World Cup Tips: Monday's 8/1 Treble backs low scoring start for Southgate's England

England vs Iran – Half Time Draw

England aren’t renowned for adopting an expansive style of play in major tournaments and although they should win this opening fixture comfortably it has the potential to be a cagey opening 45 minutes as a injury hampered England look to find their rhythm.

Southgate’s conservative approach has got England to a semi-final and final in their last two major tournaments respectively and despite pressure to play a more attacking style of football it seems unlikely that Southgate will change the system that has got him this far.

For the opening leg of our World Cup treble we’ve gone for a draw at half-time with the expectation that England will sure things up at the back and look to win the game in the second 45.

Senegal vs Netherlands - Netherlands to Win

Despite what looks like a tricky opening fixture for Louis van Gaal’s Netherlands team they find themselves odds on favourites with bookmakers to pick up all three points. The Netherlands look a very solid outfit on paper and with a spine of Virgil van Dijk, Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay they’ve been tipped to go far in this competition.

Cody Gapko will also add dynamism in attack and will be hoping to make his mark on the biggest stage after enjoying an excellent season so far with PSV. They come into this match off the back of a very strong Nations League campaign and although the reigning AFCON Champions will pose a stern test we expect the Netherlands to justify favouritism with a win here.

USA vs Wales – Under 1.5 Goals

The second fixture of Group B sees Wales get their campaign underway as they face the United States and as we’ve predicted in the other fixture in Group B we are expecting another cagey affair. Both Wales and the USA will see this as a must-not-lose game with hopes of picking up points against Iran and England firm favourites to top the group.

Neither sides attacking line is in particularly good form with USA goalless in their last two and Wales struggling to find form up front. We expect both sides to remain compact and pick their moments to commit men forward and as a result we can see this ending in under 1.5 goals.