Germany and Sweden were two of the most impressive winners in the first round of fixtures at the 2026 World Cup, but can they back it up this weekend?
The second round of fixtures from Groups E and F take centre stage on Saturday night and into the early hours of Sunday and, after careful analysis we serve up four best bets from the four-game card.
In Group E Germany take on Ivory Coast before the winless duo of Ecuador and Curacao meet. In Group F there is a fascinating all-Euro dust-up between Netherlands and Sweden followed by Japan against Tunisia.
Below are our four selections in the World Cup betting for Sunday’s acca, which pays 34/1 if successful.
Saturday’s Best Bets
Draw or Ivory Coast Double Chance v Germany @ 6/4
Netherlands v Sweden – BTTS & one team to score 2 or more @ 23/20
Ecuador v Curacao – Joel Ordonez 1+ shots on target @ 5/2
Tunisia v Japan – Ali Abdi 36+ passes attempted @ 5/6
Pays out at 34/1
Elephants don’t forget how to topple big boys
It could be dangerous to over-react to Germany’s 7-1 mauling of Curacao, who were a defensive shambles on their World Cup debut.
That was exactly the type of fixture where the Germans have historically flexed their muscles, but it’s the bigger tests that have tripped them up in recent tournaments – and Ivory Coast represent just such a challenge.
The Elephants, seasoned players at these big football jamborees, didn’t concede a single goal in qualifying and extended that streak by beating Ecuador 1-0 in their opener.
That sent a message to Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann that they will not be brushed aside and this Group E showdown in Toronto promises to be competitive.
Ivory Coast are overpriced here and, at the very least, back them on the Double Chance market not to lose.
Leg 1: Draw or Ivory Coast Double Chance @ 6/4
Get set for goals in Houston
Top of the bill in Group F is the all-European showdown between Netherlands and Sweden, with the Dutch odds-on shots.
Th formbook says that can’t be wrong and, just as with Germany, it might be dangerous to over-read Sweden’s opener, a 5-1 battering of a calamitous Tunisia.
However, Graham Potter’s men did look good and the Englishman got a tune out of Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak in attack.
The Dutch need to win this after drawing 2-2 with Japan and this tussle just reeks of goals.
Both teams to score is odds-on, so too over 2.5, so chuck a dart at both teams scoring and at least one of them scoring two or more at 23/20.
Leg 2: BTTS & one team to score 2 or more @ 23/20
Ordonez no ordinary Joel
Ecuador’s loss to Ivory Coast means they know victory is essential against Curacao and with Germany still to play they may also need to boost their goal difference.
The South Americans don’t score many – none of Ecuador’s last 16 internationals has produced over three goals – but they have to be positive.
Brugge defender and Liverpool target Joel Ordonez is one of their many threats from set-plays and the 22-year-old – who had a couple of efforts against the Elephants – is a tasty price at 5/2 to get one on target in Kansas City.
Leg 3: Joel Ordonez 1+ shots on target @ 5/2
Abdi a marker for Tunisian apology
Tunisia almost threw in the towel before they’d left the dressing room in their opener. It cost them a 5-1 defeat to Sweden and cost coach Sabri Lamouchi his job.
Herve Renard has seen it all before and is back to lift the troops against Japan, so expect some fight from the North Africans.
Key wing-back Ali Abdi had 31 passes against the Swedes in a sorry display and can almost double that against Japan. He can certainly clear 36 attempted passes at 5/6.
Leg 4: Ali Abdi 36+ passes attempted @ 5/6
