Thursday we cashed some big plays including correctly predicting there would not be a goal in the Paraguay/Australia game (+390). We’ll look to keep that momentum turning into Friday. We’re taking a look at each individual matchup and helping you with every way to play each match. We’ve got the World Cup Best Bets for June 26 – and we’ll have them every day.
Another six games will help to close out three more groups. Come check out what we have cooked up for today’s slate of action.
CHECK OUT THE SPORTS GAMBLING PODCAST’S DAILY BEST BETS
Daily World Cup Best Bets – June 26th
Senegal vs. Iraq
Kickoff – 3:00 pm EST
BMO Field – Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Broadcast – FS1
While not mathematically eliminated, Iraq is functionally out of this tournament by virtue of a -6 goal differential. They’d not only need a win here, but would need to make up a lot of that group in order to even be in the running for one of those third place spots. As a result, I expect them to strike aggressively, which should open them up to counters.
If Iraq does bring that style, it really opens up the counter for Senegal. They were good at picking up goals that way throughout qualifying as well as in the Africa Cup of Nations. With Nicolas Jackson and Ismaïla Sarr stretching defenses, they should find some openings to get a winner and put themselves in contention for a knockout stage berth.
Best Bets for Senegal/Iraq: Senegal -1.5 (-155) and Over 3.5 Goals (+130)
Norway vs. France
Kickoff – 3:00 pm EST
Gillette Stadium – Foxborough, Massachusetts
Broadcast – FOX
Even though both of these teams are on to the next stage, there is still plenty to play for in this one. The winner of this will get a knockout stage game with Ivory Coast, while the other will get a third place team yet to be determined. In addition, I think this is a circumstance where Norway will be looking to make a statement about being included along with the favorites in the field.
Should this wind up a tie, France will be the one who takes the group. As a result, I think they play it safe with the massive – physically and tactically – attack of Norway. Look for a low scoring game and a French team that will settle for a draw.
Best Bets for Norway/France: Draw (+370) and Under 2.5 Goals (+160)
Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia
Kickoff – 8:00 pm EST
NRG Stadium – Houston, Texas
Broadcast – FS1
After the surprise on matchday one, I doubted that Cape Verde would be able to find the magic again. Then they went ahead and gave Uruguay a game – picking up another draw with a second half goal. Now they are in position to take out one of the worst teams in the group and guarantee themselves a spot in the knockout stage. Although it is worth mentioning, a draw should be enough to advance as well. After selling last game, I’m buying back in for this one.
The big change for me is how their offense looked in the second game. They didn’t have much in the way of possession, but they were constantly throwing shots on goal. Laros Duarte and Hélio Varela both came on as late subs and seemed to have a nose for the goal. With that and some lockdown goal keeping from Vozinha, look for them to win their first World Cup game and take second in this group.
Best Bets for Cape Verde/Saudi Arabia: Cape Verde ML (+170) and Over 1.5 Goals (-255)
Uruguay vs. Spain
Kickoff – 8:00 pm EST
Estadio Akron – Guadalajara, Mexico
Broadcast – FOX
Spain took the embarrassment of their draw to Cape Verde well. They responded by absolutely taking it to Saudi Arabia. While they had control for the whole game, the first 30 minutes was a master class and a spectacle. With scorers like Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal up front, it feels like they can just turn that on at any time. Uruguay had trouble when Cape Verde turned up the pressure, so I can’t imagine them having many answers for what Spain will bring on Friday.
Best Bets for Uruguay/Spain: Spain ML (-160) and Over 3.5 Goals (+300)
New Zealand vs. Belgium
Kickoff – 11:00 pm EST
BC Place – Vancouver, BC, Canada
Broadcast – FOX
Belgium finds themselves in a dangerous spot on Friday. They need a win to guarantee a spot in the knockout stage – although a third draw would almost certainly be enough too. They find themselves in this precarious spot due to a power outage up front. They managed just one goal in back-to-back draws with Iran and Egypt. Even that goal was an own goal. However, some of that is just bad luck. They finished the first two games of the group with over 3.00 expected goals scored and we’ve seen pressure from all the familiar faces.
New Zealand’s defense struggled in both of their first games. Max Crocombe has been peppered and he’s likely not about to get a break here.
Best Bets for New Zealand/Belgium: Belgium -1.5 (-200) and Over 3.5 Goals (-130)
Egypt vs. Iran
Kickoff – 11:00 pm EST
Lumen Field – Seattle, Washington
Broadcast – FS1
Iran has the results to put themselves in position to advance with a result, but the underlying metrics tell us that they haven’t been as good as the table shows. They were outpossessed by a New Zealand team that has struggled to put together much offense against quality teams. That same New Zealand team was on their heels for much of the game against Egypt.
Add in that Egypt has finishers who have done so at the top level like Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush, and they should be able to get the three points.
Best Bets for Egypt/Iran: Egypt (+150) and Over 2.5 Goals (+175)
If you’d like even more info to help make your World Cup bets, check out the World Cup Gambling Podcast. They’re dropping episodes for the whole tournament to make you the smartest guy/gal at the bar with their World Cup picks today.
