William Burns Handicapper Reviews & Picks

(#225274) Saudi Arabia | ATS | .

This game should be much closer than people are expecting. I know that Uruguay has been a top squad in many of the recent World Cup's with strikers Edinson Cavani & Luis Suarez leading the charge. That's not the case this time around and I believe that the South American squad is going to lack some forward play in this year's edition. Yes, there's players like Federico Valverde & Rodrigo Bentancur who could make a difference. But, those two aren't going to cause this Uruguayan team to dominate opponents, at all. Saudi Arabia is also much better than given credit for. It beat Puerto Rico 3-0 in a friendly leading up & drew against Senegal. I wouldn't be shocked if Saudi won this game outright. I'll grab the goal & a half to be safe.

Burns' Prediction: 1-1 Draw.

(#225270) Belgium | 3-WAY ML | .

Egypt enters the tournament with a couple of key names that people are going to be expecting great things from. Mo Salah, Liverpool's sensation over the past nine seasons, is set to move on from the club this offseason. That being said, he's still an outstanding talent which I have a lot of respect for. Omar Marmoush, Man City's attacker, will also be a deadly offensive weapon. That being said, I don't think that Egypt has the overall team around it to make things happen in the middle of the pitch for those guys. A Belgium midfield with Kevin De Bruyne is going to be able to run circles around Egypt & control the majority of the ball.

Looking at Belgium, its attack is just as good as Egypt's, if not even better. Doku & Trossard down the wings will be very deadly in this tournament, with Lukaku the most likely choice up front. The big man has had his share of poor moments, but is an elite finisher when he's on his game. I believe that Belgium's defense is a lot better than people are giving it credit for as well. This team could be sneaky good & there's no question in my eyes that it gets this tournament started the right way by picking up all three points against Egypt.

Burns' Prediction: 3-0 Belgium.