Portugal, England, Croatia and Colombia headline today’s World Cup slate, with bettors tracking star props, must-win spots and key Group K and L clashes
Yesterday was something of an anomaly at the World Cup, as three of the greatest strikers ever to play the game delivered memorable performances within a span of just a few hours.
First there was Argentina’s Lionel Messi, setting a World Cup record with his 17th and 18th goals, as defending champion Argentina handled Austria 2-0.
Then France’s Kylian Mbappé followed in Messi’s steps, scoring twice, to move into second spot in career World Cup goals with 16, with France playing through a rain-delayed match with Iraq, topping them 3-0 to move on to the knockout stage.
Then, it was Norwegian sensation Erling Haaland’s turn, notching two, to lead his team to a 3-2 win over Senegal, to also move on to the knockout stage.
“It’s my speciality to score goals,” Haaland said after the match. “It’s like many other things, I’m just really good at scoring goals. I’m quite lucky.”
Indeed. Today, sports bettors will be focusing on Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and England’s Harry Kane, among others, for player props like Anytime Goalscorer, First Goalscorer, and 2+ Shots on Target.
Portugal (0-1-0) versus Uzbekistan (0-0-1), today, 1 p.m. EST, NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas. In World Cup betting at Betway, Portugal is the big betting favorite, at -700, with Uzbekistan at +1600, and odds for a draw at +700.
Portugal, at +1200 at Betway to win the tournament, was held to a surprising 1-1 draw by Congo DR in its opener. Portugal manager Roberto Martinez publicly backed Ronaldo ahead of this match, after the superstar was receiving criticism.
People have to remember, though, Ronaldo is 41. Still, bettors continue to pile into Ronaldo markets. Anytime Goalscorer is -223 at Betway, First Goalscorer is +180, while Portugal Team Total Over 2.5 Goals is priced at -138 and Over 3.5 Goals at +190.
I am putting on the rubber boots and wading into that, as well.
England (1-0-0) versus Ghana (1-0-0), 4 p.m. EST, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts. England is -500, Ghana +1200, with odds for a draw at +600.
We go right from Ronaldo to Harry Hane, who scored twice in England’s opening match 4-2 win over Croatia, and is at 10 career World Cup goals himself (Ronaldo has eight).
Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford were also heavily involved in the Croatia match. That’s the good news.
However, according to the Guardian, from a defence perspective, England manager Thomas Tuchel referred to the Croatia match as a “wake-up call”, a need to better focus on defensive structure, going forward, that his side was too quick to fall back, too “man-man focused”, during the first half.
England, with no major injury concerns, can qualify for the knockout stages in Group L with a win today.
Kane Anytime Goalscorer is -200, and First Goalscorer +190. I’m leaning there, as well as England Team Total Over 2.5 Goals (-110). Over 2.5 Total Goals has some strong value as well, at -188.
Panama (0-0-1) versus Croatia (0-0-1), 7 p.m. EST, BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario. Croatia is -211 at Betway, Panama +500, with odds for a draw at +333.
The over-riding news headline this morning for Panama is the absence of key midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla, as both teams try to keep their knockout stage hopes alive.
Carrasquilla is recovering from a muscle injury and was on the bench for last week’s 1-0 loss to Ghana.
Croatia moneyline, with their better talent, Panama without Carrasquilla, and the overall stakes at play, is my call for tonight’s match at BMO Field (Toronto Stadium). Maybe Croatia Total Goals (Over 1.5 at -188), with Carrasquilla’s absence.
And finally, Colombia (1-0-0) versus Congo DR (0-1-0), 10 p.m. EST, Estadio Akron, Guadalajara, Mexico. At Betway, Colombia is the betting favorite at -200, with Congo DR at +550, and odds for a draw at +300.
Colombia is coming off a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan in their first match and boast more attacking depth going into this one. They also are motivated, wanting to secure early knockout qualification. Despite their gritty draw with Portugal, Congo DR is the big underdog here. No major injuries for either side.
Colombia’s Luis Diaz is a player-prop market focus.
There’s good value this morning on Colombia to Win and Both Teams to Score (+320), given Colombia’s attacking quality and DR Congo’s tendency to concede chances, as it did against Portugal. Colombia on the moneyline is also worth a look. Luis Díaz Anytime Goalscorer is +150 at Betway.
