The World Cup is finally here, and the neds blog is your ultimate destination for daily tips on all the biggest matches. From the opening group stage clashes to the drama of the knockout rounds and all the way to the final showdown, we’ve got you covered every step of the way. Expect expert insight, informed predictions, and a few bold calls along the journey. Be sure to check in each day to see who our football expert is tipping to come out on top and stay one step ahead throughout the tournament.
Group Stage
Switzerland vs Canada Predictions – Group B (Match 9)
It should be a cracking atmosphere in Vancouver on Wednesday with top spot in Group B on the line.
Canada sit first for now, helped in a big way by last week’s 6-0 demolition of Qatar that gave their goal difference a very handy boost.
Switzerland also got their campaign moving with a dominant 4-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. They were made to work in their opening draw with Qatar, but this is still a very reliable Swiss side, particularly without the ball, having conceded one goal or fewer in each of their last five games.
Canada will be flying after winning their first-ever World Cup game, but this is a different test altogether. They have found life tough against quality European opposition in recent times, and Switzerland are exactly the kind of side that can take the sting out of this contest.
The co-hosts probably will not have the same freedom to throw numbers forward here. With both teams eyeing off the knockouts, this shapes as a tight, controlled, grind-it-out sort of game.
Prediction: Under 2.5 Goals @ $1.75
Value: Draw @ $3.15
Player Pick: Ruben Vargas to Score or Assist @ $2.50
Bosnia & Herzegovina vs Qatar Predictions – Group B (Match 10)
Bosnia and Herzegovina need a response after coming away from last week’s clash with Switzerland empty-handed.
There were still some okay signs. They competed physically, tried to stay organised, and did not completely lose their shape, but they need a little more quality in the final third if they are going to take advantage of this matchup.
Edin Dzeko is still the obvious focal point up front and gives Bosnia a proper presence in the box, while Ermedin Demirovic has been in good touch and can cause plenty of problems with his movement and work rate.
Qatar, meanwhile, are coming off a horror 6-0 loss to Canada, and there is no hiding from how easily they were opened up. They were second best everywhere that mattered and now face a quick turnaround against a Bosnia side that should fancy this spot.
After conceding six, confidence has to be a real concern for Qatar. Bosnia have enough experience and enough quality to control large parts of this and get the job done.
Prediction: Bosnia and Herzegovina to Win and Over 2.5 Goals @ $1.91
Value: Bosnia and Herzegovina to Cover (-2.0 Goals) @ $3.30
Player Pick: Akram Afif to Have 1+ Shot on Target @ $2.05
Scotland vs Brazil Prediction – Group C (Match 9)
The Tartan Army has reportedly taken over Miami, and they will be hoping Scotland can make some noise in this massive Group C clash with Brazil.
Scotland started their tournament with a memorable 1-0 win over Haiti, but they were quickly on the wrong end of the same scoreline last week after conceding inside the opening minutes.
Brazil, meanwhile, got things back on track with a 3-0 win over Haiti after being held to a 1-1 draw by Morocco in their opener.
That was much more like it from Carlo Ancelotti’s side. The Selecao looked sharper, more composed, and like a team that might be ready to go through the gears with the knockout stage just around the corner.
Scotland still have a sniff of reaching the next stage if they can get something from this, but they will need to be close to perfect defensively. Brazil should dominate possession and ask questions for most of the 90 minutes.
Scotland can make it interesting for a while, especially given Brazil did look a little vulnerable against Morocco, but the class gap should show eventually.
Prediction: Brazil to Cover (-1.5 Goals) @ $2.00
Value: Both Teams to Score @ $2.20
Player Pick: Vinicius Junior Anytime Goalscorer
Morocco vs Haiti Predictions – Group C (Match 10)
Morocco are starting to build nicely and look more and more like the dark horse plenty of people thought they could be.
After opening with a draw, they backed it up with a professional 1-0 win over Scotland last week. They look organised, hard to break down, and with Achraf Hakimi driving forward from fullback, they have enough quality to create chances in this matchup.
Haiti have had a crack, but two losses from two tells the story. They have lacked polish in the final third, and now they run into a Morocco side that should control most of the ball.
This looks like a good spot for Morocco to do the job and keep things tidy at the back.
Prediction: Morocco to Win to Nil @ $1.73
Value: Morocco to Win and Under 2.5 Goals @ $3.40
Player Prop: Ismael Saibari Anytime Goalscorer @ $1.95
South Africa vs South Korea Prediction – Group A (Match 9)
Huge game here with a place in the knockout stage still on the table.
South Africa need plenty to go right from here, but they did at least keep themselves alive by pinching a point in last week’s draw with Czechia.
Their opener against Mexico was a different story, though. They were beaten 2-0 and had two players sent off in the second half, which is about as rough as it gets at this level.
South Korea also went down to Mexico last week, but they probably deserved more. A goal either side of half-time proved the difference in a 1-0 loss, but Hong Myung-bo’s side had some strong moments, dominated possession, and finished with eight shots against a very good opponent.
Still, there is a feeling Korea have not quite hit the level expected of them.
With players like Son Heung-Min and Lee Kang-In in the front third, they have more than enough quality to trouble a South Africa side that still looks shaky.
Prediction: South Korea to Win and Over 1.5 Goals @ $2.05
Value: South Korea to Win to Nil @ $2.50
Player Pick: Son Heung-Min Anytime Goalscorer @ $2.20
Czechia vs Mexico Predictions – Group A (Match 10)
Czechia steadied things a little with a draw against South Africa last week, but they still look like a side searching for that extra bit of class in the final third.
They are organised enough to make this competitive, and Patrik Schick is always dangerous if the service is there. Tomas Soucek also gives them a real presence through midfield and from set pieces.
Mexico, though, have been one of the more impressive teams in the group so far, beating both South Africa and South Korea.
Raul Jimenez gives them experience and a proper focal point up front, while Julian Quinones brings pace, power, and direct running in the final third.
Czechia can hang around and make Mexico work for it, but El Tri look the sharper and more dangerous side.
Prediction: Mexico to Win
Value: Mexico to Win and Under 3.5 Goals
Player Prop: Raul Jimenez Anytime Goalscorer