So, every team has now played at the World Cup, and if the first round of matches taught us anything, it’s to always expect the unexpected. I know that’s a cliché, but there were plenty of things that caught my eye in the first round of games and I’ll try and take some of those learnings into the next round of fixtures. Day eight sees four games across three countries, and there’s plenty of value out there, so let’s sniff it out.
Odds provided by Stake.com.
Czechia v South Africa
World Cup Group A, Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, USA, 6pm CET, Thursday 18th June
Prices: 1.84 Czechia, 3.45 Draw, 4.20 South Africa
I backed Czechia for the draw against South Korea and, for a glorious little spell, it looked like one of those bets you tell your mates about for years. They took the lead, they were cruising, I was already mentally spending the winnings. Then South Korea turned it around, classic. Now they walk into a huge game against South Africa, who somehow managed to tick every box on the World Cup nightmare bingo card: two reds, a gift‑wrapped goal, and a performance so disjointed it looked like they’d met in the tunnel.
Things can’t get much worse for them, but the Czechs won’t want this drifting into a must‑win against Mexico on the final day. They’ve got too much individual quality, too much control, and in Patrick Schick they’ve got a finisher miles sharper than anything South Africa can throw back. They should get this done.
Tip: Czechia to win @ 1.84. 1 unit.
Switzerland v Bosnia & Herzegovina
World Cup Group B, Los Angeles Stadium, Inglewood, USA, 9pm CET, Thursday 18th June
Prices: 1.55 Switzerland, 3.95 Draw, 5.80 Bosnia & Herzegovina
Switzerland were another disappointment from what already feels like a lifetime ago on day two, but in fairness to them, Mahmud Abunada had the game of his life for Qatar before they nicked an injury‑time equaliser. It happens. Bosnia, meanwhile, got a really positive result against co‑hosts Canada and will be quietly fancying their chances of taking something here to put themselves in a strong position for the knockouts.
There’s a real temptation to go under 2.5 goals, it’s got that kind of cagey, tournament‑second‑game energy, but Switzerland usually play with purpose and they normally score. One player who really caught my eye against Qatar was Nottingham Forest’s Dan Ndoye. He was at the heart of everything they did: direct, lively, always involved.
So while the match outcome feels a bit trappy, Ndoye shots on target and/or a goal is a tidy little angle to play.
Tip: Dan Ndoye to score anytime @ 3.35. 0.5 units.
Canada v Qatar
World Cup Group B, BC Place, Vancouver, Canada, 12am CET, Friday 19th June
Prices: 1.28 Canada, 5.40 Draw, 9.80 Qatar
Canada will feel they left a couple of points behind against Bosnia. They went behind, reacted well, dominated the ball with 60% possession, racked up nine corners and 13 shots, but only three of those were on target, which tells its own story. The co‑hosts will want to draw a line under that and reset here, because this is the game that should ignite their campaign.
Qatar, to be fair, showed real spirit against Switzerland and were kept in it by a brilliant performance from Mahmud Abunada before snatching a late point. They won’t roll over, and it won’t be a stroll, but Canada simply have to win this. They’ve got the energy, the structure and the attacking profiles to cause Qatar far more problems than the Swiss managed.
If Canada play with the same intent but sharpen up in the final third, they should get the job done.
Tip: Canada to win & under 3.5 goals @ 1.82. 1 unit.
Mexico v South Korea
World Cup Group A, Estadio Guadalajara, Zapopan, Mexico, 3am CET, Friday 19th June
Prices: 2.02 Mexico, 3.25 Draw, 3.95 South Korea
Mexico got the job done in their opener, but let’s be honest, they were helped massively by a South Africa side who looked like they were still jet‑lagged. Two reds, a defensive calamity and barely a coherent passage of play. Mexico took advantage, fair enough, but this is a very different test.
South Korea, by contrast, had to fight hard for their opening win. They went behind to Czechia, stayed calm, moved the ball well and turned it around with real quality. There was structure, there was energy, and there was none of the chaos we saw from South Africa.
This feels properly even to me. Mexico have the names, Korea have the cohesion, and neither looks miles ahead of the other. And with draws proving the most profitable angle of the first round, I’m happy to lean into the trend.
I’m siding with the draw here, tight, competitive, and exactly the kind of game that finishes level.
Tip: Draw @ 3.25. 1 unit.
Check out Tommy the Punter’s Tipping Record here.