Things are heating up.

This FIFA World Cup has been so far that it appears if you look away, you’ll miss the entire thing. While there have been lots of surprises especially at the group stage, gradually but finally, the pretenders are being separated from the real contenders.

The knockout stage has seen the big boys prove themselves. Unfortunately, this has meant that Africa have been shown their level, mostly. What this means from here on is that, with every blast of the whistle, outcomes will become more difficult to predict.

Not to worry because there is still money to be made through other outcomes. I’ll also be picking games outside of the ongoing main event in Qatar. So here we go and may the odds be in our favour.

Portugal v Switzerland 

A very interesting tie. Any of these two that qualify from here will be deserving of the outcome. However, let’s scrutinize the data between them and predict an outcome.

These two sides mirror each other in results from their last five games with Nigeria and Ghana being listed as victims for the teams, respectively. Both have not drawn any of their last five matches against each other.

The safer prediction to make is on the goals.

Tip: 2HO1.5 @ 2.24 odds

Morocco v Spain

The last standing African team at the tournament. Played the best of football of the lot too and can match Spain’s fast and entertaining style. They have big players in their line up to make a difference.

One of my favourite interviews at the World Cup so far was hearing Moroccan coach, Walid Regragui, refuse to be dragged by the media into the politics about whether they are Arabs or Africans. The coach directly said they are representing Africa as the last team standing.

North Africa have always been the pride of the continent when it comes to style of football and can be compared to European style. So surely, if there was any African team I’ll pick to face an entertaining, fast paced, technical Spain side, it won’t be the more physical and less technical sides from west Africa but Morocco to be precise. The fact that they have a solid team with experience and success at highest level of club football means that they know what to expect and will be ready to challenge and not sit back to defend.

Morocco have has a better run so far and have failed to lose any game. They have three wins and two draws while Spain have one loss more despite scoring the most number of goals in the last five games.

The Africans have a better defensive record while the Europeans have scored in all of the World Cup games at this tournament so far.

I recognize that this can go either way but as usual at this stage, I’ll stake on the goals and a correct score prediction!

Tip: O2.5 @ 2.01 odds

Score prediction: 2-1 @ 22.50 odds

Croatia v Brazil

History shows that Brazil haven’t lost in all three encounters with Croatia, scoring six and conceding just once.

However, it’s very arguable that the Croatia of 2018, which was the last time they met during a friendly, is totally different from the class of players the European side currently field. This team, although aging, is more mature, fulfilled and can handle either side of the pitch.

Last time out, they got to the final of the World Cup, not many would have predicted that at the opening ceremony. For them to continue in similar trajectory, four years later, shows that wasn’t a gaffe. Luka Modric, Matteo Kovacic, Ivan Perisic and the likes, still got it.

However, their opponents, Brazil are probably the most difficult opponents to face at this point. While Croatia have won just two and drawn three of their last five games, Brazil have won four and lost just that shocking game against Cameroon while scoring 12 times. These number of goals can only be rivaled by Spain – only because of a 7-0 demolition of Costa Rica in the group stage.

The odds are highly staked against Croatia and it’s in games like this that a punter may rue their luck if outcomes turn out in the least expected way.

Having said that, Brazil, from the oldest to the youngest on that squad appear ready to lift the trophy. Thiago Silva set a new record on Monday to become the oldest player to assist a goal at the World Cup at 38. Huge.

Look at the firepower that is Brazil. Richarlison, Vinicius, Raphina even before you mention Neymar. Brazil will win, convincingly.

Tip: 2&O1.5 @ 1.50 odds

Netherlands v Argentina

The South Americans, through Lionel Messi, have gradually gotten in the mood and grown into the tournament.

This would be the first real test for either of them in this tournament. While they both, in my opinion haven’t exactly bamboozled and are at equal strength – Netherlands has four wins and one draw while Argentina has four wins and one loss, I expect this to be an entertaining match in the real sense of it. The dividing factor here should be Lionel Messi who it appears has grown to recognize that this is his last shot at lifting this one trophy that has eluded him. Hopefully this doesn’t go into extra time especially as both previous encounters ended in goalless draws.

Tip: 2 & O1.5 @ 2.91 odds

Doxa Katokopia v AEK Lanarca 

Tip: 2 @ 1.62 odds

Pafos FC v APOEL Nicosia

Tip: O1.5 @ 1.40 odds

Click here for coupon code 8JeYO6o valid till 8pm Tuesday, December 6, 2022.

 

Note: Always stake what you can afford to lose. Good luck!