Goals have been stingy so far in the 2018 World Cup, making betting on the world’s favorite soccer tournament a little tricky. But specific picks about who will score, and where on the field they’ll score from have been posting some attractive odds. .
Knowing this, OG took a deeper look into our betting apps searching for the best goal-oriented bets available in the next round of games for Groups C, D, and E, played on Thursday and Friday. Here’s what we found:
1. First Goal Outside the Box (Australia vs. Denmark)
At 11/2 this works if either team scores outside the penalty box. If Australia has the unlikely first goal it will probably be from this area, since the Denmark defense won’t allow them to get close enough for a high-percentage shot. They could strike first, however, if Denmark is not prepared.
If Denmark scores first, it will because they will test the Australian goalie, and pepper him with shots from outside the penalty box. Denmark’s star Christian Eriksen said they might try and attack more from there.
“We see a lot of teams “parking the bus” so to speak and being very content really only to defend, and to open them up I think it’s important that you also have players who have the courage to test the keeper from distance,” Eriksen said. “I saw in the statistics that Denmark have actually never scored a goal from outside the box in World Cup but I certainly plan to rectify that.”
Thursday’s Games
- Australia vs. Denmark
- France vs. Peru
- Argentina vs. Croatia
Friday’s Games
- Brazil vs. Costa Rica
- Iceland vs. Nigeria
- Serbia vs. Switzerland
2. Over 3 Goals (Brazil vs. Costa Rica)
The favorites of the tournament were stunned in their draw against Switzerland, but don’t expect a repeat performance. They were embarrassed and will be taking it out on poor Costa Rica, who lost 1-0 to Serbia.
They will want to try and be more offensive minded and at +135 it is worth the risk.
Neymar was roughed up in that game, and missed practice Tuesday with an ankle issue, but was expected to practice on Wednesday, and should be ready to go on Friday. They need to prove to themselves as deserving to be pegged as World Cup favorites.
3. Iceland’s Jon Bodvarsson First to Score
He is listed at 6-foot, 3-inches tall and will be a nightmare for Nigeria defenders to cover, especially on set plays, such as corners and free kicks. There is no listing for a player scoring on a header, but Bodvarsson scoring first for Iceland is an attractive +450.
Not feeling as confidant he will strike first? Take a little less at +330 that he will score a goal anytime during the match.
4. Serbia Winning 1-0
Serbia is the better team, but not by much, as evidenced by the -125 moneyline on them. Switzerland is +105, and will deploy a punishing physical strategy, much like they used against Brazil.
Serbia winning 1-0 is +600, and there have been nine contests decided by this score. Serbia gets knocked around, but will get a goal and it should be enough.
5. Croatia 3/1 to Beat Argentina
This game is simply a matter of good odds, that the Croatians will be able to find the net more than the Argentines. At 3/1 this could be an upset special. Argentina reached a draw with Iceland, 1-1, which to the blue and white felt more like a loss than a tie. The team looked disjointed and rusty, and Lionel Messi missed a penalty kick that could’ve won the game.
Croatia is on top of Group D after its win over Nigeria, 2-0, and has been tabbed as a dark horse to advance before the tournament even began. They are brimming with confidence and could easily pull off the upset.
