This is the beginning of it now.
The World Cup officially kicked off on Thursday but a meeting of the two lowest ranked teams in the entire tournament didn’t set the pulses racing.
So for the majority of us, the World Cup officially begins on Friday. Two mouthwatering clashes are set to take place on the second day of the world’s greatest tournament.
Every single match over the next month will be broadcast on RTÉ, while BBC and ITV also have some stellar pundit line-ups. You can view the day’s broadcasting details right here.
While it’s a shame we’re not there ourselves, Irish eyes will be glued to television screens and Friday promises to be a belter. While International football is famously difficult to read, everyone will have their own thoughts, fancies and predictions for the tournament as a whole.
Here’s our tip of the day.
Uruguay -1 to beat Egypt (7/5)
What a way to begin the day. Egypt have been rocked by the news that their talisman Mohammed Salah won’t make it to the Ekaterinburg Arena for his country’s opener.
https://twitter.com/pharaohs/status/1007564954126471168
There will be still however, be plenty of star quality on show, with Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani leading the line for Oscar Tabarez’s side.
Without Salah, Egypt have a substantially weaker hand and they’re up against it all here.
On the other hand, Uruguay, dark horses for this tournament, are a more evenly balanced outfit. It will take something special to get past Diego Godin at the back.
They shouldn’t have too many problems.
Portugal-Spain draw (9/4)
Spain are coming into this under a cloud after their manager Julen Lopetegui was sacked on the eve of the competition. They do, however, have a very strong squad full of wily heads and experience. This Iberian derby will give us the answer as to whether they are consequentially all over the shop or whether the upheaval has bound them closer together.
The Euro 2016 champions have a strong attack, led by Ronaldo, and the exciting Goncalo Guedes. In defence, Pepe and Bruno Alves are as mean as they come. Their battle with Diego Costa promises plenty of sparks.
With little separating the two, the value bet is the draw.
Morocco-Iran draw (15/8)
Morocco are favourites but Iran are galvanised. Neither team possess anything really special and the draw is again, the most likely result.
Worth a punt:
Cristiano Ronaldo is 9/2 to score first against Spain. Those odds are surely too generous to refuse.
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