PrepSunday, June 21

Spain and Uruguay Face Must-Not-Lose Tests as Group H Comes Into Focus

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After Japan's 4-0 demolition of Tunisia locked up Group F's top two spots, Sunday's slate pivots to Group H—where all four sides sit level on one point—and Group G's equally compressed table, with Belgium and Egypt looking to assert themselves.

The pool has gone all-in on the favourites: 73 of 74 backed Spain, 70 of 74 took Uruguay, and 62 of 74 fancied Belgium—leaving almost no margin for the upsets that make group-stage football dangerous.

Spain vs Saudi Arabia: La Roja Must Capitalize

Spain open Group H play under pressure to take three points after a frustrating 1-1 draw with Cape Verde in their opener. The bookmakers make them overwhelming favourites—around 1.20 per multiple outlets—and the pool agrees, with 73 of 74 picking a Spanish win and half expecting a clean 2-0 or 3-0 scoreline. Luis de la Fuente's side should control possession, but Saudi Arabia showed defensive discipline in their own 0-0 draw with Uruguay and will sit deep again. Spain need Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams to stretch the Green Falcons' low block and create space for Álvaro Morata or Mikel Oyarzabal to finish. A win puts Spain in control; anything less keeps Group H wide open heading into Matchday 3.

Uruguay vs Cape Verde: Darwin's Moment

Uruguay know a win moves them clear in a congested group, and Darwin Núñez will be looking to make amends after squandering chances in the scoreless opener against Saudi Arabia. The market backs La Celeste heavily—around 1.30 per aggregated lines—and so does the pool, with 70 of 74 expecting a Uruguayan victory and 29 of those predicting 2-0. Cape Verde, surprise 1-1 draw-makers against Spain, will need their organized defence and Bebé's creativity to frustrate Marcelo Bielsa's attackers again. Núñez, Federico Valverde, and the ageless Luis Suárez (if he features) will probe for the breakthrough, but Cape Verde have already shown they can hang with the group's heavyweights. A point for the island nation would be seismic.

Belgium vs Iran: The Golden Generation's Crossroads

Group G remains deadlocked at one point apiece, and Belgium can ill afford another underwhelming performance after labouring to a 0-0 draw with New Zealand. The Red Devils are clear favourites—around 1.40 according to available odds—and 62 of 74 pool members expect them to deliver, with 26 plumping for 2-0. Kevin De Bruyne will orchestrate from midfield, but Romelu Lukaku's form and finishing remain question marks after he failed to convert in the opener. Iran, who held Egypt to a 0-0 stalemate, will deploy their trademark defensive resilience under Carlos Queiroz and look to hit on the counter through Mehdi Taremi and Sardar Azmoun. Belgium's aging core need a statement win to prove they can still contend; Iran would love nothing more than to frustrate them again.

New Zealand vs Egypt: The Group G Wild Card

The All Whites and the Pharaohs both earned creditable draws in Matchday 1—New Zealand holding Belgium, Egypt blanking Iran—and a win for either side would vault them into pole position in Group G. The market and the pool both lean toward Egypt: 49 of 74 picked an Egyptian victory, with another 20 forecasting a draw, and bookmakers list the Pharaohs as slight favourites around 2.10. Mohamed Salah will carry Egypt's hopes, though he was relatively quiet in the opener, and the midfield creativity of Mohamed Elneny will be key to unlocking New Zealand's disciplined shape. The Kiwis, marshalled by Winston Reid at the back, will relish the underdog role and look to exploit set pieces. With Belgium and Iran facing off simultaneously, this match could define who sneaks through from the group's bottom half.

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