The 2022 FIFA World Cup really cranks into gear on Tuesday as Groups C and D get underway. Below you can find some key stats and tips to help you with your big match predictions!
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Group C: Argentina vs Saudi Arabia (22/11, 12pm SAST)
Argentina:
- Argentina's FIFA world ranking is 3rd. Their current form is WWWWW.
- Lionel Messi leads the Argentine side in what could be his final World Cup. Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez and Benfica's Enzo Fernandez are ones to watch.
- Argentina are on a 33-match unbeaten run dating back to July 2019. They have kept 13 clean sheets in their last 15 matches.
- Argentina won the 2021 Copa America and have two World Cup crowns to their name, most recently in 1986.
Saudi Arabia:
- Saudi Arabia are ranked 51st in the world, the second-lowest in the tournament. Their form reads: DDWDL.
- Their key player is midfielder Salem Al-Dawsari of Al-Hilal.
- Saudi Arabia have failed to score in five of their eight matches since June 2022.
- Herve Renard's Saudi Arabia have failed to get out of the group in their last four World Cups.
Predicted Result: Argentina WIN. Anything less than a convincing victory would be a surprise.
Recommended Scoreline Options: 3-0 or 4-0
Group D: Denmark vs Tunisia (22/11, 3pm SAST)
Denmark:
- Denmark are ranked 10th in the world having made it to the 2020 UEFA European Championship semi-finals. Their form guide is WLWLW.
- The Danes have a very strong midfield, including Christian Eriksen (Manchester United) and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Tottenham Hotspur).
- Denmark topped their World Cup qualification group with nine wins in 10 matches, with just three goals conceded.
- Denmark failed to qualify for two of the last four World Cups. Their best-ever performance was making the quarter-finals in 1998.
Tunisia:
- The Carthage Eagles sit 30th in FIFA's World Rankings. Their recent results read as follows: DWWWL.
- Vastly experienced Wahbi Khazri is a key man in attack. Midfielder Hannibal Mejbri is on Manchester United's books and is one to watch.
- They reached the World Cup after beating Mali 1-0 on aggregate in the play-offs. Tunisia lost 5-1 to Brazil in their last match.
- Tunisia have played in five previous World Cups without ever reaching the knockout stage. They've won just one of their last 12 fixtures in the tournament.
Predicted Result: Denmark WIN. The Danes have a very solid defence to fall back on.
Recommended Scoreline Options: 1-0 or 2-0
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Group C: Mexico vs Poland (22/11, 6pm SAST)
Mexico:
- El Tri rank 13th in the world, according to FIFA. Their recent form is inconsistent: LWLWL.
- In attack, Wolverhampton Wanderers' Raul Jimenez and Napoli speed merchant Hirving Lozano are crucial players, while Ajax Amsterdam's Edson Alvarez anchors the midfield.
- Mexico have lost three of their last five matches. They were dealt friendly defeats by Paraguay, Colombia and Sweden.
- Mexico are playing their eighth successive World Cup. All seven of their previous tournaments saw them exit in the Round of 16.
Poland:
- The Poles sit 26th in the most recent FIFA World Rankings. Their five most recent fixtures were: DLLWW.
- Robert Lewandowski is the side's lynchpin up front with 76 goals in Poland colours. Napoli's Piotr Zielinski has been superb in midfield this season.
- Poland qualified by beating Sweden in the play-offs. They lost three of their six matches in the recent UEFA Nations League.
- Poland finished third in the 1974 and 1982 World Cups. The last eight World Cups have seen them qualify just twice, both group-stage exits.
Predicted Result: DRAW. This could be a tight game and also a key one in the race to qualify.
Recommended Scoreline Options: 1-1 or 2-2
Group D: France vs Australia (22/11, 9pm SAST)
France:
- France sit 4th in the FIFA World Rankings, but briefly sat top after winning the World Cup in 2018. Their recent form is: DDLWD.
- N'Golo Kante, Paul Pogba and Karim Benzema all miss the tournament through injury. Kylian Mbappe is the key man up front.
- Les Bleus have won just once in six matches as they conceded in five of those fixtures in the UEFA Nations League.
- France won the 1998 and 2018 World Cups. The last time they were holders, they were knocked out in the group stage in 2002.
Australia:
- The Socceroos are ranked 38th in the world by FIFA. Their recent form reads: WWDWW.
- Hellas Verona midfielder Ajdin Hrustic is a key man, while Kenya-born winger Awer Mabil (Cadiz) is one to watch.
- Australia had a tough time in qualifying and had to overcome UAE and Peru in the play-offs.
- Australia's best World Cup performance was reaching the round of 16 in 2006. They were knocked out in the group stage in 2010, 2014 and 2018.
Predicted Result: France WIN. Despite their injuries, France should get a hard-fought three points.
Recommended Scoreline Options: 2-1 or 3-1
