Spain are back in World Cup action tonight as they take on Saudi Arabia and will have a point to prove after shooting blanks against Cape Verde.
That 0-0 draw in the Group H opener was one of the greatest World Cup shocks of all time and the Spanish badly missed the pace and trickery of Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams in attack.
Both made late cameos off the bench on their comebacks from injury and it looks Barcelona star Yamal will now be unleashed from the start in a bid to give them a spark.
Spain vs Saudi Arabia top betting bits
Saudi Arabia claimed a creditable draw with Uruguay in their World Cup opener and also shocked Argentina with a 2-1 victory at Qatar 2022.
That suggests they won't be a pushover tonight but Bet365 still make them 25/1 outsiders tonight, with the European champions hot favourites at 1/12.
Yamal's return should make Spain more dangerous and he's just 20/21 with Bet365 for a goal. An assist offers more value as that pays 11/8.
Corners look like the safest bet though, with Spain winning 11 in their opener and Saudi Arabia conceding 14 against the Uruguayans.
You have to go to Spain -6 in the corner handicap to get to 5/4 at Bet365 but I'm more drawn to over five first-half corners at 11/8.
Uruguay vs Cape Verde
Uruguay will still be smarting from dropping two points against Saudi Arabia but need to focus on the next challenge against Group H shock troops Cape Verde.
Although Marcelo Bielsa's side could only draw with the Saudis, it was still a dominant display as they had 27 shots, with 10 on target, as well as winning 14 corners.
Those stats suggest the goals should come tonight, even though Cape Verde put up a heroic resistance against the Spaniards.
A Uruguay win pays just 4/9 with Bet365 but if you add on over 1.5 goals it boost the odds to a decent 20/23. The same bet with over 2.5 strikes pays 8/5.
Federico Vinas has five cracks at goal against the Saudis, with three on target, so could be worth a punt for anytime scorer tonight at 13/10. He's also 6/4 for over 1.5 efforts on target.
Belgium vs Iran
Belgium were odds-on favourites to top Group G before a ball was kicked but both games were drawn in the opening round of fixtures.
A win tonight would still leave the Red Devils in a strong position but few teams at these finals are more motivated than their opponents Iran.
After their opening draw with New Zealand, boss Amir Ghalenoei claimed they were the World Cup's “most oppressed” team after being forced to stay in Canada and only arrive in the USA on the day of their games.
Staff members have also been denied visas so they will need to overcome a number of obstacles to shock the Belgians.
Given all those factors, it's no surprise to see Belgium as 21/50 hot favourites with Bet365. I'm going to combine a win for them with over 2.5 goals at 5/4, given Iran conceded twice to a limited Kiwi side.
Romelu Lukaku still isn't fit to start but should get at least half an hour tonight after making an impact off the bench against Egypt. The giant Belgian striker is a tempting 10/1 to net with a header and that could be worth looking up on World Cup betting apps.
Super singles
- Over five first-half corners in Spain vs Saudi Arabia 11/8 Bet365
- Uruguay win and over 1.5 goals 20/23 Bet365
- Belgium win and over 2.5 goals 5/4 Bet365
Long shot
- Lukaku to score a header 10/1 Bet365
Upcoming match previews and betting tips
- Sun 17:00 Spain vs Saudi Arabia
- Sun 20:00 Belgium vs Iran
- Sun 23:00 Uruguay vs Cape Verde
- Mon 02:00 Egypt vs New Zealand
Racing tips
Royal Ascot has finished but there's still some great racing today and our top team have picked out some horses to watch.
As always, post your own tips and comments below.
GambleAware
Spain v SA
I AMam fulling expecting a reaction after the lethargy of the first match (as is every man with his dog) couple that with the AC and that can only mean one thing, goals for Spain. If they discover their ruthless streak then it could scupper corners as they will retain possession. Always hard knowing what player will do what but the Yamal assist angle is the one for now. Betvictor have a crazy price for over 1.5 assists for Yamal at 14/1 the rest of the market is no more than 7/1.
Yamal assist 19/10
over 1.5 assists 14/1 both BV
Belgium v Iran
Iran over 0.5 goals at 4/5 (NAP)
Iran to score over 1.5 goals at 4/1
Iran aren’t a bad team at all and will score at least 1 here.
Best of luck
Penalty in each of the 3 World cup games today
Doubles and treble . All 3 up pays 53/1 Hills
Scaby odds but gives me a bit of interest .
Maccas own goals for me today
Spain game 8/1
Belgium game 7/1
Uruguay game 8/1
Singles bet 365
3 tanner doubles
tanner treble
2 Bob
1 down 2 to go David. Fingers crossed for u mate 🤞
Spain -1
Argentina
evens @ladbrokes
Spain -1
Argentina
evens @ladbrokes
What the hell typed Spain over 3.5 Team goals 5/4 and that 👆🏽 came up
Good afternoon, guys,
Today’s punt,
Spain vs Saudi Arabia – kick off 17:00
Spain over 3.5 first half corners.
Belgium vs Iran – kick off 20:00
Belgium to WIN (2 Up).
Uruguay vs Cape Verde kick off 23:00
Uruguay over 1.5 first half corners
Treble @ 233/100 with W/Hills.
good luck with all bets today !!!!!
Spain v Saudi – 4/1+ PP insured
Abdulhamid to be carded
Oyarzabal & Yamal SOT
Saudi keeper 5+ saves
—
Spain to score both halves & take 6+ corners 5/4 365
—
Belgium v Iran – Belgium to score in 1st half EVENS WH
—
Ladbrokes insured 5fold pays 27/5(early payout)
Spain v Saudi – 3+ gls
Belgium v Iran – Belgium win
Uruguay v Cape Verde – 2+ gls
New Zealand v Egypt – Egypt win
Goias v Operario – 2+ gls
—
‘Shoe-in’ treble pays 11/10+ – PP
Spain to score & take 5+ corners
Belgium to score & take 5+ corners
Uruguay to score & take 3+ corners
Free punt back from BB at Spain game…
Raskin 2+ foul involvements
Hardani to be carded
Trossard SOT
Iran GK 3+ saves
7/1 just under
Own goal lands again at 8/1 that’s number 8.
Missed this one but well in the lads that got on. Shocking behaviour from the bookies cutting the prices like that. They don’t half rip the back end out of it when it comes to not giving the punters value. At the end of the day betting on an own goal is something that can’t be “statistically based” therefor the odds should not fluctuate that much. Scum bag bookies
Own goal prices down a 1/3 from normal 7/1 from 11s and 12s,had a few next goal at 33/1 in the past,now roughly 20/1 at times,still not bad I suppose.
Ok
Yep bookies reeling in the prices as expected,probably start restricting the amount you can put on to really take the fun out of it😒
Yep bookies reeling in the prices as expected,probably start restricting the amount you can put on to really take the fun out of it😒
The prices do vary from game to game, they will be a bit higher in the next round for sure.
Belgium v Iran
Belgium red card 12/1
Iran red card 7/1
Betfair
Over3.5 cards 11/8
Both teams red card 66/1
Bet 366
Kevin De Bruyne to score or assist Evens
Kevin De Bruyne 2+ shots on target 7/4