World Cup Betting Tips: Predictions & Best Odds For Friday’s Games
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England are the heavy favourites to beat the USA when the second round of World Cup group stage games get underway on Friday.
Betting sites have priced the Three Lions at 4/7 to build on their 6-2 win against Iran by securing another victory.
Football fans can also look forward to a vital showdown between Wales and Iran on Friday, while Qatar will take on Senegal at Al Thumama Stadium.
Dutch defensive titan Virgil van Dijk will go head-to-head with Ecuador’s two-goal hero, Enner Valencia in the other big game, so there it promises to be an exciting day.
We have scoured all the best World Cup betting sites to find the most enticing markets and the sharpest odds on Friday’s action.
Wales vs Iran, Friday, 10am
Iran’s defence looked worryingly porous during their 6-2 mauling at the hands of England earlier this week.
Gareth Southgate’s men also hit the woodwork in that game and missed a few presentable chances, so the winning margin could have been higher.
However, the Iranians posed a clear threat on the counter, and Porto striker Mehdi Taremi ended the game with a well-taken brace, so the Welsh defenders will need to have their wits about them.
Wales delivered a limp, laborious performance in the first half of their 1-1 draw with the USA, but they looked like a different team after the break.
Manager Robert Page threw on Kieffer Moore, an underrated target man, and went for a more direct approach, which paid dividends.
It would make sense to keep that shape against Iran, and that should allow Wales to get on the score sheet in this game.
Yet Iran’s attacking prowess was clear against England, and this is now a must-win game for the top-ranked team in Asia, so we could witness an open and entertaining affair.
That’s why backing both sides to find the net on football betting sites makes sense in this one.
Tip: Both Teams To Score - 23/20 With Unibet
Qatar vs Senegal, Friday, 1pm
Qatar were awful when slumping to a 2-0 defeat against Ecuador in the opening game of the tournament.
The Ecuadorians were unlucky to have a goal chalked off for offside following a controversial VAR intervention, but they then set about calmly dismantling a weak Qatari backline.
The hosts created a few presentable chances when trailing by a two-goal margin, but their finishing was wayward, and they were deservedly beaten.
Another defeat on Friday would end their chances of reaching the Round of 16, but they face another stern challenge against Senegal.
The African champions were dealt a hammer blow on the eve of the tournament when talismanic forward Sadio Mané was ruled out with an injury. They lacked cutting edge in attack during a tense 2-0 defeat to the Netherlands, but there is no great shame in drawing a blank against Van Dijk, Nathan Aké and Matthijs de Ligt.
The Lions of Teranga should have a better time in front of goal when they take on a Qatari team that looked very sloppy against Ecuador.
Mané is a big miss, but Ismaïla Sarr and Boulaye Dia are dangerous in attack, and Senegal should have just about enough quality to secure a narrow victory in this match.
Tip: Senegal To Win & Under 4.5 Goals – 5/6 with Coral
Netherlands vs Ecuador, Friday, 4pm
These teams are level on three points apiece at the top of Group A after they each secured 2-0 victories in their opening matches.
The Netherlands’ victory was arguably more impressive, as it came against a talented, athletic Senegal team.
It was delicately poised at 0-0 with just six minutes of regulation time left on the clock when highly-rated forward Cody Gakpo finally made the breakthrough. Gakpo’s transfer odds on new betting sites will certainly be worth keeping an eye on come January.
Davy Klaassen then sealed the victory in the 10th minute of injury time after gobbling up the rebound following a weak save from Edouard Mendy.
The Dutch are blessed with such a strong defence that Inter’s Stefan de Vrij and Ajax starlet Jurrien Timber cannot even get in the team.
A midfield led by Frenkie de Jong is also superb, with Daley Blind and Denzel Dumfries serving as dangerous wing-backs, but they lack quality in attack.
Victor Janssen and Steven Bergwijn struggled against Senegal, whereas they looked more dangerous after putting Gakpo up front and bringing on Memphis Depay and Klaassen to support him. If they opt for a similar approach against Ecuador, they should win this game.
The South American side did well to beat Qatar, with Valencia and Brighton duo Pervis Estupiñán and Moisés Caicedo excelling, but a game against the Netherlands is a major step up in class, and they could ultimately be ground down in the second half.
Tip: Netherlands To Win - 4/5 With William Hill
England vs USA, Friday, 7pm
England should be surging with confidence after they thrashed Iran 6-2 in their opening game of the competition.
Their passing and movement was on point, vindicating Southgate’s decision to abandon his usual 3-4-2-1 formation and opt for a bolder 4-2-3-1 approach.
If he sticks with the same starting XI on Friday, the Three Lions should be able to put a few goals past the Americans and their heavy favouritism on betting apps back that up.
Gregg Berhalter’s men wilted in the second half of their game against Wales, which does not augur well for a clash with England.
Southgate was able to bring on Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford - three of the world’s most valuable players - after the break against Iran, and that is a terrifying prospect for Walker Zimmerman and Tim Ream.
This is unlikely to be another game in which The Three Lions go goal crazy, but England should secure a reasonably comfortable win if they maintain the performance levels they displayed against Iran.
If you give them a -1 handicap, you will be paid out if they win by two or more goals on Friday night.
Tip: England -1 - 6/4 with Bet365
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