After watching all the matches so far at what has already been a quite astounding World Cup in Brazil, we are getting greedy. We want plenty more in the way of goals, upsets and incidents as we head towards the final group games and on into the ever-exciting knockout phase of the tournament, and we think we’re going to get them! Here we focus on the best of the final matches from Groups E, F, G and H as we pick out some more top World Cup betting tips to help you make some cash.
Wednesday 25th June 2014
Nigeria v Argentina (17:00) – Argentina to win by three or more goals (10/3 with Sky Bet)
Nigeria got themselves back in with a chance of qualifying for the Round of 16 at Brazil 2014 with a narrow 1-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, a result which sent the Balkan side out of their first ever World Cup. That victory moved Stephen Keshi’s men onto four points, two behind their opponents here, and they know a draw will be enough for then to make it to the last 16.
Argentina, meanwhile, have already qualified for the next round, but only just. They were pushed all the way by a surprisingly good Iran team last time out and had to rely on another moment of shear brilliance from their main man Lionel Messi to secure a 1-0 win of their own. That sublime 91st-minute curling strike into the corner might have been just what the South Americans needed to invigorate their World Cup and we fancy they will put in their first really good performance in this one, running out comfortable winners. We still think Nigeria will scrape through to the Round of 16, but we feel this will be the moment Argentina show their real credentials as possible tournament winners.
Ecuador v France (21:00) – France to win and both teams to score (14/5 with Coral)
France have looked like one of the very best sides at the World Cup thus far, and though the mitigating circumstances of them being lucky enough to have been drawn in the easiest group of the tournament should be taken into account, they have still hammered Honduras and Switzerland and looked stylish and slick in the process. With the apparent presence of harmony in the squad under the guidance of Didier Deschamps, Les Bleus are playing a free-flowing brand of attacking football that few sides will be able to contain.
Ecuador have three points on the board – the same number as Switzerland, to whom they lost in their opening match – and they know a win here is needed to give them a real chance of progressing. They will have their work cut out, but we fancy they could at least get a goal or two as France’s defence has not looked impenetrable so far. Backing France to ultimately edge it but both teams to score looks a sensible – and good value – bet here.
Thursday 26th June 2014
Portugal v Ghana (17:00) – Over 3.5 goals (13/8 with Betfred)
Portugal and Ghana have had their destiny taken out of their hands – a draw between USA and Germany in the other Group G match will send them both packing – but if either wants a chance to progress they must win this one. Given both sides played out highly exciting 2-2 draws in their previous games, we anticipate more of the same here as both sides put everything into getting what could ultimately be a fruitless victory.
Cristiano Ronaldo has shown glimpses of brilliance at the tournament, but he hasn’t really taken a game by the scruff of its neck as yet. This could be his moment to shine as Ghana’s backline leave plenty of gaps which the World Player of the Year could well exploit. But the West Africans have a number of fine attacking players of their own and Portugal are hardly watertight at the back, so this one could turn into something akin to a cricket score and backing over 3.5 goals looks a fairly safe option.
Algeria v Russia (21:00) – Algeria to win (11/4 with Bet365)
Algeria really went for it against South Korea in their last Group H match and they were rewarded with a deserved 4-2 victory that puts them right in the mix to progress to the last 16. Russia, meanwhile, went down 1-0 to group leaders Belgium and they could have they face a very stern challenge here to make it to the next round. With Algeria on three points and South Korea (who play Belgium) and Russia on just one apiece, a draw for the North Africans should be enough to see them through. And with Fabio Capello’s team having little choice but to attack in order to get the three points, we think Vahid Halilhodžić’s men could sneak the victory here as they hit the Russians on the break.