Friday’s World Cup Finals action sees South Korea take on Czech Republic in Group A in the early hours and later in the day in Group B co-hosts Canada open their campaign against Bosnia Herzegovina
Group A South Korea v Czech Republic
For the latest betting for this group and details of the squads click here.
South Korea
South Korea’s most recent friendly matches to tune up for this tournament saw them beat Trinidad (5-0) and El Salvador (1-0). They came through their qualifying region unbeaten but coach Hong Myung-Bo has one of the older squads from which to select his line up and reportedly he is not exactly Mr Popular with the Korean fans. Son Heung-min will be playing his fourth World Cup finals, he has been short of goals since moving from Spurs to the MLS.
South Korea have been trading at 3/1 to finish top of Group A.
Czech Republic
Czech Republic’s preparation matches delivered wins over Kosovo (2-1) and Guatemala (3-1). After appointing Miroslav Koubek as coach they came through qualifying via the play offs in Europe earlier this year and it was thrilling stuff. They first saw off Ireland on spot kicks before holding their nerve in another penalty shoot out to send Denmark out. Both those games finished 2-2.
Czech Republic have been trading at 3/1 to finish top of Group A
The Betting:
South Korea are trading at around 33/20 to win the game with the draw priced at 21/10 and Czech Republic can be backed at around 7/4.
A game of 3 goals or more is priced at 12/5 and it’s 9/10 for both teams to score
Price Boosts: Patrik Schick to score the first goal boosted to 23/4 with Sportingbet
Heung Min Son to score anytime boosted to 23/10 with Sportingbet
The Verdict:
This looks a tricky match to call but I believe there is a goal for the Czech’s here and that price boost for Schik to score first looks attractive enough. He opened the scoring from the penalty spot against Ireland in the play off semi finals and also hit the target first in the most recently friendly against Guatemala and he could be worth following.
Bets: Patrik Schick to score the first goal boosted to 23/4 with Sportingbet
Note, odds are subject to change
Group B Canada v Bosnia & Herzegovina
For the latest betting for this group and details of the squads click here.
Canada
Canada are unbeaten in their last 8 friendly internationals, most recently they drew 1-1 with Rep of Ireland and prior to that they were 2-0 winners over Uzbekistan. Other matches in that sequence against sides who are at these finals, Tunisia, Ecuador and Colombia all finished 0-0.
Coach Jesse Marsch reckons this is the best ever Canada side and Jonathan David is the main goal threat. Alphonso Davies of Bayern is another star turn but he has been batting to recover from injury and a few others in the squad are also just returning towards full fitness.
Canada have been trading at 2/1 to finish top of Group B.
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Bosnia came through qualifying via the play offs in Europe earlier this year. They first beat Wales on spot kicks after a 1-1 draw in Cardiff before they eliminated Italy in the same manner, winning the shoot out after another 1-1 draw. Sergej Barbarez is the coach and 40 year old Edin Dzeko leads the line. Their two most recent friendly matches delivered draws with North Macedonia (0-0) and Panama (1-1).
B&H have been trading at 5/1 to finish top of Group B
The Betting:
Canada are trading at around 5/6 to win the game with the draw priced at 5/2 and Bosnia can be backed at around 17/5.
A game of 3 goals or more is priced at 23/20 and it’s even money for both teams to score
Price Boost: Jonathan David to score the first goal boosted to 17/4 with Sportingbet
The Verdict:
After two late goals saved them in the play off matches there is no doubt Bosnia are a spirited side who don’t know when they are beaten but I’m thinking Canada can make a winning start and in the multi score market I’m with them to come out on top 1-0, 2-0 or 3-0.
Bets: Multi scores Canada to win 1-0, 2-0 or 3-0 at 39/20 with Sportingbet
Note, odds are subject to change