NBA Postseason Best Bets (5/3)
Alex Christenson
Tunisia World Cup Team Preview
Tunisia
FIFA Ranking: 30
Manager: Jalel Kadri
Federation: CAF
Group: France, Denmark, Australia, Tunisia
Odds to win World Cup: +100000, PointsBet
Odds to win Group D: +3200, FanDuel Sportsbook
Odds to advance in Group D: +550, FanDuel Sportsbook
How did Tunisia qualify for the World Cup?
Not to dismiss Tunisia’s accomplishments, but they were pretty lucky. At no point did Tunisia stand out as a side that looked a threat during qualifying. They took care of business at home, which allowed them to advance to a playoff against Mali. Of the eight teams that qualified for a playoff, Mali is the only team that has never reached a World Cup before. Tunisia won the first leg on the road on the backs of an own goal by Mali, which allowed them to park the bus and advance at home to qualify for the World Cup. There was nothing particularly pretty about their qualification campaign.
Who is Tunisia’s most important player?
Ellyes Skhiri
This is not a sexy Tunisian squad with veterans Whabi Khazri and Youssef Msakni leading the attack. Ellyes Skhiri is Tunisia’s best player, and his best attribute is that he is decent at everything. Skhiri is a CDM who Tunisia will need to depend on to limit France and Denmark’s attacks. If Tunisia has any chance at picking up points against either side, it will mean Skhiri had a monumental impact on the game.
What are Tunisia’s strengths, weaknesses, style of play and form?
Tunisia is expected to play a 4-3-3, but a very slow 4-3-3. Tunisia’s forwards are old and lack pace. This is a team that is expected to grind out every game and hope for 0-0, 1-1 or 1-0 results.
Tunisia’s strength is probably their experience. This stage won’t affect this side and they will come ready to compete against every opponent in their group. I would fall short to call their defense a strength, but it is the strongest part of their squad.
Their weakness? Also their age. This is an old and slow team that will struggle to compete with the talent and pace of Denmark and France. Their lack of pace combined with their identify as a team to park the bus will make it extremely difficult for this team to score goals.
What is Tunisia’s World Cup Outlook?
Not good. This is a better team than Saudi Arabia but is arguably in a worse spot to pick up a point. I think Tunisia will really struggle against France and Denmark. Luckily for them they get to place France last, so their likelihood of picking up a point will come in their second match of the tournament against Australia. Tunisia is tied with Saudi Arabia and Costa Rica with the lowest odds to win the World Cup.
Best Tunisia World Cup Bet
Tunisia are certainly a candidate to finish with the least amount of goals in this tournament. It’s not listed yet, but they will be involved in the two or four teams I bet on for this future.
Tunisia World Cup Roster
Goalkeepers: Aymen Dahmen, Mouez Hassen, Aymen Balbouli, Bechir Ben Said
Defenders: Mohamed Dräger, Wajdi Kechrida, Bilel Ifa, Montassar Talbi, Dylan Bronn, Yassine Meriah, Nader Ghandri, Ali Maâloul, Ali Abdi
Midfielders: Ellyes Skhiri, Aissa Laidouni, Ferjani Sassi, Ghaylen Chaaleli, Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane, Hannibal Mejbri
Forwards: Seifeddine Jaziri, Naim Sliti, Taha Yassine Khenissi, Anis Ben Slimane, Issam Jebali, Wahbi Khazri, Youssef Msakni
Group A | Ecuador Senegal Netherlands Qatar
Group B | Iran Wales USA England
Group C | Mexico Saudi Arabia Poland Argentina
Group D | Tunisia Denmark Australia France
Group E | Japan Germany Costa Rica Spain
Group F | Croatia Morocco Canada Belgium
