Welcome to the fourth article in our series of eight in which we look at all eight opening phase groups of the forthcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
It is hard to imagine that this time next week we will be on the eve of the first game of the competition, which starts on Sunday 20th November with the game between the hosts Qatar and Ecuador.
We’ll be continuing our look through each of the eight groups throughout next week leading into the tournament itself and of course, we’ll be giving you our tips and insights into who we think will qualify from each of the groups to reach the knockout phase.
Bet365 Sport has already got plenty of markets up for you to bet on at the moment on the tournament and as the competition gets underway you will have plenty of great match betting available on all games, and extensive In Play betting too.
And don’t forget to check out bet365’s Fantasy Sports for some World Cup fantasy offerings too.
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We’re continuing our countdown of the tournament with a look at the teams featuring in Group D which includes a couple of major contenders from Europe, as well as a number of top superstars from World Football, including Kylian Mbappe.
Group D looks pretty straightforward in that the two European giants, France and Denmark, will be the favourites to progress, but while this Australia side is not as strong as some of their teams of past World Cup tournaments, it may be wrong to assume that Tunisia are going to lie down and let the two big guns dominate the group.
The African side may not have too many household names in their squad, but they are a very well organised unit and it is worth noting how hard they pushed England in their opening game of the last World Cup, where it took an injury time Harry Kane goal to hand England the win.
Even so, France and Denmark should still qualify, but I can see this group perhaps seeing a couple of unusual results, meaning that qualification is not perhaps so straight forward for the two European teams.
France’s Probable Best XI – (3-4-1-2) – Lloris (GK), Varane (DC), Kounde (DC), Saliba (DC), Pavard (DMR), Mendy.F (DML), Tchouameni (MC), Camavinga (MC), Griezmann (AMC), Mbappe (AC), Benzema (AC)
France won’t have been too happy at being drawn in the group with Denmark, a team who beat them home and away in the recent Nations League tournament, but at a World Cup Finals, the French tend to find a different level and I would expect them to do that here.
Didier Deschamps team has been beset by injuries with Kante and Pogba ruled out of the tournament which is a big blow for them, but they do have Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema to lead the attack, which is arguably the best 1-2 attacking duo in the tournament.
Defensively, France have looked a little suspect of late but they should not be too troubled by Australia in their opening game and they’ll also hope to pick up a win over Denmark to leave them free to rest players for the Tunisia game.
Australia’s Probable Best XI – (4-1-4-1)- Ryan (GK), Atkinson (DR), Behich (DL), Rowles (DC), Wright (DC), Mooy (DMC), Boyle (MR), Leckie (ML), Hrustic (MC), Rogic (MC), Duke (AC)
I don’t see this Australia team being anywhere near as strong as some of the Socceroo teams of the past and I think that they may well struggle in this group and could end up without a point at the conclusion of their three games.
They are not without talent, but in the past they have been able to call upon players playing regularly in the top European leagues, that is something missing from this squad and as a result, I can see them struggling.
They did give France a real test in the last World Cup in 2018, losing narrowly in the group stages but I think they may well find things tougher in their opening game against the French here and that could set the tone for a tough campaign for the Aussies.
Denmark’s Probable Best XI – (4-3-3) – Schmeichel (GK), Nissen (DR), Maehle (DL), Andersen (DC), Christensen (DC), Hobjeg (MC), Eriksen (MC), Delaney (MC), A.S.Olsen (AML), M.Damsgaard (AMR), Dollberg (AC)
One of the most underrated teams in the tournament, the Danes have recently completed a double over France in the Nations League and also reached the semi-finals of the Euro 2020 tournament before losing narrowly to England in extra time.
They are a disciplined, well-organised and talented team that have one of the best midfield trios in the tournament of Hojbjerg, Erikssen and Delaney. Their endeavour and skill has proven the foundation for the best Danish performances of recent times.
I expect the Danes to push France hard in this group and while they could win it, I think the heat and the fact this is a World Cup, may just tip the odds slightly in favour of the French to win the group. However, I expect the Danes to finish second in the group without too many problems.
Tunisia’s Probable Best XI – (4-3-3)- Ben Said (GK), Drager (DR), Haddadi (DL), Ifa (DC), Bronn (DC), Skhiri (MC), Ben Slimane (MC), Laidouni (MC), Khazri (AMR), Msakni (AML), S.Jaziri (AC)
For me, Tunisia are clearly the third best team in this group and they are a tad unfortunate to have been drawn with one of the most in-form teams in Europe, as well as the current World Champions as I feel in another group, they may have had a real chance of reaching the Round of 16 for the first time.
A well organised side who are very strong defensively, goalscoring tends to be their problem against the top sides but they have some real quality in attack, with Khazri and Jaziri offering the most potent threat.
It’s going to be tough for them against France and Denmark and I think they will give these two teams a real run for their money and I do expect them to get the better of Australia, but to ultimately just miss out on qualifying.
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