Archie Wilson shares his picks and plays for Day 11 of the World Cup.
The Euros champions Spain had a very rough start to their tournament, going goalless and splitting the points with Cape Verde. Now the question surrounding the team is, should their fans be worried about that performance? Personally, the answer is no. They still have plenty of quality across the park, and they were yet to unleash their most prolific attackers in Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal.
In this one, regardless of being favourites against Saudi Arabia, three points are very much needed, and if they are fit to go, the Spanish winger duo should bring some much-needed potency to the attack. With their inclusion, and what you would assume is extra fire from the embarrassment of the first game, I expect to see a much different side this time around.
Tips
Spain Over 2.5 Total Goals @ $1.67
Best Goalscorer: Nico Williams ATS @ $2.20
Same Game Multi: Spain/Spain + Lamine Yamal ATA + Nico Williams ATS @ $5.58
This game also poses a similar scenario, with a European powerhouse in Belgium looking to open their account with a first three-point haul in the tournament and coming up against an Iran side who likely wouldn’t be too happy with their game one result.
In this one, all the power resides with Belgium due to the sheer difference in talent between the two squads. However, as we know with the way the World Cup works, they are still going to need to put their best foot forward to get a result.
The European side don’t really have any other option as things stand, so that’s what I expect, and a 2-0 win seems like a reasonable play.
Tips
Best Bet: Belgium 2-0 @ $7.00
Best Goalscorer: Romelu Lukaku ATS @ $1.87
Same Game Multi: Belgium To Win + Romelu Lukaku ATS + Under 2.5 Total Goals @ $5.61
Without the likes of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, Uruguay may not have the same star power up front they used to have, but based on the performance rather than the result in their opener against Saudi Arabia, they certainly still have something about them. Albeit the 1-1 scoreline, in all important metrics and stats, Uruguay dominated the park and will hope against Cape Verde they will have more luck converting their chances.
Now on paper that might sound like an easy task, but we saw a resolve from Cape Verde against Spain that not many nations have shown, forcing a 0-0 draw in their opener. Meaning while I think at some stage their defence will crack, it won’t be as straightforward for Uruguay as many thought prior to the tournament.
Tips
Best Bet: Cape Verde GK 4+ Saves @ $2.00
Best Goalscorer: Federico Valverde ATS @ $3.70
Same Game Multi: Uruguay or Draw + Federico Valverde ATS + Under 2.5 Total Goals @ $7.70
Now for the big one, the second match of the All Whites’ campaign will close out Monday’s action, and as expected the lads are coming into this one as underdogs. Now that’s all fine, but the performance I saw against Iran was maybe the best I had ever seen from an All Whites team, and if they are able to replicate that while battening down the hatches on defence, then who knows what could happen?
Egypt are, of course, a side that on their day can go toe to toe with any side in the world based on their attacking duo in Mo Salah and Omar Marmoush. Meaning for the All Whites, they will need to ensure they don’t let either of them take over the game, which of course the duo are more than able to do.
But let’s get it straight, New Zealand have their own dominant duo up top in Elijah Just and Chris Wood, who, if given the chance, could certainly propel the All Whites to a win that I have a feeling could be on the horizon.
Tips
Best Bet: New Zealand To Win @ $5.50
Best Goalscorer: Chris Wood ATS @ $4.00
Same Game Multi: New Zealand or Draw + Chris Wood 2+ Shots + Over 2.5 Total Goals @ $8.43
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