Another day down, another day closer to the 2018 World Cup. Fans from all over the world will be getting ready to travel to Russia for this summer’s competition and it could be one of the greatest World Cup tournaments in recent times.

The world’s most gifted goalkeepers will be confident of claiming the Golden Glove award this summer. Awarded to the best shot stopper throughout the competition, Manuel Neuer was the recipient of the accolade in 2014 – and punters will fancy the Germany star to claim the award for the second tournament in a row.

As of June 6^th, Neuer is the joint-favourite at 4/1 to secure the title. Germany have struggled in recent months but Joachim Low’s side tend to find their best form at major tournaments and it would be foolish to write Neuer off just yet.

Without further ado, let’s look at five of the leading Golden Glove contenders ahead of the competition.

Allison Becker (Brazil)

The Roma goalkeeper was simply sublime in 2017/18, helping his side advance to the semi-finals of the Champions League. Allison will be Brazil’s main shot stopper this summer and he is a viable pick at 4/1.

Brazil are expected to challenge for a sixth Jules Rimet Trophy this year and Allison’s form will be pivotal to their chances of success. He conceded 11 goals in 18 qualifying matches and he looks primed to enjoy a fruitful tournament.

Only Pepe Reina (18) kept more clean sheets than Allison (17) in Serie A last season. That statistic alone may tempt punters into backing the Brazilian to claim the Golden Glove in his first World Cup competition.

Odds: 4/1

Manuel Neuer (Germany)

Neuer has been side-lined through injury for most of the campaign but the Bayern Munich man is back to full fitness. Prior to the DFB-Pokal final, Neuer had been ruled out for around six months and his lack of match practice is of some concern.

Winner of this award in 2014, the Germany star is one of the best in the business. A worthy favourite on his best form, Neuer can silence the doubters this summer as Low’s men bid to defend their World Cup crown.

Neuer is now on the wrong side of 30 years old but remains a competent shot stopper. He will be popular with bettors in the build-up to the tournament and it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see him become the outright market principle.

Odds: 4/1

David De Gea (Spain)

Arguably Manchester United’s only world class talent, De Gea is the best goalkeeper on the planet. The Spaniard racked up 18 clean sheets last season – two more than Manchester City shot stopper Ederson.

Spain were very disappointing at the 2014 World Cup and most fans are expecting a major improvement here. With Julen Lopetegui at the helm, the 2010 World Cup winners could be set for a real push for glory.

De Gea’s individual exploits may decide whether Spain fall short or prevail; he will be key to their aspirations. 9/2 is a decent price considering his talent but an early exit will scupper his chances of snagging individual honours.

Odds: 9/2

Hugo Lloris (France)

Lloris is captain of the French national team and that could play into his hands if Les Bleus enjoy a successful campaign. As a shot stopper, Lloris isn’t the most reliable but his decision-making is top drawer.

A regular for Tottenham Hotspur throughout the campaign, Lloris heads into this summer’s competition in fine form. 7/1 is exceptional value given his importance to the team and he could be the one to back.

With a relatively straightforward group, Lloris shouldn’t have too much to do in the group stages. France are one of the favourites for World Cup glory this summer and Golden Glove contender Lloris could be the key to their chances.

Odds: 7/1

Thibaut Courtois (Belgium)

Last but not least, we have Courtois. His future at Chelsea is up in the air at this moment in time but Courtois will be focused firmly on Belgium. He will need to be at his formidable best if Roberto Martinez’s men are to reach the latter stages.

8/1 is short in my opinion – all of the aforementioned goalkeepers are better placed to win the award. Courtois is a decent shot stopper but his form at club level has been patchy and a mistake or two will hinder his chances of individual recognition.

Belgium will come under pressure against England in the group stages and a solid showing in that encounter may boost his standing. However, it is difficult to put too much faith in the Chelsea man on current form.

Odds: 8/1

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

Gareth Southgate made us wait for his World Cup squad on Wednesday. We were left twiddling our thumbs until 2pm, but finally we found out the 23 who will boarding the plane to Russia with the great weight of the country’s expectations.

Social media and Sky Sports News were sent into raptures of overreaction at the news. If truth be told, we didn’t learn all that much from Southgate’s squad. And not just because most of the big stories had already been leaked...

We already knew Southgate was keen to pick on form, and he did just that leaving Joe Hart and Jack Wilshere out. We already knew Southgate was happy to opt for less experienced players, and he did just that naming Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

The inclusions of Paul Jones, Gary Cahill and Danny Welbeck were fortuitous, but all understandable in their own ways. Southgate has talent at his disposal, albeit in a slightly imbalanced 23-man squad.

Meeting With The Belgians

England head to Russia as second favourites to win their group at 6/5. The presence of the ostentatiously talented Belgium is the key thing to consider with those odds.

Southgate’s side face the Belgians in their third and final group game, when qualification should be confirmed after fixtures with Panama and Tunisia. The 6/5 price is a good one. Belgium are stupidly gifted, as we know, but this England squad has the talent to trouble them.

With both teams possibly guaranteed a last 16 berth by that point, too, the match could take a slightly more relaxed tone. Belgium underachieved at the Euros a couple of years and are one of the teams under the most pressure this summer.

Meek performances in the easier group matches have blighted England at past tournaments. I don’t see that being the case this summer, though, with the potent frontline that Southgate can field of Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane and Dele Alli.

The ability to bring Jamie Vardy or Marcus Rashford off the bench changes things drastically, too. For all the criticism of the England squad – and there has been a huge amount – they have forwards capable of changing games, and one of the best spearheads in world football.

Golden Boot Bet?

Kane is the face of this team. If he can hit one of those purple patches we see two or three times a club season, England can be a real contender. The Tottenham man is out at 16/1 to win the Golden Boot, a price I think is pretty reasonable given his scoring record.

England’s main problem will be creativity. Southgate has a vast collection of full-backs and central defenders to call upon, but his midfield is almost non-existent. If the Eric Dier and Jordan Henderson partnership is the way forward, a lot of creative responsibility falls to Alli and the wing-backs.

Alli has shown he can live up to that this season, though, registering a similar expected assists per 90 number to Cesc Fabregas, Eden Hazard and Roberto Firmino. Alli is at 2/1 to have the most assists of any England player.

Away from Dier and Henderson, Fabian Delph is the only other ‘orthodox’ central midfielder and even he’s largely been a left-back this term. Loftus-Cheek and Lingard could fulfil that role in a 3-4-3 if Southgate wants a more offensive option, however.

I don’t expect England to struggle against Panama or Tunisia, but chance creation could be an issue if Dier and Henderson are named as the midfield duo.

Depleted Midfield To Struggle?

The absences of Adam Lallana, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Harry Winks limit Southgate’s options drastically in the middle. Injuries have derailed the World Cup hopes of all three, who all look to be making claims to start the opening match.

Jonjo Shelvey could have filled one of those spots but concerns over his discipline saw the Newcastle man miss out despite a fine run of form to end the campaign. I fear England could regret not having this passing range, at least from the bench, at some point this summer.

This England squad is good. Southgate has been largely ruthless in his selection. Young players have got the opportunity on merit rather than for the sake of naming them, and form has – for the most part, at least – contributed to the selections.

Are England Actually Good?

The quibbling about the squad will continue until England are knocked out. It might continue even if England come home with the trophy. Southgate didn’t tear up trees, but he continued along the path he has set out.

For that, he deserves praise, and there are no unjustifiable decisions either way in his selection. England are out at 17/1 to win the tournament. Few will argue with their status as seventh-favourites.

I like their chances to make the quarter-finals, whether they finish first or second in their group. Meeting Germany or Brazil in the last eight, though, makes it very unlikely Southgate takes his side any further. 

Predicted XI for opening match: Pickford, Trippier, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Rose, Dier, Henderson, Alli, Sterling, Kane

TIP: England to be eliminated in the quarter-finals @ 5/2

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*