Tunisia are making a surprise appearance at Russia 2018 after getting past Congo in qualification only to be drawn with England and Belgium.
Tunisia World Cup Betting Markets
Stage of Elimination
- Group Stage @ $1.11
- Round of 16 @ $6.50
- Quarter Final @ $19.00
- Semi Final @ $67.00
- Runners Up @ $151.00
- Winners @ $501.00
Draw
Group:
Tunisia have been drawn in Group G along with England, Belgium and Panama
Opponents:
Record vs England – W: 0, D: 1, L: 1
Last Meeting – 15 June 1998: Tunisia lost to England 0-2 (FIFA World Cup)
Record vs Belgium – W : 1, D: 1, L: 1
Last Meeting – 7 June 2014: Tunisia lost to Belgium 0-1
Record vs Panama – Never Played
Schedule:
Tuesday 19th June – 4:00am – Tunisia vs England
Saturday 23rd June – 10:00pm – Tunisia vs Belgium
Friday 29th June – 4:00am – Tunisia vs Panama
Group Ranking:
On the bright side for Tunisia, they are not going to be the least experienced side in their group with Panama making their World Cup debut.
That being said they will be up against it to get past one or both of England and Belgium before their final game against Panama may be to avoid the wooden spoon.
While they are a touch more likely to spring an upset, it is not going to be a wise investment.
Back Tunisia to Win Group G @ $15.00
World Cup History
Number of Appearances
4 – 1978, 1998, 2002, 2006
Best Performance
Group Stage – 1978, 1998, 2002, 2006
Match Record & Goals Tally
Played: 12, Won: 1, Drawn: 4, Lost: 7
Scored: 8, Conceded: 17
2018 Qualifying Campaign
Made the World Cup by…
Tunisia finished on top of CAF Qualification Group A giving them direct passage to Russia
Qualifying Record & Goals Tally
Played: 8, Won: 6, Drawn: 2, Lost: 0
Scored: 15, Conceded: 6
Story to Watch
Tunisia are ending a 12 year World Cup hiatus having posted a draw and two losses in each of their previous three appearances on the big stage.
Can they supress their natural flair and play conservatively to give themselves a chance early on in games?
Tunisia 2018 World Cup Squad
GOALKEEPERS
Farouk Ben Mustapha, Mouez Hassen, Aymen Mathlouthi
DEFENDERS
Rami Bedoui, Yohan Benalouane, Syam Ben Youssef, Dylan Bronn, Oussama Haddadi, Ali Maaloul, Yassine Meriah, Hamdi Nagguez
MIDFIELDERS
Wahbi Khazri, Anice Badri, Mohamed Amine Ben Amor, Ferjani Sassi, Ellyes Skhiri
FORWARDS
Saifeddine Khaoui, Fakhreddine Ben Youssef, Saber Khalifa, Bassem Srarfi, Naim Sliti, Ahmed Khalil, Ghaylen Chaaleli
Strengths
Tunisia are comfortable as underdogs having been drawn in the same qualifying group as Congo before managing to win at home and draw away to give them top spot in their group.
Weakness
Not a weakness per se but their gamesmanship will not win them any friends if they are in position to pick up a point during the group stage.
Notable Absentees
Tunisia are going to be without one of their best players and experienced heads in Youssef Msakni after a knee injury suffered in April ruled him out of the World Cup.
Key Player
Wahbi Khazri
The Rennes midfielder will be operating as the key playmaker from his midfield position and is going to have to take on even more responsibility with Msakni out injured.
Final Prediction
Those first two games against England and Belgium could get ugly if Tunisia are anywhere below their best.
Their final game against Panama will likely be a dead rubber which should give it the highest entertainment potential with two teams that have nothing to lose.
PREDICTION: GROUP STAGE
Best Bet: Tunisia to Finish Third in Group G @ $1.91
