tadley

Cape Verde topped their group in qualifying and had an impressive 3-0 win over Serbia in a warm-up. However, that may flatter them, with a recent draw against Iran and a 4-2 loss to Chile giving a more realistic indication of their strength. Spain is a major step up from the sides they've been playing. Spain are capable of brushing aside stronger sides than Cape Verde, so I can see them winning by 3 or 4.

Real Sociedad striker Oyarzabal bagged 15 goals for them last season and will undoubtedly lead the line for Spain today. He started 8 games for Spain this year, scoring 9 times. In a game Spain should dominate, he looks the most likely scorer.

Kevin Lenini was on the bench for the last game against Bermuda but should start today. He largely plays a holding midfield role and will be expected to break up the Spanish moves. He will likely have his hands full today. He picked up five cards this season for Russian side Krasnodar and six the previous season. He is therefore no stranger to cards and will do well to avoid one.

Spain can chalk up large volumes of corners, with them winning at least five in their last 11 games. Numerous times this year and last they reached a double-figure tally by themselves. In a game they are expected to dominate, I can see them getting very close to this line by themselves. Cape Verde surely can't keep Spain out, so at some time they will have to come out and attack. Their nine against Bermuda shows that they should add something to the tally.

Adham Makhadmeh is the referee, who has averaged 4.8 cards per game this season, so 2.5 doesn't look a tough ask. Cape Verde should be under an awful lot of pressure, and that could well create plenty of cards. I can see them going over this line by themselves.

Belgium flopped at the last World Cup and in qualification, but they came through qualification unbeaten and do have some quality about them. Egypt are a strong African side, but I prefer Belgium. Playing African sides should hold no fears for them, as they thrashed Tunisia 5-0 in a warm-up. Admittedly Egypt are strong, but it's been a while since they played a European side and they've never won a game at a World Cup finals. Belgium look the stronger outfit and should do enough to win.

Belgium are a free-scoring side, but they don't look the strongest defensively when not at home. In their four away qualification games they only kept a clean sheet against a poor Liechtenstein side. They conceded against Wales twice, North Macedonia, and Kazakhstan. Egypt are a quality African side and can net, but I don't see them keeping Belgium out.

Egypt defend well, but Belgium get into the box an awful lot, which should put them under a lot of pressure. This can easily result in a penalty from a foul or handball. Wales fell foul to this twice in qualification, with Belgium winning two penalties and De Bruyne scoring them both. Penalties isn't his only route to goal, as we've all seen how impressive he can be. I think he has a decent chance of finding the net.

Mohamed Hany should start at right back for Egypt and could be in for a busy afternoon. With Doku and Castagne likely to be charging down the wing, he looks sure to be under pressure. A similar situation arose last time against Brazil when a poor first-half tackle saw him pick up a yellow.

African sides don't traditionally win a large amount of corners, but Egypt are one of the stronger sides. I suspect they will have to push forward at some stage against a dangerous Belgium side, especially if going behind, so I can see them winning around 4. Belgium can be big corner winners, as their 12 in the last game against Tunisia showed. I think this could be an entertaining match.

Decoy Oola looks the one to be on here. She has the fastest time and fastest break in the field. With trap 5 empty and trap 3 a slow starter, she should get a nice clear run to the bend.

Bielsa can be a tad one-dimensional and doesn't often have a plan B. His teams press heavily and run all day. That has two drawbacks: one, the heat; and two, a good passing team can run them ragged. Saudi Arabia are a surprisingly decent passing side that have the ability to pass through Uruguay. They won their opening game last time when causing a major upset by beating Argentina. I think they could surprise.

Phillies appear to have a clear edge in the pitching matchup. Zack Wheeler for the Phillies has a 5-1 record and a 2.22 ERA. He also goes six or seven innings, so the bullpen won't have a lot to do. Marlins have Gausman on the mound, who never sticks around long and has a 13.5 road ERA.

Reds pitcher Chase Burns has been mighty impressive: a 2.14 ERA, a 0.99 WHIP, and a 7-1 record. He has 88 strikeouts this season, so scoring runs against him won't be easy. Myers is on the mound for the Mets, and he is basically a bullpen pitcher, so he won't go more than a couple of innings. This looks a tough ask for the Mets.

Twins don't travel well, with just 13 wins from 34 games. I don't like the pitching matchup for them either. They don't name a starter, meaning a bullpen game for them, which is bad news as they have the worst bullpen in the MLB with an ERA of 5.40. Rangers have Gore on the mound, who has a 2.09 ERA at home.

Clare won in 2024, but last year it didn't go well. Severe injury problems probably took their toll. They look in better shape this time and can certainly mix it with the best.

Lancashire underperformed, finishing 5th despite having a strong squad. They've really impressed with signings over the winter, enrolling quality players at this level, so I see them doing a lot better than 5th.

Warwickshire finished down in 5th last season but were hampered by drawing nine games, the most in the league. They've strengthened their squad and look capable of a better performance this season.

Verstappen kept himself in the title race last season despite clearly not having the best car. That speaks volumes about his skill, which should see him once again go well this season. Despite him slamming the new regulation, it should be to his benefit as he has the skills to master the new designs. The Red Bull has looked very promising in practice, so I rate him as the most likely winner.