The FIFA World Cup is underway and there are some big clashes to kick things off.
BetDeluxe looks at four key games in the opening few days to find who will win and why.
Argentina vs. Saudi Arabia
22nd November 9:00PM
One of, if not the biggest, storyline going into this World Cup is the announcement that Lionel Messi’s fifth World Cup tournament will be his last.
Messi is among the most decorated footballers of all time and is desperate to crown his career with the one honour that has eluded him.
But first, Argentina has to win its group stage, which it is strongly favoured to do. Messi is supported by some of the who’s who of international football, including the brilliant Lautaro Martinez, who is fast becoming one of the world’s elite players.
He has been known to have an impact early and is one to watch in the markets. This looks set to be a relatively one-sided contest, with Saudi Arabia one of the lower-ranked of the 32 nations in the World Cup. Salem Al-Dawsari is a key to their hopes, but the squad falls away quickly after that, and they could get a rude shock to kick off their campaign.
Suggested Bet: Same game multi
Leg 1: Argentina to win
Leg 2: Over 2.5 goals scored
Leg 3: Lionel Messi to score any time
Leg 4: Argentina Over 6.5 corners
Total: $4.33
Morocco vs. Croatia
23rd November 9:00PM
Veteran Luka Modric heads up a solid Croatian team eager to go one better than its runner-up appearance in 2018. While they were one of that tournament’s surprise packets, there is a far more intense spotlight on them this time around. Marcelo Brozovic, Ivan Perisic and Dejan Lovren make up for a solid support act against a Moroccan team that is big on skill and ability but has yet to prove itself against the top-tier nations.
Hakim Ziyech and Achraf Hakimi are two to watch from the Moroccan team with plenty of experience in the European leagues behind them. They may put up a defence against the Croatian side early but expect Modric to dictate terms.
Suggested Bet: Same game multi
Leg 1: Croatia Win
Leg 2: Total corners over 5.5
Leg 3: Total goals over 1.5
Leg 4: Luka Modric to score anytime
Total: $7.00
Germany vs. Japan
24th November 12:00AM
It is a very even German team that comes into this one and is more than up for the challenge in a difficult Group E. While many teams have one stand-out player, Germany seems as even as they come with Antonio Rudiger in defence and Manuel Neuer in the goals making them a tough match-up to score against. Joshua Kimmich provides plenty of drive from the midfield and should have a hand in some telling pushes forward.
Japan is also a very even team but lacks the Germans’ star power. Daichi Kamada has a flair about his game that has stood him in good stead at the club level, and if an upset is to occur, Kamada will play a big part in it. But it’s a safe bet to go for the German team here, which will have one eye on nudging ahead of Spain to win the group.
Suggested Bet: Same game multi
Leg 1: Germany to win
Leg 2: Germany clean sheet
Total: $2.63
Switzerland vs. Cameroon
24th November 9:00PM
The Swiss team has some strong self-belief at this level, having knocked off France in the Euro 2020 tournament. Switzerland has a strong defence, and scoring will not come easy for Cameroon.
Granit Xhaka is the leader in all senses of the word for Switzerland and is set for a significant impact here, but history is against the Swiss, having not made the quarter-finals of the World Cup in 68 years, but stranger things have happened.
Cameroon is back for its eighth World Cup, but its squad lacks some of the talent we have seen in previous years. Karl Toko Ekambi is their most likely to put one in the back of the net and could be worth looking at if there is a late goal to be had.
Suggested Bet: Karl Toko Ekambi to score at $4.50
