Betting news, trends, odds and predictions for from various handicappers and websites for Wednesday 6/27/18
Matchday 14 - Best Bets
June 26, 2018
By Toby Maxtone-Smith
World Cup: Matchday 14 Betting Preview
Wednesday, June 27
Group F Table & Results
Mexico vs. Sweden (FOX, 10:00 a.m. ET)
Mexico only need a point to win Group F as they take on Sweden in their final group game, but they can make it nine points out of nine to top off a superb start to their World Cup. Sweden have to win and hope that they end up with a better goal difference than Germany, who face South Korea later - the two sides are currently dead level with three points and two goals scored and conceded.
Sweden are 11/5 to win the match with Mexico available at 29/20 and the draw 23/10.
This game is perfectly set up for Mexico. Sweden have no choice but to come out and attack, leaving them open to Mexico’s counter-attacks, which are by far Juan Carlos Osorio’s side’s biggest strength.
It is simply not in Sweden’s nature to take the game to a team, and they tired badly in their second half against Germany. That last gasp defeat will be tough to take, and if word comes that Germany are comfortably beating South Korea, Mexico could be in for an enjoyable second half.
Prediction: Mexico 2-0 Sweden
Top Bet: Draw/Mexico half-time/full-time at 9/2
South Korea vs. Germany (FS1, 10:00 a.m. ET)
South Korea still have the most minute chance of qualifying for the next round. They would have to beat Germany, hope Mexico beat Sweden and hope that there is a big enough swing in goal-difference for them to go through.
But they are by far the weakest team in this section, and Germany should have very few problems beating them.
Germany need to better Sweden’s result against Mexico to qualify. Toni Kroos’s spectacular late winner against Sweden brought Germany from the brink of qualification to 1/8 favourites over Sweden to qualify.
Joachim Löw will likely start with a similar side that ended that match against Sweden. In the second half in Sochi Germany looked to have shaken off their early struggles and created bags of chances. That team, with Mario Gomez, Timo Werner and Marco Reus, looked far more penetrative than Löw’s earlier selections.
South Korea improved slightly in their 2-0 defeat to Mexico, but Germany are going to win this one comfortably.
Prediction: South Korea 0-3 Germany
Top Bet: Germany/Germany half-time/full-time at 4/7
Group E Table & Results
Serbia vs. Brazil (FOX, 2:00 p.m. ET)
On paper this looks like Brazil’s toughest game in the group. And depending on how you expect Serbia to react to their late defeat to Switzerland, it might have become even harder. This is win or die for Serbia. Win and they are guaranteed to qualify - and to send Brazil home early assuming that Costa Rica do not beat Switzerland.
Brazil have been far from the worst of the big teams at this World Cup, but they have not convinced either. They drew to Switzerland and were just minutes away from being held 0-0 by Costa Rica before goals from Philippe Coutinho and Neymar eased their nerves.
I can’t have Brazil at 1/2 here. Serbia were very unlucky to lose to Switzerland: they were done on the counter-attack late on as they pushed forward in the (probably misguided) belief that they absolutely needed to win the match. They were also very unlucky with refereeing decisions.
But Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has shown why he is so highly rated, while Aleksandar Mitrovic can trouble the best defences in the world with his aerial prowess.
It might be worth taking a chance on Serbia to cause a famous shock.
Prediction: Serbia 2-1 Brazil
Top Bet: Serbia at 13/2
Switzerland vs. Costa Rica (FS1, 2:00 p.m. ET)
Before this World Cup, many experts were predicting a tournament dominated by defences. And while thrashings have been few and far between wit the smaller nations defending well, there have been no goalless draws.
But Switzerland’s match against Costa Rica could finally break that run.
A draw would be enough to send Switzerland through, although they need to win in order to come top of the group. However they might well not want to do that should Germany finish second in Group F.
Costa Rica have not managed to repeat their heroics from 2014 as expected, but they have not been embarrassed in Russia.
Defensively they look strong, if slow. They only conceded to a free-kick against Serbia and defended with admirable stubbornness against Brazil before conceding two late goals. There are no dead rubbers in the World Cup for teams like Costa Rica, even if they have already been eliminated. They will be desperate to end their World Cup by getting at least a point on the board, and they can manage that here.
Prediction: Switzerland 0-0 Costa Rica
Top Bet: Draw at 12/5