England vs Iran Tips: Our Preview & Predictions For The Three Lions’ Opener

England vs Iran Predictions:

• England To Win - 4/11 With Unibet
• England To Win & Under 3.5 Goals - 37/40 With BetVictor
• Harry Kane To Score - 11/10 With William Hill
• Jude Bellingham To Be Man Of The Match - 8/1 With Bet365

England are the heavy favourites to make a winning start to their World Cup campaign when they take on Iran at Khalifa International Stadium on Monday.

Most UK betting sites are offering just 4/11 on the Three Lions securing victory against Carlos Queiroz’s men.

However, you can unlock a great deal of value by delving into the alternative win markets, including handicaps, to win to nil and bet builders.

It promises to be a fascinating, politically-charged occasion. England have been told not to wear the OneLove armband to avoid potential sporting sanctions, but manager Gareth Southgate said his players will take the knee before kick-off.

Meanwhile, Iran’s players have previously worn black jackets to cover their team logos during the national anthem in support of women’s rights, amid a backdrop of fierce protests, and it will be interesting to see if they repeat that protest.

Yet the players will need to put these issues to one side for 90 minutes on Monday and seek to secure a precious victory at the start of the group stage.

We have analysed the key markets on World Cup betting sites for the Group B match and provided tips for each of them.

However, it is hard to see how Iran can live with the quality of this England squad. Southgate has a few injury concerns - Kyle Walker and James Maddison are out, while Kalvin Phillips is doubtful - but the Three Lions still have excellent players in almost every department.

There are question marks over the defence, but Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham should boss the midfield, and England’s star forwards can do the rest.

It could be a tight, cagey game, but there would be an outcry if England failed to beat a team tipped to finish bottom of Group A, and that’s why they are huge 4/11 favourites with football betting sites. 

Tip: England To Win - 4/11 With Unibet

How Can We Unlock More Value On An England Win?

There are a few options: England to win half-time/full-time is 11/10 with Bet365, England to win to nil is 5/6 with Betfair and you can also find 37/40 on England to win and under 3.5 goals with BetVictor

The final option looks the most appealing. Under 3.5 goals paid off in six out of England’s seven matches at last summer’s Euros. 

The only exception was a 4-0 quarter-final victory over Ukraine, but their group stage games featured an average of just 0.66 goals.

Under 3.5 goals also paid off in six out of the Three Lions’ seven matches at the 2018 World Cup. 

Southgate is a cautious coach, and he often favours a three-man defence, two holding midfielders and wing-backs that do not exactly bomb forward at any opportunity.

As such, England should be able to grind out a low-scoring win against Iran, whose games averaged just 1.5 goals during their qualifying campaign.

Tip: England To Win & Under 3.5 Goals - 37/40 With BetVictor

Kane has scored 51 goals in 75 games for England, and he is in red hot form this season. 

The Spurs striker has fired in 12 goals in 15 Premier League matches, and he should receive strong service in this match.

Tip: Harry Kane To Score - 11/10 With William Hill

Who Will Be Man Of The Match When England and Iran Clash?

The man of the match award generally goes to a player from the winning team, and that is highly likely to be England.

Kane is the obvious candidate, as he is the Three Lions’ talisman, leader and the focal point in their attack.

However, there is a lot more value on offer if you look a little further down the field. One name that stands out is Jude Bellingham, the teenage sensation who has been lighting up the Bundesliga for Borussia Dortmund this season.

He was named man of the match when Dortmund faced Man City in the Champions League, leading Pep Guardiola to call him the “whole package”.

Bellingham is likely to start in this game, as Phillips is coming back from a lengthy injury, and he will be keen to stake a claim for a regular place in the starting XI.

The midfield battle will be crucial on Monday, and Bellingham will be the silkiest player in that department, so odds of 8/1 on him winning the man of the match award look worth a punt.

Tip: Jude Bellingham To Be Named Man Of The Match - 8/1 With Bet365