Monday sees Russia battle Uruguay for the Group A top spot, while Spain and Portugal try and ensure a place in the last-16.

Already exceeding expectations, can the hosts secure a flawless group stage performance when they take on Uruguay at 3pm on ITV? The Russians have been pretty damn impressive; with 8 goals in 2 games they’re the joint top scorers with England and Belgium, but with a superior goal difference to both of those nations. Denis Cheryshev has 3 of those goals and sits at a Super Mega PGM of 12-16, while Zenit Saint Petersburg’s Artem Dzyuba has 2 and is at 19-23.



In comparison, it’s hard not to feel that Uruguay have been a disappointment. With Luis Suarez and Edison Cavani – at Super Mega PGMs of 27-32 and 22-27 respectively – upfront, you’d expect them to inflict the same kind of pain on Egypt and Saudi Arabia as their Russian rivals. Instead the South Americans have scraped a pair of 1-0 victories, leaving them needing victory on Monday if they are to top Group A. Yet the raw potential of Suarez and co. means they just about have the edge, at a Uruguay/Russia Goal Supremacy spread of 0-0.2 alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.15-2.35.

Over in Group B things aren’t quite yet decided, with Spain, Portugal and Iran all fighting to reach the knockouts. Though the Spaniards are facing the already eliminated Morocco, at 7pm on BBC One, they shouldn’t take anything for granted. The North African side are arguably unlucky to already be out, a 95th minute own goal against Iran and a 4th minute strike from Cristiano Ronaldo leading to an early exit. Still, to be fair, they’ve failed to score and have been punished accordingly for that lack.



In one of many instances this tournament of a favourite struggling to soar, Spain followed their 3-3 thriller against Portugal with a meagre 1-0 victory over Iran. That winner came from Diego Costa, who, at a Super Mega PGM of 50-58, has 3 goals in 2 games. The Atletico Madrid forward will be looking to add to his tally on Monday, with Spreadex offering a Spain/Morocco Goal Supremacy spread of 1.4-1.6 alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.85-3.05.

Finally Iran will try and score a major upset and beat Portugal at 7pm on BBC Four. Thanks to Iran’s incredibly lucky win against Morocco, Carlos Quieroz could dump his country mates out of the competition if his side can pick up a victory on Monday night. Even a draw might see them reach the last-16 if Spain somehow lose against Morocco.



Of course, beating Portugal is no mean feat, especially since Cristiano Ronaldo is in such insistent form. With 4 goals the Real Madrid ace is still in the running for the Golden Boot, and a Super Mega PGM of 62-72 suggests that he could rack up a few more before the group stage is over. As for the game itself, Fernando Santos should have too much to worry about, with Spreadex offering a Portugal/Iran Goal Supremacy spread of 0.8-1 alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.2-2.4.