By J.T. CHADWELL
PORTUGAL VS UZBEKISTAN
All eyes are on Portugal as it tries and erase the memory of a tepid 1-1 draw in its opening match against DR Congo. Not really much to discuss in this matchup. Either Portugal steps up and proves last match was a fluke like Spain did, or Portugal is not a team we can consider seriously the rest of the way. I’m going for the former.
- Low risk parlay toss in: Portugal moneyline (-500)
- Average risk play: Bruno Fernandes OVER 79.5 passes (-110)\
- High risk parlay: Portugal -1.5 AND Fernandes to assist (+240)
ENGLAND VS GHANA
England looked better than most expected against Croatia, surprisingly due to the emphatic attack. Croatia is an aging team that doesn’t defend well, but putting four goals against them was impressive. Ghana picked up a late goal to get a massive three points against Paraguay, so you’ve got to believe Ghana is doing all it can to draw this game and will park the bus. Can England break down a packed in Ghanaian defense?
- Low risk parlay toss in: England moneyline (-450)
- Average risk parlay: Game under 3.5 goals AND Harry Kane a shot on target (-130)
- High risk play: England to win either 1-0 or 2-0 (+225)
PANAMA VS CROATIA
The two losers in the first round of games in Group L essentially play an elimination game. Both teams desperately need three points if they hope to advance. Croatia is clearly the better team on paper, but is its roster just too old at this point to make another deep run? Croatia has a knack for conceding to just about anyone so I think Panama can get on the board in this one.
- Low risk parlay toss in: Panama +2.5 (-550)
- Average risk play: Both teams to score YES (-115)
- High risk parlay: Both teams to score AND Panama over 3.5 corners AND No draw double chance (+400)
COLOMBIA VS DR CONGO
After getting three points against Uzbekistan, Colombia can all but put the group to bed with a win here. Even though Colombia scored three against the Uzbeks, it only generated four shots on target, and the expected goals data points were close to even. I’m not sure this one is going to be as easy as it looks on paper for the Colombians.
- Low risk parlay toss in: Colombia double chance AND Colombia 1st to 3 corners (-225)
- Average risk parlay: Both teams to score NO AND Colombia under 2.5 goals (-120)
- High risk play: Colombia to win 1-0 or 2-0 (+180)
Record
Low risk: 34-10
Average risk: 20-24
High risk: 11-32 (1 voided)
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