Expert Picks

I've already talked about how terrifying this Norway attack is. There's a reason they scored 37 times in their eight qualifying matches. In fact, there's multiple reasons. This front line only plays one style of footy, and that style is press. Norway doesn't care if they're up 1-0, 2-0, 3-0, it doesn't matter. This is a team that is coached to attack no matter what . Look at Erling Haaland to score a brace in this one, as Iraq will just be holding on for dear life and trying to weather the Viking storm.

Norway return to the World Cup for the first time in 28 years. They did so by being the most dominate goal-scoring threat in the entirety of the UEFA qualification stages. Norway won group I in the qualifiers outscoring their opponents 37-5 in just eight matches. They also went 8-0-0. Led by the Viking himself Erling Haaland, this team's front line is terrifying. Haaland is backed by Martin Odegaard, Alexander Sorloth and Antonio Nusa. I wouldn't want to have to try to stop this attack, and I expect them to roll this first match winning by 3+ goals.

Norway’s forwards could run riot against Iraq in this game. Erling Haaland is a goal machine, Martin Ødegaard is a superb playmaker, and the likes of Alexander Sørloth and Antonio Nusa provide extra firepower. The Norwegians scored 37 goals and conceded just five times in their qualifying campaign, which included a 3-0 win and a 4-1 win against Italy. They need to win this game, as Iraq is the weakest team in their group, which also features France and Senegal, so they should secure a pretty comfortable victory.