World Cup

World Cup Matches of The Day: Week 4

MONDAY
30 June 3:00am AWST

South Africa v Canada
Los Angeles Stadium, California

South Africa have been one of the surprise packets of the tournament, grinding out results when they’ve needed them most to book a place in the knockout rounds. They don’t score many goals, but they’ve defended with plenty of discipline and have shown they’re comfortable frustrating more fancied opposition.

Canada have looked more convincing with every match. Their 6-0 win over Qatar was one of the standout performances of the group stage, and even in defeat to Switzerland they created plenty of chances. Jesse Marsch’s side have played with confidence and intensity, making them one of the more entertaining teams left in the competition.

Jonathan David continues to be Canada’s biggest weapon in the final third, while Alphonso Davies’ pace gives them another avenue to create chances. If Canada can move the ball quickly and stretch South Africa’s defence, opportunities should come.

South Africa won’t make life easy, but Canada have looked the more complete side throughout the tournament and should have enough quality to progress.

VERDICT: Canada 2-0 South Africa

Same Game Multi: Canada to Qualify, Jonathan David to Score or Assist & Canada Most Corners @ $3.10*


TUESDAY
30 June 9:00am AWST

Netherlands v Morocco
Monterrey Stadium, Guadalupe

The Netherlands have steadily built into the tournament and now find themselves in a strong position heading into the knockout rounds. They’ve shown a good balance between defensive structure and attacking threat, with their midfield controlling games effectively and their forwards creating consistent chances.

Morocco have once again proven how difficult they are to break down. Organised, disciplined and dangerous on the counter, they’ve frustrated opponents throughout the group stage and will look to do the same here. Their ability to stay compact and strike quickly makes them a genuine threat in knockout football.

The Dutch should see more of the ball and create the better chances, but Morocco’s resilience means this is unlikely to be straightforward. Expect a tight contest where both sides have their moments, with neither able to fully take control across 90 minutes.

This one could go the distance, with the Netherlands just having enough composure to edge things when it matters most.

VERDICT: 1-1 (Netherlands win on penalties)

Same Game Multi: Both Teams to Score, Saibari Over 0.5 Shots on Target & Brobbey Over 0.5 Shots on Target @ $5*


WEDNESDAY
1 July 5:00am AWST

France v Sweden
MetLife Stadium, New Jersey

France have looked every bit the tournament favourites many expected before kick-off. Their squad is packed with world-class talent, and after dispatching Norway 4-1 in the previous round, confidence will be high heading into another tricky knockout clash.

Sweden have put together an impressive tournament and boast one of the competition’s most dangerous strike partnerships in Viktor Gyökeres and Alexander Isak. They will need both forwards at their very best if they are to trouble France.

France have controlled games brilliantly through midfield, allowing Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé the freedom to attack isolated defenders. Sweden will likely look to stay compact and hit quickly on the counter, but containing France’s attacking quality for 90 minutes is a daunting task.

VERDICT: France 3-0 Sweden

Same Game Multi: France to Win, Kylian Mbappé to Score & Ousmane Dembélé Over 0.5 Shots on Target @ $2.32*


THURSDAY
2 July 8:00am AWST

USA v Bosnia & Herzegovina
San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, California

The USA have quietly become one of the form teams of the tournament. Their group stage performances were full of energy and attacking intent, and despite falling short against Turkey in their final match, they’d already done enough to top the group.

Folarin Balogun has led from the front once again, with the USA managing Christian Pulisic’s minutes through the group stage, but he looks set to be raring to go for the knockout rounds. Balogun also looks to be growing into the tournament with every appearance. The Americans have shown they’re capable of creating chances from all areas of the pitch, making them difficult to defend for long periods.

Bosnia & Herzegovina deserve plenty of credit for reaching the knockout rounds and have shown enough attacking quality to suggest they can trouble the USA. They’ll need to take their chances though, because opportunities may be limited against one of the tournament’s most balanced sides.

Expect Bosnia & Herzegovina to have their moments, but the USA’s pace and attacking depth should eventually prove too much as they continue their impressive World Cup campaign.

VERDICT: USA 3-1 Bosnia & Herzegovina

Same Game Multi: USA to Win, Folarin Balogun to Score & Christian Pulisic Over 1.5 Shots @ $4.10*


FRIDAY
3 July 3:00am AWST

Spain v Austria
Los Angeles Stadium, California

Spain remain one of the most technically gifted sides left in the tournament and their possession-based style continues to wear opponents down. Even when they are not at their most fluent, they have the control and patience to dictate matches.

Austria arrive with plenty of belief and have shown they can cause problems going forward, but the space they leave in transition could be exposed against a Spanish side that thrives on quick combinations and intelligent movement.

Lamine Yamal continues to be one of Spain’s most dangerous attacking outlets. His ability to beat defenders one-on-one and create chances from wide areas gives Spain another dimension, and Austria will need to find a way to limit his influence.

VERDICT: Spain 2-0 Austria

Same Game Multi: Spain to Go Through, Lamine Yamal to Score or Assist & Lamine Yamal Over 2.5 Total Shots @ $2.14*


SATURDAY
4 July 2:00am AWST

Australia v Egypt
Dallas Stadium, Texas

Australia have embraced a pragmatic approach throughout the tournament. They have not always been the most entertaining side to watch, but their organisation, discipline and resilience have made them incredibly difficult to beat.

Egypt have impressed throughout the competition and possess genuine quality in the final third. Mohamed Salah remains their biggest threat, while Omar Marmoush provides movement and creativity around him, giving Australia plenty to think about.

This shapes as one of the tightest contests of the Round of 32. Australia will look to stay compact, frustrate Egypt and capitalise from set pieces or moments in transition, while Egypt are likely to enjoy more possession and attempt to dictate the tempo.

If Australia can keep the match within reach, they will back themselves to grind out another result and continue what has already been an impressive World Cup campaign.

VERDICT: Australia 1-1 Egypt (Australia win on penalties)

Same Game Multi: Australia or Draw, Australia Goalkeeper Over 1.5 Saves & Jordan Bos Over 0.5 Fouls @ $2.63*

*Odds correct at the time of publication.

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