Goran Paladin shares his picks and plays for Day 5 of the World Cup.
Arguably the two best teams in Group G open their accounts against one another, with so many rockstars of world football on display. Egypt with Mo Salah and Omar Marmoush, while Belgium’s golden generation seems to go on and on – Jeremy Doku, Leandro Trossard, Lois Openda and Kevin De Bruyne are all expected to play huge roles for the Red Devils.
Belgium will control the game and have the majority of possession and field position, but Egypt will be absolutely lethal in transitional moments when the ball is eventually turned over. How many times over the years have we seen Salah lead a breakout for Liverpool? He’s an expert on the counter and has the ability to find an outrageous finish or assist. With the pacey Marmoush alongside, the Belgian defensive unit will need to be on high alert. These moments should be fleeting however; with De Bruyne pulling the strings in midfield, and the electric Doku out wide mesmerising defenders with his audacious skill, the Egyptians would be grateful to secure a point in this clash. The African nation doesn’t have a history of success on the grandest stage of them all, and are yet to post a single win at a World Cup. They won’t register a point here, as Belgium secures all three points.
Tips
Best Bet: Belgium 2-0 Correct Score @ $7.00
Best Goalscorer: Leandro Trossard ATS @ $3.40
Same Game Multi: Under 2.5 goals + Belgium Win @ $3.40
While there is plenty of excitement for what the All Whites might achieve here, there are still so many questions around team selection and goal scoring which makes me just a little bit nervous. Let’s start with the Starting XI, which as far as I can tell, has only 4 or 5 nailed-on starters. Is Alex Paulsen a better option than Max Crocombe in goal? With so many outfield players currently managing minutes, who will be fit enough to play this game?? Libby Cacace looked short of a gallop against England, so does that open the door for Francis De Vries, or Ben Old to occupy a deeper role? Sarpreet Singh hasn’t looked in vintage form, and we didn’t see a single second of Ryan Thomas in the preparation matches. The issue here isn’t quality, far from it – this is a stacked NZ squad. It’s the lack of minutes in the legs for key players that will trouble All Whites supporters.
Whoever Darren Bazeley selects, the message will be clear and simple: supply Chris Wood with quality delivery to score New Zealand’s goals. We have a big, Premier League quality striker in Woodsy, so play to his strengths – from wide areas just put the ball on his head in the penalty box. Through the middle of the park, Elijah Just with creativity and Matt Garbett with energy and courage will play the role of Woodsy’s supporting cast in the attacking end. All of their endeavours must lead to a final pass for Wood to feed off.
Chances will be hard to muster against Iran, who rank as Asia’s second-best football side. That’s better than Australia who beat New Zealand twice the past 12 months, higher than South Korea too who most kiwi fans would view as terrifying. If recent history tells us anything, it’s that the kiwis will concede; in 12 matches after qualifying for the World Cup, they’ve held a team scoreless only once. Therefore, we embrace that fact, rewind the clock 16 years and lock in a 1-1 draw in our opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Come on you All Whites!!
Tips
Best Bet: DRAW @ $3.40
Best Goalscorer: Mehdi Taremi FIRST Goalscorer @ $5.00
Same Game Multi: Draw + Mehdi Taremi ATS @ $12.37
World Cup Videos
