FOOTBALL: WORLD CUP BETTING

DESPITE MEDIOCRE recent form in friendlies England should beat Tunisia (perhaps 2-0) at Marseilles this afternoon. He has not exactly promised to be the force he was in Euro 96 since returning from injury but, even so, Shearer looks a fair bet to be first goalscorer.

Romania, although plagued by internal disputes, have a touch of class and should beat Colombia (maybe 3-1), whose defensive frailties were ruthlessly exposed by Germany recently, in Lyons. Ilie is their prime striker and could be the one to be on for the first goal.

Germany, fancied in this neck of the woods to win the tournament outright, should outclass the USA (maybe 3-0) in Paris tonight. Leading Serie A striker Bierhoff is the man to back to score the opening goal.

Ian Davies

ENGLAND V TUNISIA

Nation C H L S T

England 1-3 4-11 4-11 1-3 4-11

Draw 11-4 5-2 11-4 11-4 13-5

Tunisia 8-1 8-1 7-1 17-2 15-2

C Coral, H William Hill, L Ladbrokes, S Stanley, T Tote

ROMANIA V COLOMBIA

Nation C H L S T

Romania 11-8 6-5 5-4 11-8 5-4

Draw 15-8 15-8 11-5 15-8 2-1

Colombia 9-5 11-5 7-4 9-5 15-8

C Coral, H William Hill, L Ladbrokes, S Stanley, T Tote

GERMANY V USA

Nation C H L S T

Germany 4-9 2-5 4-9 2-5 1-2

Draw 13-5 5-2 5-2 13-5 12-5

USA 11-2 7-1 6-1 13-2 5-1

C Coral, H William Hill, L Ladbrokes, S Stanley, T Tote