Betfred’s World Cup preview show is here and Robert Earnshaw and Paul Robinson have discussed everything from England hopes to the potential winners of the tournament. With the Qatar vs Ecuador curtain raiser starting on Sunday, the excitement for the tournament is beginning to build.
But who do the esteemed pundits think will lift the trophy a week before Christmas?
“I’ve been saying for a year and a half now that I think Argentina will win it,” Earnshaw, who made 59 appearances for Wales, says on Betfred’s World Cup Show.
“They really struggled a few years ago, everything was in disarray - even Messi quit at one point. Then they turned it around, Scaloni the manager came in and he got everyone together. They are on a 35 game unbeaten run and now I think they are ready. They are a team and with Messi there, they are my pick.”
READ MORE:
- Betfred World Cup odds*
- The man who helped make Jude Bellingham
- Cristiano Ronaldo's controversial quotes
It’s a line of thought that the bookmaker and Robinson himself believes in.
“I think it's South America’s year. I like Argentina but I also like Brazil. I think they are your two bankers for this tournament. Where the tournament is, the climate it is taking place in, you look at their squads. The French are probably the only ones that could rival these two squads. But for me it is going to South America this year.”
Gareth Southgate’s England side head to Qatar today and travel with hopes of winning their first major tournament since 1966, having reached the final of Euro 2020 last time out. But the former England goalkeeper, who made a World Cup quarter-final in 2006, thinks that any expectations should be tempered.
“From an England point of view, it is going to be tough for them,” Robinson claims. “I don’t put them as high up in the betting table as outright winners as we do and there will be a lot of betting in this country on the England team. I think there are stronger teams. I think England have struggled when they’ve played against strong opposition. You look at the Euros, they haven’t played Belgium, they haven’t played France, they haven’t played Spain. You chuck the South American teams into that - Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, to mention just six teams. It’s going to be a very difficult ask for England.
“Since the Euros, I think the team has regressed, in the Nations League he’s tried different formations and different players in attacking places because our strength is in attack but he hasn’t got that right formula. We don’t appreciate the art of defending in this country, but I think we will try and win games 1-0 and get through like in the Euros.”
Meanwhile, the two pundits had opposing views on England’s most divisive player, Trent Alexander-Arnold.
“The one I don’t get is Trent Alexander-Arnold, he’s got to play for me,” Earnshaw states.
“You have one of the best attacking players. Okay, defensively he is vulnerable but he gives so much going forward. There’s a negativity in England to criticise somebody who is actually brilliant, and everybody realises they are brilliant, but they don’t really want to play them - like Jude Bellingham is another one - he has got to play. Foden, he has got to play. I think this is a transition now for England. The Sterlings, they’ve been in tournaments, not really performing lately, there has got to be a changeover now to release your best players.
“I think Gareth Southgate recently - he loves the back five - that is what he is prepared for. I’d love to see a back four but I don’t think he will do that. But the number one forward is Harry Kane, as long as he is fit then England have a chance.”
But Robinson was having none of it.
“Trent can’t play. The form he is in this year. The goals he has cost Liverpool. Where he is in his headspace confidence wise. Kieran Trippier has been different class at Newcastle, Kyle Walker if he is fit is a better defender than him. England have been susceptible defensively. What he gives going forward, I completely agree with you, but where he is performance and confidence wise - you can’t play him.”
England get their World Cup journey underway on Monday afternoon at 1pm and are 9/1 to win the competition with Betfred.
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject To Change
