THE World Cup is well and truly underway in Russia and Bet Victor brand ambassador Michael Owen has again shared his thoughts with The Northern Echo on who he feels will be lifting the trophy in Moscow next month.

Who will win the World Cup?

In recent weeks I have gone off the chances of both World Champions Germany and the much-vaunted French and my two nations against the rest in Russia are Brazil and Belgium with preference for the five-time World Cup winners.

The Selecao have experience and quality in abundance throughout the squad and I feel they can exorcise that 7-1 semi-final humiliation from four years ago on home soil against Germany.

At 26, Neymar already has 54 international goals and the good news for fans of Brazil is that the PSG forward will be fresher than most, having missed the last few months of the European domestic season following a foot injury he picked up in February. At the time there were fears he would miss the tournament, but he showed he was back to his brilliant best at Anfield in a recent 2-0 friendly success over Croatia.

This looks a beautifully balanced Brazil side who don’t need good luck to lift the trophy – they just need to avoid bad-luck. I’m looking forward to seeing how the mercurial Philippe Coutinho dovetails with Neymar in tournament competition and Brazil look worthy favourites.

Belgium are another side who have quality in abundance although their Golden Generation have underachieved in major tournaments – until now. In Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard the Red Devils have two potential match-winners of their own.

Roberto Martinez will want to see Romelu Lukaku back to his best having only been considered fit enough for the bench against Chelsea in the FA Cup Final last month.

The Manchester United striker looked rusty in the recent win over Egypt, but he looked back to his best when scoring twice and having an assist in Belgium’s final warm up game - a comfortable 4-1 win over Costa Rica earlier in the week.

Their critics will suggest Belgium have defensive frailties and there are concerns surrounding the form and fitness of both skipper Vincent Kompany and Toby Alderweireld, but Jan Vertonghen had a terrific season for Spurs and I know Eden Hazard’s younger brother Thorgan has had an outstanding campaign for Borussia Monchengladbach. He will be a real threat from the bench.

Michael’s recommendations:

To win the World Cup:

Brazil 4/1. Alternative: Belgium 10/1

Top Goalscorer:

Neymar 10/1

Golden Ball (Player of the Tournament)

Neymar 8/1

On Monday evening, England get their campaign underway.

First, the team I would select if I were Gareth Southgate for England’s opening game.

Note this side would not be the one I would choose for the Belgium game in the final Group game but is one I hope will produce goals and three points against a nation who have never made it out of the group stages at the World Cup.

I would set my Three Lions side up in a 3-4-3 formation against Tunisia who I expect to defend in numbers.

Jordan Pickford; Kyle Walker, John Stones, Harry Maguire; Trent Alexander Arnold, Eric Dier, Deli All, Ashley Young ; Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford.

Jordan Henderson will obviously come into the side against Belgium – and possibly Panama – and it was a toss-up between the Liverpool skipper and Dier for the sole holding midfielder I would start with against the Africans.

I maintain that England should qualify for the quarter finals. Anything better than the last eight is a plus – anything less than that would have to be construed as a disappointing tournament.

Don’t be surprised if Southgate makes changes for the second game against Panama – irrespective of the result against Tunisia and it would not surprise me if the team above is almost unrecognisable to the one who exits the tournament. Hopefully that will be deep into July – if indeed we do lose!!

England need Raheem Sterling to be on top of his game and I hope the Manchester City attacker gets off to a flyer on Monday.

A win is imperative for the Three Lions and my recommendations for England’s opening game is:

England to win at 2/5; England to win 3-1 at 15/1; Raheem Sterling to score first at 10/3

My BetVictor #PriceItUp Builder for the game are the above three selections plus England to have under 1.5 cards shown to them throughout the game, which is priced at 76/1.

BetVictor guarantee to giveaway £1,000,000 to the customer who has the highest winning bet throughout the tournament. Minimum stake £1 – singles only and if the there is more than one winner the prize will be shared.

Come on England!