Belgium vs Panama
The Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi is the place to be on Monday afternoon local time when the highly fancied Belgium take on newcomers Panama.
Ranked third in the world, the Red Devils have a real chance to go some distance in Russia, and World Cup 2018 betting odds say they should make short work of the Central Americans.
Talking Points
When will this golden generation of Belgium stars finally perform to their ability? In Euro 16 they went out to Wales, bizarrely losing 3-1 after going ahead. Of the Wales squad, only Gareth Bale would get anywhere near Belgium’s first eleven, but winning isn’t a right. You have to earn it, sweat blood and fight to the death. Is the World Cup 2018 the Red Devils’ moment of destiny?
The English Premier League is littered with Belgium superstars from the back to the front. Chelsea’s Eden Hazard is a quick-footed talent who can create something from nothing in an instant, dance around tackles and win games single-handedly. And Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne was on track to win the EPL Player of the Season before Mo Salah ripped the league up in 2018.
Manchester United’s Romelu Lukaku arrives in Russia bang in form, scoring in a warm-up against Egypt and then grabbing a brace against Costa Rica. At the back, the Red Devils have the giant presence of Thibaut Courtois in the nets. It will be well worth watching PSG’s right wing-back Thomas Meurnier as he’s just as comfortable in the tackle as he is raiding the wing and providing a supply line to the strikers.
We can carry on forever looking at Belgium’s list of talents; Napoli’s midfield maestro Dries Mertens has had a great season in Serie A, but can Roberto Martinez turn this ridiculously gifted bunch into winners? World Cup glory would mean immortality.
He has to start by beating Hernan Dario Gomez’ Panama in Sochi which makes an appearance at the World Cup finals for the first time. But they do have some experience on their side.
Jaime Penedo will be the man between the sticks charged with keeping Hazard, De Bruyne and Lukaku at bay, and he says his team is determined to enjoy the experience of playing the best teams in the world. At 36, this is the Dinamo Bucharest keeper’s one and only chance to play in the greatest show on earth, and he knows he’s fortunate to be there.
Strike partners Blas Perez and Luis Tejada, at 37 and 36, have seniority on their side too, though I’m not sure how much that will help them keep up with Belgium’s quicksilver youngsters!
Panama qualified thanks to a victory over Costa Rica, but the winning goal never actually crossed the line, so Penedo and pals are thanking their lucky stars they didn’t have goal-line technology there. And that meant no World Cup for the USA.
History
This is Belgium and Panama’s first ever meeting, which is no surprise as they have followed very different paths.
Belgium have recently flirted with success and really should have made the Euro 16 final. They did make World Cup semi-final in Brazil in 2014. They open their campaign here in great form, with four wins in five, scoring 12 and conceding just once in the process.
In Panama’s first appearance at the finals, they have found themselves in a tough group for sure. With England and Tunisia to come, it doesn’t get a whole lot easier. They arrive on the back of three defeats in five including a 6-0 spanking at the hands of Switzerland. And the only goal they scored in that sequence was a 93rd-minute winner over Trinidad and Tobago courtesy of Josiel Nunez, from all of 35 yards.
So I don’t expect Panama to get too close to Thibaut Courtois’ goal and any World Cup 2018 highlights!
What are the odds?
Our SBOBET odds point to a two-goal win for the Red Devils with a Belgium victory at 1.98 with a -2.00 goals handicap. Panama are available at 1.96 with that two-goal start, and the draw is at a huge 6.60.
It will be an achievement for Panama to get to half-time unscathed, with a first 45-minute stalemate at odds of 2.85 with Belgium at 1.55 to be ahead at that point. Panama are 9.50 to be ahead at the break if you’re feeling adventurous!
There should be goals in this one either way, and over 2.75 is a likely outcome at 1.85, while under 2.75 goals is 2.05.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE WORLD CUP 2018 STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
