England looks to make a statement today versus Panama, with Portugal betting favorites over Colombia, and Messi not starting for Argentina
The expanded World Cup format, featuring 48 countries and 104 matches, has been a win for bettors, delivering more upsets, more teams and betting markets, more competitive groups, while also proving a huge success for soccer fans.
It’s paved the way for stories like Cape Verde, the tiny island nation off the coast of Africa, which yesterday became the smallest nation by population ever to make the World Cup Round of 32, after a 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia.
Group play has been an overwhelming success, across three countries, with packed stadiums and energy among the crowds being the overriding narrative, but also the atmosphere in host cities.
Fan festivals have been full, while travelling supporters have turned city centres into cultural celebrations.
FIFA announced that this World Cup has already smashed the all-time attendance record before the group stage even finished – 3.6 million, an average of 64,000 fans per game. The previous record was the U.S. World Cup in 1994, with 3.59 spectators.
The 48-team format didn’t dilute the competition. It’s been a boon for bettors.
Today is the last day of group play, with Canada kicking off the Round of 32 tomorrow against South Africa.
Croatia (1-0-1) versus Ghana (1-1-0), today, 5 p.m. EST, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In World Cup betting at Betway, Croatia is the betting favorite, at -118, with Ghana at +375, and odds for a draw set at +210.
This is a key match, one worth tuning into, since both teams are in the mix. Croatia must win to guarantee a spot in the Round of 32.
Ghana is one of the tournament’s best defensive teams, compact and disciplined, allowing zero goals in both their matches.
Best bet here is Under 2.5 Total Goals (-163 at Betway). Croatia has scored just three goals in two matches.
Panama (0-0-2) versus England (1-1-0), 5 p.m. EST, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey. England is the massive favorite, at -600, with Panama, already out of the tournament, at +1200, and draw is at +700.
England is coming off a disappointing 0-0 draw with Ghana in their last match, where they controlled possession, but couldn’t finish anything. They’ve already qualified, so will the incentive be there today to win Group L (Ghana and England are tied with four points)?
Reece James is out with a hamstring injury. Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson and Bukayo Saka are available to play.
Best bet is England Win to Nil, -130 at Betway, since England will push to win the group, and Panama struggles to score. Expect a comeback game of sorts from Harry Kane, after a frustrating match against Ghana. He’s -236 at Betway for Anytime Goalscorer.
Colombia (2-0-0) versus Portugal (1-1-0), 7:30 p.m. EST, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida. Portugal is -106 at Betway, Colombia is +230, with odds for a draw at +280.
Colombia has had a great tournament, so their underdog status is a surprise. Today, they need only a draw to win the group. Portugal needs a win to jump them in the Group K standings.
Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to lead the way again for Portugal, a squad that looked far better in beating Uzbekistan 5-0 after earning a 1-1 draw in their opener versus DR Congo.
The best bet is Both Teams to Score — Yes (-154), with Portugal expected to push forward and Colombia having scored in both of its group-stage matches.
I also like Portugal to Win (-106), led by Ronaldo (+105 Anytime Goalscorer), with Portugal holding the edge in star power and motivation to chase first place in the group.
DR Congo (0-1-1) versus Uzbekistan (0-0-2), 7:30 p.m. EST, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia. At Betway, DR Congo is -163, Uzbekistan is +400, and the draw is +280.
Congo are the clear betting favorites in this Group K finale, with Uzbekistan without a point and out of it, and a terrible goal difference.
Congo has legit firepower, led by Aaron Wan-Bissaka (+900 Anytime Goalscorer), Axel Tuanzebe (+900 Anytime Goalscorer), and Yoane Wissa (+140 Anytime Goalscorer).
Congo needs a big statement today, to get in as a third-place team, so take Congo to Win.
Algeria (1-0-1) versus Austria (1-0-1), 10 p.m. EST, GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri. This one is tight at Betway – Austria +220, Algeria +260, with odds for a draw at +105.
The winner in this match takes second place, while a draw likely sends Austria through on goal difference, positioning Algeria strongly as a third-place qualifier. Austria doesn’t have to chase a win and be reckless, while Algeria, off their 2-1 win over Jordan, has a little more urgency.
But they can still survive and move on to the next round, so that’s why I am leaning the draw. The Under 2.5 at -334 is too expensive, while the Under 1.5 is +115 looks enticing, since this should be a low-scoring match.
Jordan (0-0-2) versus Argentina (2-0-0), 10 p.m. EST, AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas. Argentina is the heavy betting favorite, at -700, with Jordan at +1400, with odds for a draw at +750.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said that Lionel Messi will start today’s final group play match from the substitutes’ bench, with the team already having qualified for the Round of 32 as winners of Group J.
Argentina is +500 to win the World Cup, second only to France, which is at +400.
Argentina Win to Nil is -163, and the Over 2.5 Total Goals is -211, which is where to lean, in my opinion. Lautaro Martinez Anytime Goalscorer at +280 is also worth a look.
