I write this back on the up after two wins from two World Cup wagers so far in Friday’s games, and day ten of the World Cup looks magnificent with some really exciting games. Just three goals in USA v Australia and Scotland v Morocco which was perfectly good for me, but I expect the goals to flow again come Saturday, with some of the world’s best attackers lining up on an epic day of action.
Odds provided by Stake.com.
Netherlands v Sweden
World Cup Group F, Houston Stadium, Houston, USA, 7pm CET, Saturday 20th June
Prices: 1.71 Netherlands, 3.95 Draw, 4.50 Sweden
I can’t wait for this one. Sweden were one of the pleasant surprises of the first round of matches, thumping a dire Tunisia 5-1, with both star strikers – Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres – finding the net. Graham Potter plays a nice brand of football and the Swedes flew out of the blocks against the North Africans, scoring in under ten minutes. There have been 23 goals in Sweden’s last seven matches have seen 30 goals.
Netherlands have a fine back line on paper, with Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk, Tottenham pair Micky van de Ven and Jan Paul van Hecke and Denzel Dumfries who’s on his way to Real Madrid, but they conceded two goals against Japan as they let the lead slip twice. Sweden will cause them problems and there was temptation to back the Scandinavians in the Draw No Bet market, but I’m going safer with both teams to score, with a tickle on a goalfest, the plays for me here.
Tips: Both teams to score @ 1.66. 1 unit; Over 3.5 goals @ 2.55. 0.5 units.
Germany v Ivory Coast
World Cup Group E, Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada, 10pm CET, Saturday 20th June
Prices: 1.53 Germany, 4.40 Draw, 5.60 Ivory Coast
On paper this looks like it’ll be a another good game. Germany hit seven against minnows Curacao in their first game, and clearly with Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz they’ll create chances for fun, but Ivory Coast have their own attacking flair in Yan Diomande, Bazoumana Toure and Elye Wahi, so both teams have the tools to hurt each other. I think there’ll be a nice flow to it, and while Germany are favoured to win, I’m including over 2.5 goals in the bet, as that’s hit in Die Mannschaft’s last six outings.
Tip: Germany to win & over 2.5 goals @ 2.08. 1 unit
Ecuador v Curacao
World Cup Group E, Kansas City Stadium, Missouri, USA, 2am CET, Sunday 21st June
Prices: 1.10 Ecuador, 8.60 Draw, 21.00 Curacao
Ecuador are clearly a good side and looked solid in their opening loss to Ivory Coast, with Amad Diallo’s lovely finish getting the better of them. Curacao were blown away by Germany on World Cup debut and may well suffer a similar fate here, Ecuador will win the game, but after only registering one shot on target in game one, it’s easy to sway the handicap markets and total goals, while winning to nil offers no value. Given there could be a few goals on offer for Ecuador, my preference is for a trio of goalscorers and the ones I’ve circled are Alan Minda, Joel Ordonez and Willian Pacho.
Minda had two shots in Ecuador’s game, playing 56 minutes but having the highest xG of any player on the side. He’s a very tempting price to find the back of the net, while centre backs Joel Ordonez and Willian Pacho could profit from Curacao’s weakness at set pieces. We saw Nico Schlotterbeck score a free header, so corners could be a favourable path to the back of the net for Ecuador here.
Tips: Alan Minda to score anytime @ 2.90. 0.5 units; Joel Ordonez to score anytime @ 7.20. 0.25 units; Willian Pacho to score anytime @ 9.60. 0.25 units.
Tunisia v Japan
World Cup Group F, Monterrey Stadium, Guadlupe, Mexico, 6am CET, Sunday 21st June
Prices: 6.20 Tunisia, 3.95 Draw, 5.20 Japan
Sabri Lamouchi was sacked in the aftermath of Tunisia’s heavy defeat and he’s been replaced by experienced international coach Herve Renard ahead of their second game against a strong Japan side. Japan matched Netherlands in the first game, and despite the change of manager, Renard won’t have time to change much, nor lift morale for his men here. Japan also overcame England in recent months and know a win is a must against the group’s outsiders, as they face the dangerous Sweden in the final match in the group, and I’m confident they’ll achieve that here.
Tip: Japan to win @ 1.52. 1.5 units.
Check out our interview with World Cup legend Henri Camara here.