Southgate seems to know his side for Tunisia clash
GARETH SOUTHGATE appeared satisfied with England's performance in Saturday's 2-1 friendly win over Nigeria and Hills believe the England manager knows his starting line-up for the first game of the World Cup.
The firm are betting on who starts the Group G fixture against Tunisia on June 18 and 11 players are priced up at 1-4 or shorter.Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, praised by Southgate for his decision-making against Nigeria, is 1-4 to get the nod while Jordan Henderson, rested on Saturday after playing in the Champions League final for Liverpool, is 1-5 to regain his spot against the north Africans.
Among the players Hills expect to be on the fringes of the starting 11 are 5-6 shots Ashley Young, Danny Rose and Harry Maguire. Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope is the 25-1 outsider to start England's World Cup campaign.
Harry Kane, who scored England's second goal against Nigeria, is 5-4 to be the Three Lions' top scorer at the finals. Gary Cahill, who headed in the opener, is 100-1 while no England goalscorer is a 66-1 chance.
England are 2-5 to beat Tunisia in their opening game and 13-10 to win the group, with Belgium 5-6 favourites to finish top of the section.The Belgians drew 0-0 with Portugal in a friendly on Saturday but coach Roberto Martinez has an injury concern after defender Vincent Kompany went off with a groin problem early in the second half.
Martinez's men are 11-1 to win the World Cup and Romelu Lukaku, who played 45 minutes against Portugal as he works his way back to full fitness after an ankle injury, is 18-1 to be top tournament goalscorer. Cristiano Ronaldo, rested by Portugal for the Belgium friendly, is 14-1.
Brazil forward Neymar returned from a broken foot with a bang yesterday, scoring a fine individual goal as the Selecao beat Croatia 2-0 at Anfield. Roberto Firmino added a second late on at his home ground.
Neymar's comeback will have delighted backers of 9-2 World Cup favourites Brazil and he is 12-1 to be the top scorer, behind Argentina's Lionel Messi at 10-1.
Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, Sky Bet's 7-2 favourite to win the Golden Glove, returned from a long-term foot injury against Austria but the world champions were beaten 2-1.
Joachim Low's side have been eased from 9-2 to 5-1 by Sky Bet to retain the trophy.