Every team has had a taste of action as the second matches in each respective group at the FIFA World Cup keep rolling along on Sunday.
There are four matches scheduled for Sunday — two from Group E (Japan vs. Costa Rica and Spain vs. Germany) and two from Group F (Belgium vs. Morocco and Croatia vs. Canada) — so there’s plenty of action for bettors to consider wagering on.
Here are the match day odds courtesy of bet365.
 | Match Odds |
|---|---|
| Japan vs. Costa Rica | Japan (-225), Draw (+333), Costa Rica (+700) |
| Belgium vs. Morocco | Belgium (-106), Draw (+250), Morocco (+300) |
| Croatia vs. Canada | Croatia (+105), Draw (+250), Canada (+275) |
| Spain vs. Germany | Spain (+130), Draw (+250), Germany (+200) |
Japan vs. Costa Rica betting preview
| Match Odds |
|---|---|
| Japan vs. Costa Rica | Japan (-225), Draw (+333), Costa Rica (+700) |
| Total Goals | Over 2.5 (+110), Under 2.5 (-138) |
| Team Cards – Costa Rica | Over 2.5 (+150) |
Japan wins if: It can ride the momentum from its huge win against Germany.
The Japanese pulled off a shocking 2-1 upset (as a +600 underdog) over Germany in their tournament opener and find themselves in a great position tied atop the Group E table with Spain with three points heading into this favourable matchup with Costa Rica.
Japan was down 1-0 to Germany, but a tactical change at halftime to add a fifth defender stabilized the match and opened up more opportunities to push forward. Switching to a more defensive formation Isn’t a typical strategy to open up more offensive opportunities, but it worked in this instance against the aggressive Germans.
Costa Rica wins if: It can shake off an embarrassing 7-0 loss to Spain.
Yikes, not the way you want to open the tournament and now Costa Rica has to face a Japan side full of confidence. Costa Rica is expected to deploy a 5-2-3 formation and that might hold the Japanese at bay. A draw might be the best-case scenario here.
Mismatch to watch: Japan’s super substitutes.
In its tournament opener, both of Japan’s goals came courtesy of subs Takuma Asano and Ritsu Doan.
Prop to watch: Team Cards – Costa Rica: Over 2.5 (+150)
Expect Costa Rica to take out its frustrations from its awful tournament opener on the Japanese in this match. If things go south again, and they likely will, it could become a very chippy affair late in the match.
Belgium vs. Morocco betting preview
| Match Odds |
|---|---|
| Belgium vs. Morocco | Belgium (-106), Draw (+250), Morocco (+300) |
| Total Goals | Over 2.5 (+110), Under 2.5 (-138) |
| Michy Batshuayi Shots On Target | Over 1.5 (+100) |
Belgium wins if: It can set a new World Cup record with a ninth straight group-stage victory.
Despite surviving a scare from Canada in their tournament opener, the Red Devils have won their last eight World Cup group-stage matches to tie the tournament record accomplished by Brazil on two occasions (1986-1994 and 2002-2010).
Morocco wins if: Belgium is rattled from its shaky opener against Canada.
Morocco is outmatched in this showdown with one of the top soccer nations in the world and will be holding on for dear life on Sunday. A draw is likely the best-case scenario for this side that has only won two of its 17 all-time World Cup matches.
Mismatch to watch: Morocco will be worried about the health of right-back Noussair Mazraoui after he left the pitch in the tournament opener on a stretcher. There will be a mismatch to exploit on the right side if he can’t play against Belgium.
Prop to watch: Michy Batshuayi Over 1.5 Shots On Target (+100). The Belgium striker found the back of the net against Canada and he now has 27 goals in 49 international appearances for his country. At even money, I like his chances to get at least a couple of shots on target.
Croatia vs. Canada betting preview
| Match Odds |
|---|---|
| Croatia vs. Canada | Croatia (+105), Draw (+250), Canada (+275) |
| Total Goals | Over 2.5 (+100), Under 2.5 (-125) |
| Goal In First 10 Minutes: Over/Under 0.5 | Over (+350) |
Croatia wins if: It can find a way to move forward and attack.
Croatia managed just five shots in its tournament opener against Morocco and was lucky to come away with a point for a draw in the match.
Canada wins if: It can replicate an outstanding showing against Belgium.
Canada, in its first World Cup appearance since 1986, really took it to Belgium in every aspect of its opening match. Unfortunately, Alphonso Davies couldn’t convert on an early penalty kick for Canada and Batshuayi made the opposition pay with a goal just before halftime. Canada fired 22 shots in the match, but only three were on target.
Mismatch to watch: Canada coach John Herdman may have poked the bear with this post-game comments about the upcoming match with Croatia.
“I told them they belong here and we’re going to go and eff Croatia. That’s as simple as it gets,” Herdman told the media after the game.
Croatian head coach Zlatko Dalic issued a diplomatic response to the comment, but he’ll surely use it as motivation for his squad ahead of this match.
Croatian tabloid 24sata photoshopped Canadian Herdman naked for its cover, with only a couple of inverted maple leaves covering his mouth and genitals. The accompanying words translate in English: “You have the mouth (tongue), but do you have the balls as well?”
Prop to watch: Goal In First 10 Minutes: Over 0.5 (+350).
With so much drama off the pitch ahead of this match, it’s likely both teams will open things up and push for an early goal. Croatia’s best way to respond to Herdman’s comments is with a quick goal, while the Canadians desperately need three points from this match if they hope to qualify for the knockout rounds. Canada is still looking for its first ever World Cup goal after being held off the scoresheet in its previous four matches, so look for the Canadians to be aggressive early and get the money off their back.
Spain vs. Germany betting preview
| Match Odds |
|---|---|
| Spain vs. Germany | Spain (+130), Draw (+250), Germany (+200) |
| Total Goals | Over 2.5 (-138), Under 2.5 (+110) |
| To Score Anytime | Thomas Muller (+333) |
Spain wins if: It can effectively counter-attack Germany.
All the pressure in this match is on Germany, which needs to come away with three points after its shocking loss to Japan. The Germans will have no choice but to push for a goal, so Spain will have many opportunities to counter.
Spain will be very content with a draw here, but it’s also an opportunity to potentially deliver a deathblow to the Germans and knock them out of the tournament early.
Germany wins if: It can find a way to overcome the increasing pressure.
Germany, ranked 10th in the world by FIFA, has now won just two of its last nine internationals across all competitions. It’s now in danger of not even qualifying for the knockout rounds.
Mismatch to watch: History is on Spain’s side.
Fun fact: Spain has knocked out Germany in the last two tournaments they went head-to-head in (2010 World Cup Semifinals and 2008 Euro Championships). Spain hasn’t lost to Germany in official competitions since the 1988 European Championship, with two draws and three wins since then.
Prop to watch: To Score Anytime: Thomas Muller (+333).
Muller is the man with the most World Cup goals (10 across four World Cups) among active players. With so much pressure mounting, Germany will be looking for the 33-year-old veteran to do something special.
