The Daily Acca: It’s coming home

Bet 1: Back Colombia @ 9/10 – KO 15:00 BST

I think it’s fair to say that we can put a line through Colombia’s opening game defeat as they were 1-0 down with 10 men after the first five minutes. They showed their true self in their second outing against Poland, and while the Polish have underperformed, there is no denying that the South Americans looked very good.

James Rodriguez was back in the starting XI and he seems to bring out the best in the players around him. The South American qualifying section isn’t the easiest to progress from – just ask Chile – and the Colombians could be a bit of a sleeper in this tournament.

I was quite high on Senegal against both Poland and Japan, but I wasn’t overly impressed with them last time out as I feel they should have beaten the Japanese.

There are all sorts of permutations that could happen in this group, and it could be that the Africans fall into the trap of being negative and playing for the draw – something which often ends in tears.

Steve Rawlings has covered this match in full here.

Bet 2: Back England @ 17/10 – KO 19:00 BST

World Cup fever is gaining momentum across the country and if this game goes how I think it will, the streets will be lined with the St George’s Cross come 9pm.

Both England and Belgium have already booked their place in the last 16, so this match will simply determine who goes through as group winners. The winners will arguably end up in the tougher half of the draw, but there is a lot to be said for momentum, and it’s also worth remembering that these so called lesser teams are the ones who have knocked out the big guns.

I don’t think that there is too much between this pair on paper – I’d maybe favour the Belgians if they were both at full strength – but Roberto Martinez has already announced that he could make up to 10 changes, and Gareth Southgate should only make five or six.

Check out Dave Tindall’s view on this game.

Bet 3: Back Tunisia @ 20/23 – KO 19:00 BST

The other two Group G teams are Tunisia and Panama, and from what we’ve seen so far, it’s the former who are the stronger side.

Panama looked dreadful against England on Sunday and while they managed to hold Belgium at bay for the first half in their opener, that was probably more down to Belgium’s play than theirs.

The Africans were beaten quite heavily when they were last in action, but they looked dangerous going forward – as they did at times against England – and on balance, they should have the extra firepower required to get their World Cup win.

Dave Tindall’s full match preview can be found here.