By J.T. CHADWELL
CROATIA VS GHANA
Not much to unpack here. One point moves both forward and zero points for Croatia puts that side in danger of being out. The difference between second and third in this group rests squarely on the Colombia-Portugal result, and that’s not much of a difference. The Croatians are probably a little better technically, but will they really press to try and win this match?
- Low risk parlay toss ins: Croatia double chance AND game under 4.5 goals (-500)
- Average risk parlay: Game under 2.5 goals AND under 10.5 corners (+110)
- High risk play: 3 way moneyline DRAW (+240)
ENGLAND VS PANAMA
England will most likely want three points from this game, if the Three Lions can get it. And they should against Panama. However. the English also should have won against Ghana, but were stymied in a scoreless draw where the attack looked stale. Panama has to have three points to have any chance of advancing, but breaking down this England defense will be a tall task.
- Low risk parlay toss in: England moneyline (-575)
- Average risk parlay: Both teams to score NO AND England race to 5 corners AND England under 4.5 team goals (+110)
- High risk play: England to win 2-0 or 3-0 (+230)
DR CONGO VS UZBEKISTAN
Congo has to have three points from this game in order to advance while Uzbekistan is playing for pride. The Congo defense has been surprisingly stout in its 2 matches to this point allowing only two combined big chances to Colombia and Portugal, both of which are very good attacking teams that are much better than Congo. If the Congo side can find a goal it’s not impossible to keep Uzbekistan off the board and get those 3three points.
- Low risk parlay toss in: Uzbekistan under 1.5 team goals (-350)
- Average risk parlay: Congo double chance AND Congo under 3.5 goals AND Yoane Wissa 2+ attempted shots (-110)
- High risk play: DR Congo to win 1-0 or 2-1 (+290)
COLOMBIA VS PORTUGAL
Maybe the most heavyweight game of the entire group stage here, and Colombia holds the edge for the group just needing a draw to stay atop the group. How much does Portugal want to top the group? My guess is a lot, as the draw for the first-place team is much easier than for the runner-up. Which Portugal shows up: the one that played Congo or the one that routed Uzbekistan? Because that latter version of Portugal can get the job done and take first place in this group.
- Low risk parlay toss in: Colombia under 1.5 team goals (-375)
- Average risk play: Portugal moneyline (-115)
- High risk play: Portugal to win 2-1 or a 1-1 draw (+285)
ARGENTINA VS JORDAN
I’m not wasting my time or yours. Argentina could pull fans from the stands and win if it wanted to.
- Low risk parlay toss in: Argentina moneyline (-550)
- Average risk parlay: Both teams to score NO AND Argentina race to 3 corners (-110)
- High risk play: Argentina to win 2-0 (+475)
ALGERIA VS AUSTRIA
This could be the funniest game in the history of the World Cup. With the new format combined with luck of the draw, third place is where you want to be in this group because the second-place team draws Spain. That gives Austria incentive to lose this game. However, with the rules for third-place teams advancing to the knockout stage, neither team probably wants to risk its goal differentials and will happily take a draw and move on advance. Austria’s best result is to lose by one, but if Algeria presses after that, then the Austrians risk being eliminated.
- Low risk parlay toss in: Game total under 2.5 (-240)
- Average risk play: 3 way moneyline DRAW (+120)
- High risk play: Correct score 1-1 (+350)