WORLD CUP 2022 Preview & Picks Thread

DJ

NICE!!!

Mexico v Saudi Arabia

43. Total Cards OVER 4.5 @ 1.93/-107 (1u) Unibet

A meeting between the 8th and 9th ranked most carded teams. A pro Saudi crowd will be in the ears of the referee and I expect cards as both sides will go all out trying to win. Playing not to lose won't help either side and I expect Mexico to have problems with the speed of the Saudis on the counter.

LEAN

Red Card in match Yes @ 6.25/+525 Unibet

@docpj72

@Fuse

Poland v Argentina

44. Total Goals OVER 2.5 @ 2.25/+125 (1u) Marathon

There is too much value at plus money not to back the over when you have Lewandowski on one side and Messi on the other. Argentina need the win to advance and I think they get it. Poland will sit back letting Argentina to control the game happy with the draw but eventually they will be broken down. Thinking 3-1, 2-1 final.

LEAN

BTTS Yes @ 2.48/+148 Unibet

Canada v Morocco

44. Total Cards Under 4 @ 1.75/-133 (2u) Bet365

Canada with nothing to play for but pride will go into this game loose. The experience this team has amassed for the next world cup that they will co host is key. Canada might give some fringe/young players a chance to play. Morocco has yet to concede a goal and a win or a draw gets them through to the next round. Typically we see the card count go under when one of the teams has nothing to play for. Add to that this game will be officiated by the most chilled referee Raphael Claus who has given out the lowest amount of cards of all the officials at this tournament averaging 1 yellow card per game. I don't see too much intensity in this match thinking 2-1 Morocco. 

LEAN

Morocco ML @ 2.18/+118 Unibet

Belgium v Croatia

45. Croatia PK @ 2.00/+100 (2u) Marathon

Belgium has looked like trash in their first 2 games. De Bruyne is MIA and fighting with teammates Vertonghen and Hazard. Martinez is clearly clueless and might be the first manager sacked after they fail to qualify. Lukaku is still not 100% healthy and now Belgium need a result versus the runners up of the last world cup. Form wise Croatia have 6 wins and one draw in their last 7. Belgium have only one undeserved victory versus Canada in their last 4 games to go along with 3 losses to Egypt, Morocco & the Netherlands. It seems the big side to implode at this world cup is Belgium. I would have gone full ML here but all the Croatians need is a draw.

LEAN

Croatia ML @ 2.76/+176 Unibet

DJ

What does bbts mean

@DiamondJack

@TuttiMac98

 you mean BTTS = both teams to score

@docpj72

Germany v Costa Rica

46. 2nd Half Goals OVER 2 @ 2.00/+100 (1u) LasBet

All the total and side numbers appear correct. I expect this game to go much like the Argentina/Poland game. It will be wave and wave of German attack and eventually they will break Costa Rica down. I expect the ticos to park the bus and try to get lucky from a set piece. Once Germany scores that first one the flood gates might open. I'm hoping the goals come in the 2nd half.

LEAN

Total Goals OVER 3.5 @ 1.92/-108 Pinnacle

Spain v Japan

NO PLAYS

This all depends which Japan side shows up. The one that beat Germany or the one that lost to Costa Rica. All that Spain neeed is a draw so which side shows up there?. Passing on this game, might play it in game if Spain seem uninterested and Japan show life.

LEAN

Japan +1.25 @ 1.84/-119 Pinnacle

Portugal v Korea

 47. Total Goals OVER 2.5 @ 2.01/+101 (1u) Bet365

The last game of the group stages always has more scoring as teams go all out to get a result. Korea is exactly that team that needs to all out to get a win. Portugal are likely to rest players having 2 wins in their pocket so I'm staying away from any side plays. I have Portugal going to the final but I'm not going to back them if they don't need to win, see France.

LEAN

BTTS YES @ 1.91/-110 Bet365

Uruguay v Ghana

 48. Ghana +0.5 @ 2.21/+121 (1u) Pinnacle

I think we are seeing the end of a generation for Uruguay. If they start 35 year old Cavani with 35 year old Suarez you might as well wave the white flag and start 48 year old yours truly. Ghana scored 5 goals in their last 2 games versus Portugal & Korea. Uruguay has scored ZERO goals in their first 2 games. Ghana can sit back and go through with a draw wile a toothless Uruguay attack is bound to open up a chance or two on the counter. Darwin Nunez needs to lead the south Americans in attack and he might score one, however I think Ghana gets their revenge from 2010 and sends Uruguay packing.

LEAN

BTTS YES @ 1.98/-102 Pinnacle

Switzerland v Serbia

 49. Total Cards OVER 4.5 @ 1.85/-117 (1u) Bet365

Serbia complained at the last world cup in 2018 when Switzerland was awarded a late penalty to send them home. They get one very card happy referee Fernando Rapallini who averages 5.20 yellow cards per game. Switzerland has a bunch of players from the former Yugoslavia that there is no love lost between them and Serbia. Considering the flag that was displayed in the Serbian dressing room last week. I expect this game to get ugly.

LEAN

Red Card in match YES @ 4.75/+375 Unibet

Brazil v Cameroon

50. Total goals Under 3 @ 1.72/-139 (1u) Pinnacle

Brazil has yet to concede a goal and no team has even had a shot on target on them. They will be fielding their B team here with intent to rest players. Brazil still should win easy here as they should name their final score versus a weak Cameroon squad. It all depends on how much they care. Looks like a 2-0 final for me.

LEAN

Brazil win to Nil @ 2.10/+110 Bet365

USA v Netherlands

51. Netherlands ML @ 2.00/+100 (3u) Unibet

52. Totals Goals UNDER 2 @ 2.13/+113 (1u) Pinnacle

Way too much respect is being given to an American squad who finished below Canada & Mexico in qualification. The USA has only 1 win in their last 6 games and that was versus Iran. They could not beat Wales, Saudia Arabia or El Salvador and I'm getting even money versus Holland. Holland is on an 18 game unbeaten run and they drew their group game versus Ecuador with their B team as they rested players. The USA did not rest any one they are hurting with Pulisic who will not be 100% with a pelvic injury and Josh Sargent might not play with an ankle injury. I had this line at 1.50/-200.

LEAN

Netherlands -1.5 @ 3.81/+281 Pinnacle

GL DJ! Great approach, I think the Oranje could roll…

@wolfeman3

@DiamondJack

 My heart with Dutch too despite me being American but Dutch squad apparently down with a massive flu 

@DiamondJack

Best of luck, my man!  My only futures surviving at this moment is the Oranje but man, have they looked blah.  Average.  I hear your points on the USA but man, it really could happen.  The draw is getting a lot of love on the board, so I think the play is the under.  Watch, it will be a 3-3 type of match.  Keep doing your thang, my man!

DJ-good luck-should be a great match!

DJ - under 2 is solid. Gl to us. 

Argentina v Australia

53. Argentina -2 @ 2.55/+155 (1u) GGbet

I'm sticking to my pick to win it all and Australia should not be a problem. One way traffic expected here. I see the exact game as when Australia got smoked 4-1 in their opening game versus France. Argentina already got their scare in the group stage in the opening game. They have improved after each game and looked solid versus Mexico and even better versus Poland.

LEAN

Total Goals OVER 2.5 @ 1.85/-117 Unibet

@Disbarred

@docpj72

@KJ1000

@Ildjarn