Germany opens its World Cup campaign as bettors track favorites, while Netherlands-Japan headlines a busy day of group-stage action
Bettors are still grappling with upsets and surprises from yesterday’s World Cup matches, sitting down with a coffee to scan today’s schedule.
Where do you start? Group B is complete chaos now (great news for Canada) after dramatic stoppage-time equalizer by Qatar to tie Switzerland 1-1. As we wrote yesterday, Switzerland was the heavy favorite at -500, with Qatar at +1000, and a draw priced at +600. Futures for Group B, with Canada, Switzerland, Qatar and Bosnia and Herzegovina all sitting on one point, could swing dramatically now.
In World Cup betting on Betway this morning, looking ahead to their next match against Qatar, this Thursday in Vancouver, Canada is -450 (Qatar +700).
Also yesterday, Scotland ended a 36-year World Cup drought with a 1-0 win over Haiti, grabbing three crucial points, putting the Scots in a strong spot to advance from Group C.
That’s because Morocco and Brazil tied 1-1, a kick to the shins for bettors who had Brazil as a top tournament betting favorite. The Moroccans looked confident and organized against the Brazilians.
Then last night, Australia shocked Turkey 2-0, on goals by Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe, spoiling Turkey’s return to the World Cup for the first time since 2002.
That puts the Australians next to the U.S. at the top of Group D standings and sets up their match in Seattle this Friday quite nicely.
Day 4 has a busy schedule.
Germany plays Curacao, 1 p.m. EST, at NRG Stadium, in Houston, Texas. On Betway, the Germans are -3300, with Curacao at +4000. Odds on a draw are +2200.
The Netherlands then takes on Japan, 4 p.m. EST, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. That’s a tight one on the betting line – Netherlands +100, Japan +260, odds on a draw at +230.
Ivory Coast plays Ecuador at 7 p.m. EST at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Another tighter line – Ecuador +150, Ivory Coast +220, draw +180.
Finally, Sweden takes on Tunisia, 10 p.m. EST, at Estadio BBVA, in Guadalupe, Mexico. Sweden is the betting favorite there at Betway, at -110, with Tunisia +300, and odds for a draw at +240.
I see Germany cruising past Curacao, something in the range of 4-0 or 5-0. Betway has Germany Over 3.0 total goals at -163, while Over 4.5 goals offers +137 for those seeking plus-money value. This has all the makings of a comfortable German win.
A low-scoring match between Netherlands and Japan feels right – 1-0, or 2-0. The Dutch have a solid defence and the Japanese are well organized to keep the match tight.
Japan is a great betting underdog, the kind of side that can easily cause an upset in the group stage or knockouts. The Japanese are ranked No. 18 in the world according to FIFA, but they play high energy football, with quick transitions, that catches bigger teams off guard.
Betway has the Under 2.5 at -134. That’s where I am going. If you’re looking at Japan as an attacking team, and expect a more open game, Betway has the Over 2.5 Total Goals at -106.
The Ivory Coast-Ecuador is looked at as a potentially tight contest, according to analysts, so I will sprinkle some pennies on a draw, at +180. Two defensive sides, both gunning for second place in Group E behind Germany.
