Some teams know their fate, others need to win this week, but both scenarios present five World Cup bets that gamblers can take advantage of as Russia 2018 wraps up the group phase. Teams like England and Belgium can relax, while Australia and Argentina will have to win and get help from others to move on to the Round of 16. OG found some of the best betting opportunities this dynamic presents.
1. Australia +200 vs. Peru
The Aussie team is facing Peru, who is already eliminated. Australia can advance if they defeat Peru, score more than two goals than Peru, and have Denmark lose to France.
Obvious motivation for Australia, but how much fight will the Peru players have, and will they want to play the role of spoilers? We don’t think so and at + 200, this moneyline bet should cash.
2. Nigeria +500 vs. Argentina
Argentina was supposed to breeze through Group D and was one of the top picks to win the World Cup. Instead the team has sputtered badly. They tied Iceland, and then lost to Croatia, 3-0.
Oddsmakers believe Argentina will wake up on Tuesday, but the Nigerian squad defeated them in a friendly match in November, 4-2, and this moneyline bet is too tempting not to take.
“We know we can do it, our confidence is coming back,” said Coach Gernot Rohr.
Bettors believe they can do it as well. The line at Bovada moved from +525 to +500 shortly after it was put up.
3. Germany wins 1-0, 2-0, or 2-1 vs. South Korea
With a minute remaining in stoppage time against Sweden on Saturday, Germany saved its World Cup with an incredible goal by Toni Kroos. That victory kept the defending champions streak alive of advancing to the Round of 16. They are +170 to win with any of those three scores when they face South Korea.
They haven’t missed a knockout round since 1938, and with a victory over South Korea they should get in. South Korea is without its captain, Ki Sung-yueng, who will miss the game with a calf injury.
Their hopes to advance in Group F are still alive, though on life support. They need to defeat Germany, and then have Mexico beat Sweden.
Germany will be without Jerome Boateng, who received a red card in the Sweden match and will be forced to sit out. Sebastian Rudy broke his nose on Saturday, but is expected to be in the lineup.
4. Switzerland 2-0 vs. Costa Rica +700
The Swiss can advance out of Group E with a victory over Costa Rica, while their opponents are playing merely for pride, having already been eliminated with two losses.
Costa Rica failed to score a goal in defeats to Serbia and Brazil, and the trend should continue on Wednesday. Yielding two goals to Switzerland seems pretty likely. At +700 it is a true value bet.
The only factor that could turn this upside down is if three Swiss players are suspended for making politically charged hand gestures towards Serbian players in Saturday’s 2-1 win. If they are suspended, we like the 1-0 bet at +500.
5. England by One Goal Over Belgium +325
Both England and Belgium have already advanced to the Round of 16, but are playing to see who will be the winner of Group G. This apparently means more to England than it does Belgium.
Belgium Coach Roberto Martinez has hinted he will rest Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard. Three other players have yellow cards, and they may see limited action.
England’s Harry Kane is leading the Golden Boot Race, and might want to add to his five goals. Expect the team to pressure often and end up winning either 1-0, or 2-1.
