Match Preview: Tunisia vs. England

With the Monday night game in Volgograd looming, Gareth Southgate embarks on his first competitive match as the new England manager with his team facing Tunisia. The majority of the England squad are heading into this game as World Cup debutants, as only four of the 23 man squad were involved in Brazil four years ago. 

England’s preparations for this World Cup have differed from those seen at previous tournaments, as there is an unusually calm atmosphere amid players, fans and even the tabloids. However, this young England squad is expected to come away from the match with all three points. If they fail to achieve this, I am certain that the media will return to their critical stance on English football.

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England

The three-lions qualified for the tournament in fine fashion by winning eight and drawing two of their ten matches. I am sure that they will be determined to overturn their poor success rate at major tournaments, as England have failed to surpass the Quarter-Finals since their 1966 win.

The calm atmosphere in the England Camp has been predominantly created by the professionalism and tactics of Gareth Southgate. The England camp has been in positive spirits ahead of this first match, with many of the players believing that the manager is at the heart of this.

He has allowed each of the players' families to fly to Russia and has integrated them into the team’s downtime. Small gestures like this could be integral when it comes to easing the pressure off the players, allowing them to play with the freedom that we see on a weekly basis for their clubs.

Captain and key player Harry Kane will be central to any success in England, as he has transferred his club form into an England shirt by scoring 13 goals in 24 appearances. The Spurs striker will be hungry to sign his first World Cup off with a few goals as recent England strikers seem to have a habit of missing the mark at major competitions. 

I can see England starting the game well, as many of the young players will be looking to make a name for themselves on the world stage by attempting to overturn the stigma that previous England teams have created for them. 

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Tunisia

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The African outfit in Group G are playing their first World Cup since 2006 after they topped their group in qualifying by remaining unbeaten. However, they also possess the worst World Cup record as they have not won any of their eleven previous games. 

Manager Nabil Maalouls has made this Tunisian team hard to break down as they defend in numbers and I’m sure will be doing the same against England on Monday night. Their only loss in 2018 came against Spain where an 84th-minute winner decided the match.

However, Tunisia will be without their key forward, Youseff Msakni, who was left out of the squad because of a knee injury. The ex-Sunderland playmaker Wahbi Khazri will be feeling the pressure to get Tunisia into the game, especially with his fitness is being questioned after being out injured since April.

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Bookies Odds:

Tunisia – 15/2 

Draw – 16/5

England – 4/9 

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Predictions:

I believe Tunisia to be a good side who will be hard to break down but injuries to their star men will lead them not to make an impact on the game. I’m going for 2-0 England with Kane and Harry Maguire to get the goals.