the last three seasons. Argentina will face Algeria, Jordan and Austria in the group stages, so Alvarez could grab a few goals in the group phase and that makes him a contender to top the scoring charts.

In terms of technical ability Neuer is right up there with the best stoppers of all time and the fact he is now playing for a fairly average Germany side, by their standards anyway, could actually work in his favour in the battle for Golden Glove honours as he may have more saves to make and more work in terms of organising his defence.

Lamine Yamal is the most exciting attacking talent in a strong Spain side and he has a habit of scoring eye-catching goals, those attributes can be key in deciding where the player of the tournament award ends up.

Erling Haaland had 16 goals in eight games over qualifying and enjoyed another excellent season domestically with 38 goals across all competitions. Haaland’s Norway face France, Senegal and Iraq in the group stage and he could reach four goals in those three games alone.

World Cup surprise packages tend to have solid defensive records and a core group of quality players. Japan have some real midfield quality in Real Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo, Eintracht Frankfurt’s Ritsu Doan, and Liverpool’s Wataru Endo. After five straight wins to nil, Japan look capable of recording their best ever tournament finish this summer. The expanded field should play into their hands, but they’ve proven capable of upsetting football’s elite in the past.

Henry: Brazil lack the legs and tempo to expose disciplined defensive performances and that will be even more apparent with Raphinha now missing through injury. Scotland have a chance to dig in and make history by nicking this Miami contest.

Aaron: Ecuador have suffered one defeat in their last 21 internationals, and that was courtesy of an added-time winner in their tournament opener against the Ivory Coast. Given how a full-strength Germany side toiled in their second game, Ecuador are good value to at least avoid defeat in their final match.

Tom: South Korea still need to get a result to ensure they secure second spot in Group A and they should be able to rack up the goals against South Africa. South Korea beat the Czech Republic 2-1 in round one, while they were unlucky not to score against Mexico.

Aidan: The Dutch have scored seven goals in two games and can follow up their 5-1 thrashing of Sweden by picking up another high-scoring victory, which would also boost their hopes of securing top spot in the process.

Gareth: Paraguay were well beaten by the USA in their opener and then managed a smash-and-grab win over Turkiye. I’d argue Australia performed better in both of their games against those sides, hurting Turkiye on the counter and then putting USA under pressure late on after falling behind. A point would probably suit both sides but that isn’t really the Aussie way and they look backable as underdogs here.

Alex: Japan were clinical as they dismantled Tunisia last time out and were good value for their draw with the Oranje. With top spot still up for grabs in Group F, Samurai Blue can get the points against a Sweden side that were fortunate to qualify for the competition in the first place.

Warren: In Newcastle’s Yoane Wissa and Real Betis’ Cedric Bakambu, DR Congo have two top-class forward players who will prove a real handful for the Uzbek backline.

Second-placed Falkenberg have won four of their last six games, and they’ve won half of their away trips this season. However, they’ve conceded in all of their matches on the road, and they expect another thriller against a Brage side who have seen 4.5 goals scored per game at home this term.

France look the most likely to win against a defensively fragile Norway, but they could struggle at the back themselves. Les Bleus have scored exactly three goals in four of their last five games, so expect an end-to-end affair.

Senegal can overwhelm Iraq with their attacking talent and score at least two on route to the knockouts.

Over 2.5 goals has landed in seven of Waterford’s last eight, and they head to a Dundalk side aiming to build on a run of four wins from five. However, over 2.5 has landed in 60% of their home games, so back goals in this clash with Waterford shipping 28 goals across their 10 away trips.

Second-placed Falkenberg have won four of their last six games, and they’ve won half of their away trips this season. However, they’ve conceded in all of their matches on the road, and they can win another thriller against a Brage side who have seen 4.5 goals scored per game at home this term. The hosts haven’t beat anyone outside of the bottom five, and the visitors should prove too strong.

Shamrock Rovers have won eight of their 11 home matches, and the league leaders should see off a Galway United side that has lost all four visits to the top four so far this season. However, BTTS has landed in six straight away games for the visitors, while Rovers are looking a little shaky at the back.

Belgium may have underwhelmed at the World Cup so far but they are on a 15-game unbeaten run and their performances in North America still suggest they can overcome New Zealand, who lost 3-1 to Egypt last time out. The All Whites know only a win will do and they have scored three goals across their two games so back Belgium to win and concede.

St Pats have failed to score in all four visits to their fellow top four sides this season, and they’re backed to fall short at a Bohs side that won 3-0 at Shelbourne last time out.

Dundalk have won four of their last five games, and the hosts have scored in 10 straight home matches. Waterford are without a clean sheet on their travels this term, but they have scored 11 times across their 10 away trips, drawing 3-3 at Drogheda in their last game away from home.

Derry City return to the Brandywell, but their homecoming could be spoiled by a Drogheda side that has seen BTTS land in five of their last six games. The visitors have failed to score only once on their travels this term, while they’ve only kept one away clean sheet. With BTTS landing in each of Derry’s last four, this should be an entertaining game.

Shamrock Rovers have won eight of their 11 home matches, and the league leaders should see off a Galway United side that has lost all four visits to the top four so far this season. However, BTTS has landed in six straight away games for the visitors, while Rovers are looking a little shaky at the back.

Dundalk have won four of their last five games, and the hosts have scored in 10 straight home matches. Waterford are without a clean sheet on their travels this term, but they have scored 11 times across their 10 away trips, drawing 3-3 at Drogheda in their last game away from home.

Derry City return to the Brandywell, but their homecoming could be spoiled by a Drogheda side that has seen BTTS land in five of their last six games. The visitors have failed to score only once on their travels this term, while they’ve only kept one away clean sheet. With BTTS landing in each of Derry’s last four, this should be an entertaining game.

Two of the world’s best strikers are pitted against one another on Thursday and that should result in goals. Norway and France have scored 13 goals between them and both teams have found the net in eight of Norway’s last nine fixtures.

Shamrock Rovers have won eight of their 11 home matches, and the league leaders should see off a Galway United side that has lost all four visits to the top four so far this season. However, BTTS has landed in six straight away games for the visitors, while Rovers are looking a little shaky at the back.