England have been handed a good draw at the World Cup after being placed in Group G with Belgium, Tunisia, and newcomers Panama.
They will have a tricky match against a Belgium side blessed with great talent, but will be strong favourites to win against the sides in their opening section.
World Cup 2018 draw: England to face Belgium, Tunisia & Panama
The draw has thrown up some interesting matches with Group B looking the toughest, a section that included Portugal and Spain alongside Iran and Morocco.
Germany and Brazil were the joint favourites to win the competition before the draw was made, and this has not changed.
Gareth Southgate acknowledged that England need to improve on their international record in the major tournaments, as the Three Lions have not won a knockout game since the World Cup in 2006.
In fact, England have only won six knockout games in international football since 1996 against Paraguay in 1986, Belgium and Cameroon in 1990, Spain in 1996, Denmark in 2002 and Ecuador in 2006.
It was a World Cup campaign to forget in Brazil with England drawn in tough group against the likes of Italy and Uruguay.
They lost to both teams sending England home after two matches, and they drew against Costa Rica which ended goalless.
However, given today’s favourable draw they have had their odds slashed to win the World Cup.
Betfair’s Barry Orr explains: ‘England have been the big movers. They were 25/1 post draw but are now just 16/1.
‘Pre-draw we couldn’t separate Germany & Brazil at the top of the market and it’s still the same.’
What are the odds for the World Cup 2018? (Post World Cup 2018 draw – courtesy of Betfair)
- Brazil 5/1
- Germany 5/1
- France 6/1
- Spain 15/2
- Argentina 8/1
- Belgium 12/1
- England 16/1
- Portugal 20/1
- Colombia 25/1
- Uruguay 33/1
- Russia 33/1
England's World Cup 2018 group fixtures:
- June 18: England v Tunisia (7pm)
- June 24: England v Panama (1pm)
- June 28: England v Belgium (7pm)
MORE: When will England’s World Cup fixtures be and where will the team be based?
MORE: How to get 2018 World Cup tickets: When are they on sale and how much will they cost?
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