Tuesday’s World Cup Prop Bets
Tuesday’s soccer slate features numerous superstars, some of whom bettors can trust, while others seem doomed to disappoint. Individual player props provide only one venue in the prop universe among many through which bettors can derive profit.
Colombia vs. Japan (8 a.m. ET)
I’m not enthused about a Colombia squad that returns less than half of its players from its run in the 2014 World Cup, in which they progressed to the quarterfinals. But I am much less a fan of Japan, which suffered a late coaching change and, even prior to this coaching change, showed consistently worrisome form on the road. Japan failed to win three of five qualifiers away from home. Under new manager Akira Nishino, Japan conceded two goals in each of their last three friendlies—against Ghana, Switzerland and Paraguay. Sacking their old manager doesn’t seem to have been an effective decision for the Japanese, who, in addition to their persisting problems with stability in the backline, have to manage the other issues with stability that a managerial change brings with it. Colombia is a nightmarish first opponent for the unstable Japanese. Led by superstar James Rodriguez, who achieved six goals in the 2014 World Cup, and Radamel Falcao, who achieved 18 goals in 26 Ligue 1 matches, look for Colombia to light up the scoreboard.
I expect Colombia to take a commanding lead. The South Americans have some new faces in the back and anyhow could become lax after believing the three points to be in their pocket. Japan has some guys with experience in European leagues. Look out for Leicester CIty’s Shinji Okazaki, who has 50 career goals for Japan and scored against Colombia in the 2014 World Cup. At Bet365, you can bet on Colombia to win and both teams to score at +350 odds and both teams to score at +120. In anticipation of a strong Colombian effort, you can get Colombia -2 at +450.
Poland vs Senegal (11 a.m. ET)
Poland missed out on the World Cup in 2014, but doesn’t want for international experience because they made it to the quarterfinals in the 2016 Euros. They’re known for their scoring prowess, led by striker Robert Lewandowski, who scored an incredible 16 goals in 10 qualifying matches and has dominated in recent friendlies. It’s no secret that Poland will rely on him to score. In a sense, though, his goal-scoring reputation will work against him and he will be the number one concern for Senegal’s defense. Senegal boasts a physically imposing defender named Kalidou Koulibaly, also known as K2. K2 plays for Napoli, runner-up in the Italian Serie A, and helped his club beat Juventus in April.
England’s Harry Kane is one example of somebody who can dominate domestically—even in a tough league like England’s Premiere League—but be part of an embarrassing international squad with zero individual success. Lewandowski has only two goals in seven tournament games for Poland. With these concerns about Lewandowski in mind, bettors should focus on the much better odds offered for other Polish goal scorers. Furthermore, Poland has shown a marked tendency in its recent friendlies to score in the first half. Six of their nine goals in their last three friendlies against Korea, Chile, and Lithuania came before halftime. In expectation of a strong Polish start, but by no means a romp against a very respectable Senegalese defense, consider the immense +1000 odds for a 1-0 halftime score in Poland’s favor. Bet365 also offers +850 for Poland’s Jakub Blaszczykowski, their top scorer in the 2016 Euros, to score first.
Poland’s backside has developed a precarious reputation. Giving up leads is nothing new to them. For example, they lost a 2-0 lead in their recent friendly against Chile and likewise in a qualifier against lowly Montenegro. Senegal has talent in the midfield with which to control possession, and scoring talent. Senegal’s attacking midfielder Sadio Mane achieved 10 goals in 13 Champions League matches for English club Liverpool.
If Poland takes the lead, their defense will be in trouble. Bet365 offers +1400 odds for Poland to lead at half and the match to end in a draw. For a more modest prop, +105 is offered for both teams to score.
Russia vs Egypt (2 p.m. ET)
The top headline for this match revolves around the health of Egyptian superstar Mohamed Salah, who injured his shoulder in the Champions League Finale. Salah is easily Egyptian’s most prolific player, achieving over 40 goals for Liverpool in Champions League and domestic play. He led all scorers in African qualifiers with five goals in six matches and provided Egypt’s only goal in its March Friendly against Rolando-led Portugal. His manager declared him to be healthy to play against Uruguay, but he ended up not playing. So I am really skeptical when his manager claims, again, that he is healthy.
If Salah does play, he is worth betting on. You get +162 odds from Bet365 for him to score anytime against a Russian defense that, after blanketing Saudi Arabia in its World Cup opener, remains untested against more difficult competition. In their two friendlies against Brazil and France, the Russians allowed a combined six goals. Egypt’s level of talent is, with Salah, somewhere in between the extremes of Saudi Arabia and Brazil and France.
Egypt showed worrisome road form during qualifiers, losing both in Uganda and in Chad. Russia, as host nation, has the ultimate home advantage. Denis Cheryshev showed amazing form in Russia’s opener, scoring two goals and proving that Russia can rely on him to score. You can get +300 odds for him to score anytime. You can get Russia 0.0, -0.5 at -121 and a tad more confident -0.5, -1.0 at +137.
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Tuesday’s soccer slate features numerous superstars, some of whom bettors can trust, while others seem doomed to disappoint. Individual player props provide only one venue in the prop universe among many through which bettors can derive profit.
Colombia vs. Japan (8 a.m. ET)
I’m not enthused about a Colombia squad that returns less than half of its players from its run in the 2014 World Cup, in which they progressed to the quarterfinals. But I am much less a fan of Japan, which suffered a late coaching change and, even prior to this coaching change, showed consistently worrisome form on the road. Japan failed to win three of five qualifiers away from home. Under new manager Akira Nishino, Japan conceded two goals in each of their last three friendlies—against Ghana, Switzerland and Paraguay. Sacking their old manager doesn’t seem to have been an effective decision for the Japanese, who, in addition to their persisting problems with stability in the backline, have to manage the other issues with stability that a managerial change brings with it. Colombia is a nightmarish first opponent for the unstable Japanese. Led by superstar James Rodriguez, who achieved six goals in the 2014 World Cup, and Radamel Falcao, who achieved 18 goals in 26 Ligue 1 matches, look for Colombia to light up the scoreboard.
I expect Colombia to take a commanding lead. The South Americans have some new faces in the back and anyhow could become lax after believing the three points to be in their pocket. Japan has some guys with experience in European leagues. Look out for Leicester CIty’s Shinji Okazaki, who has 50 career goals for Japan and scored against Colombia in the 2014 World Cup. At Bet365, you can bet on Colombia to win and both teams to score at +350 odds and both teams to score at +120. In anticipation of a strong Colombian effort, you can get Colombia -2 at +450.
Poland vs Senegal (11 a.m. ET)
Poland missed out on the World Cup in 2014, but doesn’t want for international experience because they made it to the quarterfinals in the 2016 Euros. They’re known for their scoring prowess, led by striker Robert Lewandowski, who scored an incredible 16 goals in 10 qualifying matches and has dominated in recent friendlies. It’s no secret that Poland will rely on him to score. In a sense, though, his goal-scoring reputation will work against him and he will be the number one concern for Senegal’s defense. Senegal boasts a physically imposing defender named Kalidou Koulibaly, also known as K2. K2 plays for Napoli, runner-up in the Italian Serie A, and helped his club beat Juventus in April.
England’s Harry Kane is one example of somebody who can dominate domestically—even in a tough league like England’s Premiere League—but be part of an embarrassing international squad with zero individual success. Lewandowski has only two goals in seven tournament games for Poland. With these concerns about Lewandowski in mind, bettors should focus on the much better odds offered for other Polish goal scorers. Furthermore, Poland has shown a marked tendency in its recent friendlies to score in the first half. Six of their nine goals in their last three friendlies against Korea, Chile, and Lithuania came before halftime. In expectation of a strong Polish start, but by no means a romp against a very respectable Senegalese defense, consider the immense +1000 odds for a 1-0 halftime score in Poland’s favor. Bet365 also offers +850 for Poland’s Jakub Blaszczykowski, their top scorer in the 2016 Euros, to score first.
Poland’s backside has developed a precarious reputation. Giving up leads is nothing new to them. For example, they lost a 2-0 lead in their recent friendly against Chile and likewise in a qualifier against lowly Montenegro. Senegal has talent in the midfield with which to control possession, and scoring talent. Senegal’s attacking midfielder Sadio Mane achieved 10 goals in 13 Champions League matches for English club Liverpool.
If Poland takes the lead, their defense will be in trouble. Bet365 offers +1400 odds for Poland to lead at half and the match to end in a draw. For a more modest prop, +105 is offered for both teams to score.
Russia vs Egypt (2 p.m. ET)
The top headline for this match revolves around the health of Egyptian superstar Mohamed Salah, who injured his shoulder in the Champions League Finale. Salah is easily Egyptian’s most prolific player, achieving over 40 goals for Liverpool in Champions League and domestic play. He led all scorers in African qualifiers with five goals in six matches and provided Egypt’s only goal in its March Friendly against Rolando-led Portugal. His manager declared him to be healthy to play against Uruguay, but he ended up not playing. So I am really skeptical when his manager claims, again, that he is healthy.
If Salah does play, he is worth betting on. You get +162 odds from Bet365 for him to score anytime against a Russian defense that, after blanketing Saudi Arabia in its World Cup opener, remains untested against more difficult competition. In their two friendlies against Brazil and France, the Russians allowed a combined six goals. Egypt’s level of talent is, with Salah, somewhere in between the extremes of Saudi Arabia and Brazil and France.
Egypt showed worrisome road form during qualifiers, losing both in Uganda and in Chad. Russia, as host nation, has the ultimate home advantage. Denis Cheryshev showed amazing form in Russia’s opener, scoring two goals and proving that Russia can rely on him to score. You can get +300 odds for him to score anytime. You can get Russia 0.0, -0.5 at -121 and a tad more confident -0.5, -1.0 at +137.
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