WORLD CUP MONDAY: The Ultra previews Monday’s four World Cup games between CAMEROON v SERBIA, SOUTH KOREA v GHANA, BRAZIL v SWITZERLAND and PORTUGAL v URUGUAY all including a recommended BETDAQ bet.
CAMEROON V SERBIA
10am A new week begins at the World Cup on BETDAQ Betting Exchange, and we have some very interesting betting heats on Monday. We have no “major” favourite today, with the shortest price of the day Brazil at 1.55 to beat Switzerland – even then that is a top of the table clash and although Brazil are tournament favourites, Switzerland have impressed lately. We kick off the day in Group G too with Cameroon taking on Serbia. This is obviously a massive game for both sides having both lost their opening fixture. Although Serbia would have been “expected” to lose against Brazil in their opening game, it was a setback for Cameroon to lose to Switzerland and not only are Serbia odds on to win here, Cameroon have to face Brazil in their final Group game. Fair to say that both sides need to win here. This was always going to be a very difficult Group for both sides, and Cameroon would have been expected to finish last – especially going off the betting markets. While Serbia are a much stronger side on paper, I do feel that the 1.77 is a little short here. I know Serbia topped their qualifying Group with Portugal in it, but that couldn’t have been in more dramatic circumstances and probably flattered Serbia.
Portugal just needed to beat the Republic of Ireland but threw in an average performance to draw 0-0. Then Portugal only needed a draw at home to Serbia, but Serbia scored in the dying moments of the game with incredible scenes. That is to their credit, but outside Portugal that Group was quite weak. It’s hard to read too much into the performance against Brazil in their opening game, they set out for a draw – who could blame them – so they didn’t create much. Cameroon also set out for a draw against Switzerland, but they were outplayed and Switzerland could have scored more. While I feel the Serbia lay might offer some value in the match odds market, I’m also happy to avoid having a position in that market. This is definitely a game for small stakes to start the week, and I like Under 2.5 goals at 1.88. I expect both sides will be quite cagey and I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see 0-0 at half-time, it might open up from there but I don’t see this one having many fireworks.
The Ultra Says:
One point win Under 2.5 goals at 1.88 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE.
You can view all markets here -> https://betdaq.biz/CamSer
SOUTH KOREA V GHANA
1pm We move over to Group H next as South Korea meet Ghana is another huge game for both sides. This might not be the most glamorous fixture for casual football fans, but with such an interesting situation in the Group it’s do-or-die for both teams. South Korea would have been delighted with a 0-0 draw in their opening game against Uruguay – they would have been expected to lose that game, and Portugal and Uruguay were fully expected to finish first and second. That draw does open up the Group, but South Korea have to back it up with a win over Ghana here. Ghana lost 3-2 to Portugal, but they won’t be too disheartened with that – it would have been reasonably expected and they’ll be targeting this fixture for a win and then hopefully get a result against Uruguay. It’s hard to read too much into the opening games – the Uruguay v South Korea match didn’t even have a shot on target – I think that broke a World Cup record going back years! While Ghana played OK against Portugal but there’s an obvious gulf in class between the sides. It’s easy to see why we have a very open market here, and it’s hard to see anything bar a very close game. Even the Under/Over 2.5 goals market is tricky because the Ghana game was so open yet to South Korea game was so cagey! It will be interesting to see how both sides line-up here and gel together.
After getting a draw against Uruguay, surely South Korea know they have to attack more here. A draw is basically no good to them because they have to play Portugal in their final game. They have to win here to give themselves a chance. Ghana put in a terrible display at the AFCON, but their performance against Portugal was pretty good. The most amazing thing was actually the goal scorer hitting the SUI celebration with Ghana 3-2 down – incredible! Most players would be running back to the half-time trying to get a point! What you would say about South Korea is that they are very solid, but they do lack a spark up front. They will be the better side here, but I can see them struggling to convert their chances. Under 2.5 goals does make appeal at 1.62 but I’m going to back the draw here at 3.15. I can only see a very close game, and Ghana can get something. I wouldn’t rule out another 0-0 for South Korea.
The Ultra Says:
One point win Draw at 3.15 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE.
You can view all markets here -> https://betdaq.biz/KorGha
BRAZIL V SWITZERLAND
4pm We get into the highlight fixtures now! We finish Monday with two top quality fixtures, the first of which is Brazil taking on Switzerland in Group G. This is a top of the table clash after both sides won their opening fixtures, and you could call this the first test for tournament favourites Brazil. The market is expecting them to win though – they are currently trading 1.55 at the time of writing. I have to say that price does feel a little short in my opinion – Switzerland played well in their opening fixture and they come into this game in a good place. They beat some top teams in the Nations League this year, and they are going to give Brazil a good game here. While Brazil had a “slow” first half against Serbia, they turned on the style in the second half running out easy winners. Their main worry was Neymar’s ankle, which he was quick to show the world with his boot off and the camera on! Switzerland have a lot of talented attackers in their squad, but it would be unreasonable to suggest that they won’t be delighted with a point here. That will set them up nicely to qualify, and I would expect them to go into this game with that mindset. It will be up to Brazil to make the running and try break them down.
Switzerland are generally solid at the back too. They will be well drilled, and it will be interesting to see how Brazil grind them down. We also have to consider a goal difference situation – depending on the result of the Serbia game earlier, Switzerland might not open up too much even if they go 1-0 down until late. Under 2.5 goals definitely comes into the question here given the likely tactics of Switzerland, and Under 2.5 goals is definitely an appealing price at 2.07. I have to say the Brazil lay at 1.55 is also appealing, but with Under 2.5 goals trading odds against I’m going to opt for that as my best bet. I expect a closer game than the odds of 1.55 suggest on Brazil, but they can grind out a 1-0 win here against a rock solid Switzerland side. Under 2.5 stands out here at the odds – I would have it odds on. We should have a cracking game here, and this should give us a good guide where both sides stand in the tournament ahead.
The Ultra Says:
Two points win Under 2.5 goals at 2.07 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE.
You can view all markets here -> https://betdaq.biz/BraSwi
PORTUGAL V URUGUAY
7pm We move back to Group H to finish an intriguing day as Portugal meet Uruguay. Pre-tournament, I was very confident these two would finish first and second but wasn’t sure it what order. I thought this fixture would decide that, but the Group was thrown wide open with South Korea getting a draw against Uruguay. Depending on the South Korea result earlier in the day, Uruguay could be under immense pressure here. I have to say I was very disappointed with the Uruguay 0-0 draw against South Korea. There wasn’t a single shot on target, which as I set above set World Cup records going back years. I thought Uruguay would have more spark up front, and it was definitely a disappointing start for a side who look exciting on paper. The manager needs to work some things out tactics wise, because their squad is much better than that showing. Portugal are generally strong at the back, but the Ghana game was very open with five goals. I would say Portugal wouldn’t be too unhappy with a draw here, but if Japan were to win earlier we could see some crazy scenes in the final Group game between Portugal and Japan. After what happened against Serbia, surely Portugal have to go for it here – leave nothing to chance.
It’s very hard to have a strong opinion on the match odds market here. The 2.0 on Portugal feels a little short when you look at the squads, but it’s hard to make a strong case for Uruguay after their first showing. I believe that they are better than that, but I’m not willing to lay Portugal at these prices. I’m happy to step away from the match odds market, and look around the side markets for some value. Surely Uruguay can improve up front, and they’ll finally get a shot on target here! Over 2.5 goals does make appeal at 2.24 – Portugal conceded more chances than I expected against Ghana, and I’m hoping Uruguay will have learned from their opening game. That is a risk however, so I’m going to keep stakes small here. I just expect a better showing from Uruguay looking at their squad, but I guess we’ll know where we stand a lot more after this fixture. I think we’ll see goals here, but keep stakes small.
The Ultra Says:
One point win Over 2.5 goals at 2.24 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE.
You can view all markets here -> https://betdaq.biz/PorUru
