Head-to-Head
New Zealand and Egypt play each other level on points in the FIFA World Cup, Group G at BC Place, Vancouver on Monday.
New Zealand
-
Darren Bazeley's New Zealand side have a pragmatic, risk-managed style, with a compact 4-2-3-1 formation that is strong in set pieces, organisation and direct play.
- Set pieces
- Organisation
- Direct play
- Chris Wood provided two assists in their opening Group G match.
- Elijah Just has scored three of his team's last six goals and is their most advanced attacker.
- New Zealand's form has dipped recently, with defeats to Haiti (4-0) and England (1-0) following a 2-2 draw with Iran in their World Cup opener.
Egypt
- Egypt, led by Hossam Hassan, operate a narrow 4-2-3-1 that relies on a double pivot to shield the defence while Salah and the wide players push into the attack.
- Mohamed Salah had an assist in their Group G opener.
- Emam Ashour leads the World Cup scoring charts for Egypt with one goal.
- Mostafa Ziko has scored twice in Egypt's last five.
- Egypt pushed Brazil close before losing 2-1 and then drew 1-1 with Belgium in their Group G opener.
Key Players
- Chris Wood - driving force of New Zealand's attack with two assists in the opener.
- Elijah Just - New Zealand's most advanced attacker, with three of the team's last six goals.
- Mohamed Salah - creative heartbeat for Egypt, registered an assist in the Group G opener.
- Emam Ashour - Egypt's World Cup goals leader with one goal.
- Mostafa Ziko - in good form for Egypt, with two goals in his last five.
Betting Insights
- Odds for Over 2.5 goals are 2.19.
- Both Teams to Score - Yes is 2.11.
Prediction
- The stylistic mismatch should produce more transition play than possession dominance, and both teams should score.
- Backing Both Teams to Score with Over 2.5 goals expecting plenty of end-to-end action.
