By J.T. CHADWELL
Another busy day in the group stage. Let’s get to it.
On the low risk bets, you notice I list them as a “parlay toss in.” This is because the odds on each individual wager are so low that it’s not a viable wager. Stacking them in a parlay, however, gives you a favorable payout.
USA VS AUSTRALIA
The USA was arguably the most impressive team out of all 48 in its opening match, but the Aussies looked good as well. USA can almost guarantee a group win with a win here, while Australia will probably be happy with a draw and one point to strengthen its case for a Round of 32 spot. Both teams’ defense can be quite shaky at times, so let’s look for both teams to get one into the back of the net.
- Low risk parlay toss in: USA double chance (win or draw) (-600)
- Average risk play: Both teams to score YES (+100)
- High risk play: USA to win 2-0 or 2-1 (+300)
SCOTLAND VS MOROCCO
Big-time match here as the Scots are currently in the drivers’ spot for the group. The Tartan Army, which has been drinking all the beer in Boston, would be thrilled to grab a point from this game, while Morocco probably feels like it needs a win and three points if it wants to take the group. Can Scotland’s weak defense stymie Morocco enough to get the point they need? That is the burning question.
- Low risk parlay toss in: Scotland under 1.5 team total goals (-600)
- Average risk play: Both teams to score NO (-140)
- High risk parlay: First half under 0.5 goals AND Morocco team total over 0.5 (+278)
BRAZIL VS HAITI
Brazil gets a little bit of a break on the scheduling, as it gets the easiest match in its group after a 1-1 draw with Morocco. Brazil wasn’t overly impressive in its opener, but I think both teams in that match were happy with a 1-1 draw with it being the first game of the competition. Now with some class relief, Brazil should have no problems getting three points.
- Low risk parlay toss in: Brazil over 1.5 team total goals AND win the race to 5 corners (-380)
- Average risk parlay: Brazil over 1.5 team total goals AND Haiti under 0.5 goals (-125)
- High risk play: Raphinha over 1.5 goal contributions (goals and assists) (+225)
TURKIYE VS PARAGUAY
Loser goes home in this one, for two teams that for sure had hopes of making it to the knockout stage. Both teams looked quite poor in their openers. Turkiye is probably better on paper, but is its youth ready to step up on a stage this big? Paraguay on the other hand boasted a strong defense that the USA scored five goals against last week,
- Low risk parlay toss in: Paraguay +1.5 (-425)
- Average risk play: Paraguay double chance (-125)
- High risk play: Paraguay Draw no bet (Paraguay to win; draw voids the ticket) (+175)
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