What a day we had on Tuesday at the World Cup. Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland and Leo Messi all did what the greats do, take the spotlight and bend it to their will. France and Argentina both looked in good nick, and on Wednesday two more giants enter the stage: Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Kane.
And now, on Wednesday, two more giants step into the light: Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Kane. Two men who have carried nations, broken records, and shaped eras. Two men who will absolutely hate the idea of being overshadowed by the fireworks we saw yesterday.
On the punting front, it was a mixed day. France and Senegal did the business with goals, but Norway let us down by failing to win to nil against Iraq. As I write this, Marcel Sabitzer is buzzing around against Jordan like he’s had three espressos, so we’re still alive and swinging. And with the final batch of opening group games on the slate, there’s plenty of action to keep us entertained, and hopefully profitable.
Odds provided by Stake.com.
Portugal v DR Congo
World Cup Group K, Houston Stadium, Houston, USA, 7pm CET, Wednesday 17th June
Prices: 1.29 Portugal, 5.20 Draw, 9.80 DR Congo
The goals have started to flow at this World Cup, seventeen in the last five matches, and that trend should continue as Portugal open their account. DR Congo are one of the lowest‑ranked sides in the tournament. They’ve got talent in Cedric Bakambu and Yoane Wissa, but this is a huge step up in class.
Portugal, meanwhile, look primed for a strong run. And all eyes will be on Cristiano Ronaldo. You just know he watched Messi’s hat‑trick and Mbappé’s brace with that familiar glint in his eye, the one that says, “Move over, lads, it’s my turn.” He scored five in qualifying, 30 for Al‑Nassr this season, and he’ll have a conveyor belt of service from Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha and João Neves. Free kicks, penalties, ego, all in his favour.
DR Congo will scrap, they’ll fight, and they’ll have moments. But Portugal are a cut above, and Ronaldo will be desperate to stamp his name on this tournament early.
Tip: Portugal to win & Cristiano Ronaldo to score @ 1.95. 1 unit.
England v Croatia
World Cup Group L, Dallas Stadium, Dallas, USA, 10pm CET, Wednesday 17th June
Prices: 1.72 England, 3.70 Draw, 4.80 Croatia
England open their campaign with a fixture that looks tricky on paper but might not be as daunting in reality. Croatia have history in this matchup, the 2018 semi‑final still stings, but this Croatia side is older, slower, and lacking the sharpness that made them such a nightmare to play against.
England, meanwhile, are stacked. Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, the spine of a team that should be competing deep into the tournament. Thomas Tuchel made some bold squad calls, but he still has a group capable of controlling games and suffocating opponents.
This is England’s toughest group match, and they’ll want to set the tone early. Expect control, not chaos. A narrow win feels the right angle, professional, composed, and efficient.
This is a tough one to call, but Ghana have the higher ceiling. Semenyo, Inaki Williams and Jordan Ayew give them real attacking threat, even if results haven’t reflected it lately. They failed to qualify for AFCON and haven’t won since October, but they still possess more individual quality than Panama, who came through a soft qualifying route.
Tip: England to win & under 2.5 goals @ 3.52. 1 unit.
Ghana v Panama
World Cup Group L, Toronto Stadium, Toronto Stadium, Canada, 1am CET, Thursday 18th June
Prices: 2.25 Ghana, 3.15 Draw, 3.25 Panama
This one is a proper coin toss, but Ghana have the higher ceiling. Antoine Semenyo, Inaki Williams and Jordan Ayew give them real attacking threat, even if the results haven’t reflected it recently. They failed to qualify for AFCON and haven’t won since October, but they still possess more individual quality than Panama, who came through a soft qualifying route.
Ghana aren’t reliable, far from it, but they’re the better side here, and at odds‑against, they’re worth siding with.
Tip: Ghana to win @ 2.25. 1 unit.
Uzbekistan v Colombia
World Cup Group K, Azteca Stadium, Mexico City, Mexico, 4am CET, Thursday 18th June
Prices: 8.60 Uzbekistan, 4.60 Draw, 1.36 Colombia
Colombia are one of the teams I’m most excited to watch at this tournament. They scored freely in qualifying and have a front line stacked with creativity, pace and flair: Luis Díaz, James Rodríguez, Cucho Hernández, Jhon Arias, it’s a fun group.
Uzbekistan are debutants and will give everything, but the gulf in class is obvious. Colombia concede chances, but they create far more, and goals feel inevitable.
Tip: Colombia to win & over 2.5 goals @ 2.18. 1 unit.
Check out Tommy the Punter’s Tipping Record here.