The World Cup is well and truly underway, and tomorrow’s attentions turn to a ‘Fantastic Four’ day in front of the TV screens as Groups C and D play their opening games in the tournament.
Our betting expert runs you though the best bets from the four games over the course of the day.
France v Australia
France manager Didier Deschamps will be hoping to lift the World Cup once again – having won the tournament as a player back in 1998.
He sees his side come up against the Socceroos in their opening group game and they are highly fancied to see off Bert van Marwijk’s outfit.
Since reaching the last 16 back in Germany, the Aussies have failed to make it through the group stages so fortune would certainly need to favour them to progress this time around.
I cannot see anything but a straightforward France win, and I fancy them to win without conceding, which can be backed at 4/5.
I also like the look of an anytime bet on Antoine Griezmann to score at 10/11.
Argentina v Iceland
Argentina will hope to get their campaign up and running in fine style as they take on World Cup first timers Iceland.
The attacking talent of Jorge Sampaoli’s side needs no introduction, but they look a little suspect at the back.
The Argentines are unsurprisingly 8/25 to pick up the win on the day, while a draw is 4/1 and a shock Iceland win can be backed at 9/1.
Iceland were the surprise stars of the European Championships in 2016, defeating England to reach the quarter-finals, but have it all to do here and will be reliant on a returning Gylfi Sigurdsson to pull off a few more shocks.
Bet wise, I feel they may well hold out for the first half but come unstuck in the second, so a Half Time/Full Time bet of Draw/Argentina may prove worthwhile at 3/1.
With that in mind I also fancy over 2.5 goals with Lionel Messi and co to turn on the style in the second period, and that can be backed at 5/6.
Peru v Denmark
This has the makings of a tight encounter, with both sides eager to make it through to the round of 16.
The game could be crucial in deciding each side’s fate with France and Australia also in the group.
This is Peru’s first foray into the tournament since 1982, while Denmark bowed out of the group stages in 2010 in South Africa.
It is certainly a tough game to call, but I just fancy Denmark to edge this one and the Danes look a good bet at 11/8 to win.
A combination bet that may well come off is one of Denmark to win, over 2.5 goals and Cristian Eriksen to score, which is 11/2.
Croatia v Nigeria
This game wraps up Saturday’s matches and it will be another interesting affair, with both sides seemingly battling it out for second place behind likely group winners Argentina.
Croatia’s recent form at the World Cup has been disappointing, having failed to make it past the group stages since their semi-final appearance in 1998.
They are 7/10 for the win tomorrow, while the unpredictable Nigeria are 17/4 to pick up an opening win.
With the likes of Luka Modric and Mario Mandzukic, the Croats have the more talented squad, but I fancy the Super Eagles to score so a bet of both teams to score, and a home win at 3/1
sounds appealing.
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