While England will have a genuinely tough battle at the World Cup 2018 in the group stage against Belgium, their other two group match against Tunisia and Panama are expected to be won by the Three Lions. But are Gareth Southgate’s men in any danger of being embarrassed in the group stage? Frankly, this is not about pessimism, it is about a beat of realism because their track record in major international tournaments isn’t great.
Track record of failures
Look at their European Championship campaign two years ago. A 1-1 draw with Russia, a last-minute win over Wales and then a 0-0 draw with Slovakia. Then their big crash in the round of sixteen against Iceland. They didn’t exactly cover themselves in glory there. Four years ago at the 2014 World Cup, it was even worse for them as they limped out of the group stage with just the one point from their three games.
The defeats against Italy and Uruguay were hard to swallow yes, but at least they were against average quality opponents. But their 0-0 draw with Costa Rica in their final match summed them up, no fight and no desire, combined with a lack of quality saw them go home with their tails tucked well and truly between their legs. Go back a further four years to the 2010 World Cup and you may recall their 1-1 draw with the USA, their 0-0 draw with Algeria and then their 1-0 struggle against Slovenia.
So it’s not as if England haven’t been without their embarrassing results recently at major tournaments. Which makes the fact that they are taking on two relative minnows at the World Cup all that more nerve-wracking. The Three Lions should be going out and comfortably beating Panama and Tunisia but there is still an air of trepidation and all confidence is surely tinged with a drop or two of doubt about whether or not the Three Lions will actually be able to turn out the points.
England’s first test at the World Cup comes against Tunisia on June 18th and the Three Lions are 1/3 odds-on favourites at Bet365* (betting odds taken on March 5th, 2018 at 5:00 p.m.) to win that fixture. England went up against Tunisia at France ‘98 in the group stage and took a 2-0 win thanks to Alan Shearer and Paul Scholes getting on the scoresheet. Tunisia are currently ranked 23rd in the world and from their four previous World Cup appearances they have never managed to get past the group stage. In fact, their record is W1 D4 L7 from their twelve previous World Cup matches.
Not a threat but the African nation are likely going to be the ones who will come the closest to embarrassing England. We’re not suggesting that The Eagles of Carthage are going to go out and beat the Three Lions. However England weren’t a high scoring side in qualification against some average looking opposition and you wonder if they have the clinical finishing in them to see off a side who are likely just going to turn out and be as stubborn of a defensive side as they can be.
England should have fewer troubles against Panama because the quality of their defence and overall ability isn’t there compared to that of even Tunisia. They are making their debut in the competition and it is except that they will be going away from the experience without a point and without a goal. It just appears to be one of those World Cup games which not even England can stuff up. England take on Panama on June 24th and they are 4/5 odds at bet365 to win to nil* (betting odds taken on March 5th, 2018 at 5:00 p.m.).
England are 11/5 odds at bet365* (betting odds taken on March 5th, 2018 at 5:00 p.m.) to go home at the stage of last sixteen and are a massive 7/1 to screw things up royally and go home at the group stage. They should be in the round of sixteen. Can they get there without embarrassment?
