The World Junior Championship concludes on Friday with the Bronze Medal Game and Gold Medal Game!
On Thursday, Sweden pulled away from Czechia in a 5-2 win, and Team USA came back from a 2-0 deficit to beat Finland on a late power-play goal by Philadelphia Flyers prospect Cutter Gauthier.
The final games of the World Juniors are now set with Czechia vs. Finland for bronze and USA vs. Sweden for gold.
World Juniors Finals Betting Preview
Czechia vs. Finland – 9 a.m. ET
Puck line: Czechia +1.5 (-195) / Finland -1.5 (+165)
Moneyline: Czechia +145 / Finland -165
Total: Over 5.5 (-120) / Under 5.5 (+100)
Czechia had a strong showing throughout the tournament after coming up short in the gold medal game last year. They were 3-0-1 in pool play with a goal differential of 21-9 in four games, only losing to Team USA in a shootout.
The Czechs then took out Canada on a late goal in the quarterfinals but couldn’t get past Sweden in the semifinals despite scoring first in the game.
Finland started off the tournament with two losses to Canada and Germany before getting on their game against Latvia and a shootout win against Sweden to close out pool play. They squeaked past Slovakia in overtime to advance to the semifinals but coughed up a 2-0 lead to fall to Team USA.
The Finns did not medal last year after earning the bronze in 2022 and bronze in 2021.
This should be a close game between two worthy opponents. Finland’s last three games were all decided by one goal with two of them going past regulation.
Bronze Medal Game Best Bet: Czechia +1.5 (-195) / Under 5.5 (+100) / To go to OT (+350)
USA vs. Sweden – 1:30 p.m. ET
Puck line: USA -1.5 (+195) / Sweden +1.5 (-235)
Moneyline: USA -145 / Sweden +125
Total: Over 5.5 (+100) / Under 5.5 (-120)
Team USA is looking to run through this year’s World Junior Championship undefeated. They beat Norway, Switzerland, Slovakia, and Latvia by a combined score of 32-8 but struggled against Czechia (4-3 shootout win) and barely got past Finland on Thursday.
Sweden is hosting this tournament and a large majority of the crowd will be pulling for the Swedes. They have just one blemish on their record — a 5-4 shootout loss to Finland — but easily handled Czechia in the semifinals to advance to the gold medal game.
It’s hard to bet against Sweden at home. Team USA has flown too close to the sun a few times this season and got away with it. They won’t be able to against Sweden.
Bronze Medal Game Best Bet: Sweden (+125) / Under 5.5 (-120) / To go to OT (+320)
