The first World Cup semi-final dominates Tuesday’s landscape as European heavyweights France and Spain meet in Texas.
It’s an 8pm BST start in Dallas as Kylian Mbappe and Les Bleus’ attacking flair comes up against the possession-based control of Spain under Luis de la Fuente.
With the opening rounds of European qualifiers now also underway, there are Champions League and Conference League clashes also taking place closer to home.
As always we provide our bet of the day and value plays for your consideration…
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Tuesday football tips
Bet of the Day
Shamrock Rovers Over 2.5 Goals vs Floriana @ 7/5
League of Ireland champions Shamrock Rovers suffered a 2-0 loss against Maltese counterparts Floriana in their opening Champions League qualifier.
That game at the Centenary Stadium on the Mediterranean island was played in 30-degree heat and Rovers’ fortunes were not helped when influential midfielder Matt Healy collected two yellow cards in two minutes early in the second half.
The Hoops looked the better side for long spells in that game and boss Stephen Bradley admitted afterwards they have given themselves a mountain to climb.
Shamrock Rovers have the experience of playing group-stage football in Europe in recent seasons and should mount a major push to turn this around at Tallaght Stadium, where they have won nine of 12 league games this season (D2).
Bet Builder
Kylian Mbappe 2+ Shots on Target, Mikel Merino 1+ Shots on Target & Under 2.5 goals @ 8/1
Spain versus France has the potential of being a real chess match in Dallas, with La Roja likely to try and dominate possession in their quest to nullify the powerful attacking threats of Didier Deschamps’ side.
Kylian Mbappe already has eight goals at the World Cup from his 19 shots on target, averaging more than three per game. He can notch a couple more efforts on goal now.
Mikel Merino has twice come off the bench to score winning goals for Spain against Portugal and Belgium. The Arsenal midfielder has had four shots, with three on target and two goals from 136 minutes in the tournament. There is a chance Spain could be chasing this game and he will be a threat.
A goal-fest appears unlikely in what sets up for a tactical battle. Despite their attacking flair, under 2.5 goals have landed in France’s last two games and they have still conceded just two goals in six games.
Three of Spain’s six games have been under 2.5 goals, with two more seeing a third goal scored beyond the 88th minute.
Acca
Iberia Tbilisi, Sabah FC & FK Kauno Zalgriris all to win @ 27/4
Lithuanian side Kauno Zalgriris were held to a 1-1 home draw against Kosovan champions Drita in their Champions League qualifier last week with Blerim Krasniqi scoring a late leveller for the visiting side.
Drita had lost three friendlies in preparation for that game and also ended last season in the Superliga with three defeats.
Kauno Zalgriris are top of the pile domestically and have conceded just 15 goals in 19 games. They were 3-0 winners on Saturday and can claim victory in this second leg.
Sabah FC take a 2-0 lead to the Welsh borders to face The New Saints, the Azerbaijani side having totally dominated the first leg with 75 per cent possession. They can complete the job in style.
Iberia Tbilisi of Georgia were 3-2 first leg winners at Estonian champions Flora last week, racing into a 2-0 lead by the midpoint of the first half, while they had another chalked off before half-time. They should have no problems finishing the job on their own patch.
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