World Cup Betting Breakdown (Thursday 12/1)

Welcome back to another World Cup breakdown. We have seen half of the World Cup groups wrap up group play, and two additional groups will be decided on Thursday.

Groups E and F will come to a close, and I have all the information below regarding what each team needs to advance, along with DFS and betting.

Game 1 Croatia vs. Belgium

Group F will take the early stage on Thursday. Currently, Croatia are atop the table with Belgium in third. Croatia can advance with at least a draw and could even find their way to the next round with a loss. Belgium, on the other hand, must have a win or a draw with a very big loss by Morocco.

Croatia has looked solid in the group thus far and should be able to take care of an underperforming Belgian side. Quotes out of the Belgium camp seem like this team has given up and is not playing together. It happened to France in 2010 and Germany in the last World Cup. This year, Belgium looks to be the highly-ranked team that will miss out on the knockout round.

Croatia vs. Belgium Bets

Croatia PK, (-110, BetRivers)

Game 2 Canada vs. Morocco

Canada is one of the few teams that have already been eliminated from the 2022 World Cup. They got a tough draw but turned in poor performances against Croatia and Belgium. Morocco sit even on points with Croatia and guarantee themselves a spot in the Round of 16 with a win. They can advance with both a draw and a loss, but Belgium would need a big win against Croatia.

Morocco has been one of the better-looking teams in the tournament so far, and with lots to still play for, I expect them to handle Canada who is playing for pride at this point. Morocco’s defense has been awesome, and they will not want to risk a big loss.

Canada vs. Morocco Bets

SGP Morocco ML and BTTS no, (+250, FanDuel)

Game 3 Japan vs. Spain

Group E will finish up the slate. It would be a massively different group if Japan took care of business against Costa Rica. However, there is still a lot to be decided here. Spain are on top of Group E and can secure a spot in the knockout stage with a win or draw. Japan advances with a win but can also move on with a draw if their other game ends with a Germany win or a draw.

Japan has the style of play good enough to beat these bigger nations especially when there are weaknesses on defense. They will need to stay compact and disciplined on defense because an open game is a recipe for disaster against Spain. This game is definitely enticing from a DFS standpoint.

Japan vs. Spain Bets

BTTS yes, (+105, BetRivers)
Japan ML, +800, BetRivers (0.5u wager)
Japan +1.25, (-110, BetRivers)

Game 4 Costa Rica vs. Germany

Costa Rica – with their big win against Japan – can still advance in this group with a win. To advance with a draw, they would need a Spain win. Germany sit at the bottom of the group and will need help to advance even if they win. With a win, they will need either a Spain win or a draw in that game. Germany will not advance without a win.

Costa Rica will sit in the lowest of low blocks and hope they can end the game in a tie and advance with a Japan loss. It has worked for them before in qualifying, so don’t rule that out.