Beachboy Football Tips

For a big upset, take Cape Verde. Strong African team who won their group, beating Cameroon, and who have had some decent results against Canada and others. Not complete outsiders. Conditions will suit, and if they can draw Spain they could win the group.

Come here very much as Africa's main contender following a string of good results. Conditions will suit, and I fancy they can get a result against Brazil, who might not be the force they were.

Came second in the qualifying stages, only beaten by Argentina. Very sound in all departments with top European players. I can see them being more suited to the conditions than Germany.

Egypt are a strong African team who only lost in the semis of the African Cup, maybe unlucky there. They have had some decent recent results, including a draw with Spain and a narrow loss to Brazil. They can win this group and progress far.

Ghana have run Germany close recently, and in the conditions likely to be faced they could emerge as a surprise. Good enough to also draw Wales and could just sneak the top berth here in a group that might have a few draws.

Austria have a team that works well and is littered with strong players. They come here in form, with wins in 4 of their last 5, and I can see them surprising a few.

The hosts will enter this a little nervous, and will be up against a team that has a high tendency to draw, with a number of recent draws versus Panama, Italy, Macedonia, etc.

Bosnia have drawn a number of recent games: Panama, North Macedonia, and others. Both teams will be content with a draw to ensure they probably get through the group.

Haiti are no fools and come here having defeated New Zealand 4-0 and pushed Peru close. They won't be bothered by conditions and could well beat Scotland.

Curaçao come here as the smallest nation to qualify. However, don't let that distort the quality of the team. It is heavily Dutch-based with a number of decent Dutch players. They come to this having been on a good run of wins, achieved a draw against Canada, and were beating Scotland until a bit of a second-half collapse. I will chance them to do better than expected.

This is a team that has beaten Cameroon and Serbia in the last 12 months, with a number of other good wins. They came out of their World Cup qualifier by winning their group, beating Cameroon. Viewed as no-hopers, they are better than that and can cause a surprise.

I'm not sure France will be fully effective in early games as they find the right formation and try to find a system with so many quality players. Senegal are well organised, and both teams may well be content with a draw.

A draw is going to suit both of these teams. This could become a dull match, as a point here and a win against another team will be enough for them both.

Bosnia love draws. Five of the last ten games were drawn against some decent teams. Both teams may well feel that a draw is sufficient at this stage. Don't expect an exciting game ??' a point each will suit.

Haiti are not complete outsiders and will be well prepped for this game. They have some good form, with wins against Costa Rica and New Zealand recently. Brazil may not be fully wound up for this game.

I suspect that by the time the game comes around both teams will be content with a draw. Both are very competitive and competent, and a draw will very much suit them.