Germany have established a firm grip of Group E at the World Cup following a 7-1 mauling of Curacao in their first match, and they will be looking to push on against Ivory Coast in Toronto on Saturday.
The African side also claimed a victory in their opener against Ecuador, while the two teams who started with defeat will hope to revive their fortunes in their Kansas City showdown.
Group F was always anticipated to be a three-way battle between the Netherlands, Sweden and Japan and that was emphasised in the first two matches.
The Dutch and Japanese shared four goals while Graham Potter’s Swedes took the bull by the horns with a 5-1 win over Tunisia, who promptly sacked manager Sabri Lamouchi.
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Netherlands vs Sweden (Saturday, 6pm)
The Netherlands will rue the fact they allowed Japan to grab a late equaliser in Sunday’s 2-2 draw and they face a Swedish team who look to be at the top of their game.
The Dutch cannot afford another slip-up but should be able to take another point from this one, even if Graham Potter’s Swedes have recovered well from a miserable qualifying campaign in which they did not win a single match.
Their Nations League performance got them into the play-offs and, after coming through games against Ukraine and Poland as well as their opening tournament win over Tunisia, they are looking to make up for lost time, so another high-scoring draw beckons.
Netherlands vs Sweden - Draw @ 27/10
Score prediction: Netherlands 2-2 Sweden
Germany vs Ivory Coast (Saturday, 9pm)
Ivory Coast left it late to claim a 1-0 win over Ecuador but Amad Diallo’s goal could prove priceless for the Elephants and, with three points in the bag, they have nothing to lose against Germany.
Their opponents cruised past Curacao, but they still allowed the minnow to get on the scoresheet and that could be repeated in Toronto.
Four of Germany’s last five games have been wins in which both teams have scored and that could prove the case again when they face the adventurous West Africans.
Germany to win & both teams to score @ 37/20
Score prediction: Germany 2-1 Ivory Coast
Ecuador vs Curacao (Sunday, 1am)
Ecuador had high hopes of doing well at the World Cup after finishing second in qualifying behind Argentina, where their defensive resolve came to the fore.
That should be the case again in Kansas City where Curacao will hope to put the disappointment of their mauling against the Germans behind them.
Just two of Ecuador’s last nine games have featured more than two goals and with their opponents determined to give a better account of themselves at the back, it may not be a cricket score.
Score prediction: Ecuador 2-0 Curacao
Tunisia vs Japan (Sunday, 5am)
Tunisia have brought in the experienced Herve Renard in their hour of need following their 5-1 thumping by Sweden, but the Frenchman may have bitten off more than he can chew.
His new charges dominated a poor qualifying group before being found out by Belgium in a 5-0 friendly defeat before their capitulation against the Swedes.
Japan have proved themselves up to the challenge against top European sides in recent World Cups and should be able to bank a comprehensive victory in Monterrey.
Score prediction: Tunisia 0-3 Japan
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