With the first round of group matches done and dusted, the second round gets underway on Friday.
Upsets and goals were the order of the day for the first five days of the tournament; can we expect the same for the next round?
Don’t miss a kick at Bet9ja, with more than 160 markets for every single match at the World Cup!
Check out our betting tips for Friday’s matches:
Group B: England vs USA
Al Bayt Stadium
Friday 25th November, 20:00
The last time these two met in a World Cup, Robert Green’s howler resigned England to a disappointing draw in their World Cup opener. Fast forward 12 years and the USA are a stronger force, but so are England. After beating Panama 6-1 in the 2018 World Cup, Gareth Southgate’s men then scored six in a World Cup match for just the second time in their history when they beat Iran 6-2 on Monday.
While Iran left much to be desired, England were clinical. Jude Bellingham excelled and scored the opener, and Bukayo Saka justified his selection with a brace on his World Cup debut before Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish came off the bench to score too. Southgate set up with four at the back on Monday; the biggest question mark is does he switch to a wing-back system against stronger opposition, or stick with the XI that were so convincing against Iran?
After failing to qualify for the 2018 tournament, it’s no secret USA have a point to prove this time around. The 1-1 draw with Wales makes this clash with England even more crucial for their hopes of making the Last 16. In a dominant first half against Wales, Tim Weah put his side ahead, but a late Gareth Bale penalty denied them all three points. There’s plenty of firepower with the likes of Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic and the aforementioned Weah, who could make it a tricky evening for the English.
England are understandably favourites at 1.60 at Bet9ja. Goals should be expected on Friday, making an England win with over 2.5 goals at 2.41 or an England win and over 3.5 goals at 4.25 viable options. After failing to net on Monday, Harry Kane is 2.30 to score anytime and 5.00 for first goalscorer.
Bet9ja odds (at time of writing): England win: 1.60, Draw: 4.10, USA win: 5.70
Group B: Wales vs Iran
Ahmad bin Ali Stadium
Friday 25th November, 11:00
Bale’s late penalty rescued a below-par Wales against USA and earned a point in the country’s first World Cup match for 64 years. It was an improved second-half display, with big striker Kieffer Moore’s half-time introduction making a difference. Now the cobwebs have been brushed off, Wales can really get down to business, but Iran won’t be pushovers. England put them to the sword on Monday, but Iran are ranked 20th in the world, and a brace from Porto’s Mehdi Taremi showed Carlos Queiroz’ men have quality in their side.
While Wales are favourites with Bet9ja, don’t be surprised to see a draw, which is 3.10, as the final result. If Moore gets the start his substitute appearance on Monday deserves, odds on him to score anytime at 2.95 might be of value.
Bet9ja odds (at time of writing): Wales win: 2.14, Draw: 3.10, Iran win: 3.90
Group A: Qatar vs Senegal
Al Thumama Stadium
Friday 25th November, 14:00
In arguably one of the most underwhelming World Cup openers in living memory, hosts Qatar were lacklustre to say the least against Ecuador. The South Americans went 0-2 up before half-time and it should have been more, but the second half faded once Ecuador saw Qatar were no threat.
It’s hard to see a top-20-ranked team like Senegal having much issues breaking down a poor Qatar side. Of course, Sadio Mane is a huge loss and it showed in the 2-0 defeat to the Netherlands. Senegal impressed at times and had their chances, but just lacked that clinical edge in front of goal. They should have more luck on Friday though, and it could well be another 0-2 defeat for the hosts, which is 7.10 at Bet9ja.
Bet9ja odds (at time of writing): Qatar win: 5.80, Draw: 3.60, Senegal win: 1.68
Group A: Netherlands vs Ecuador
Khalifa International Stadium
Friday 25th November, 17:00
Ecuador will be sweating on the fitness of all-time top scorer Enner Valencia, who scored a brace in the win against Qatar. Valencia left the field early on Sunday, but his team will hope he will be fit for the tough challenge the Netherlands pose.
While being far from convincing, Louis van Gaal’s Dutch side did enough to get their World Cup campaign off to a winning start. Cody Gakpo and Davy Klaassen got the goals. Memphis Depay came on just after the hour mark and should be fully fit to give the Dutch an added dimension going forward. He is 5.90 to be first goalscorer.
Bet9ja odds (at time of writing): Netherlands win: 1.80, Draw: 3.55, Ecuador win: 4.85
