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2018 World Cup Betting Review: Day 5 Action.

2018 World Cup Betting Review: Day 5 Action

The new week at the World Cup started with a trio of games that brought us very close to the end of the first round of games in the group stage. The game that was perhaps of the most interest to football fans across the world was the one that featured Belgium, as there are a lot of folks who think they are the team to beat in Group G and this tournament in general. We also got to see former champions England open up their tournament, as well as an important Group F game between Sweden and South Korea. Let’s take a look at how those games played out, and how the results affected the betting trends for the tournament.

2018 World Cup Betting Review: Day 5 Action

Sweden 1 – 0 South Korea

Game Stats

  • Attempts: Sweden 15 / South Korea 5
  • On-Target: Sweden 4 / South Korea 0
  • Off-Target: Sweden 5 / South Korea 2
  • Blocked: Sweden 6 / South Korea 3
  • Woodwork: Sweden 0 / South Korea 0
  • Corners: Sweden 6 / South Korea 5
  • Off-sides: Sweden 1 / South Korea 0
  • Possession: Sweden 52 / South Korea 48
With Germany losing to Mexico in the opening game of Group F, this game took on a greater level of importance. This was a chance for both teams to get to the top and put even more pressure on the defending champions. It was, as expected, a tight game with not a lot of scoring opportunities. These are two teams that don’t very often light things up in the attacking side of the field, and that was how this one played out. It was Sweden who eventually broke the deadlock after a VAR review showed that they should have had a penalty. The Sweden captain made no mistake from the spot, and while there were a nervy final few minutes for the Swedes, they held on for the win at odds of +106. The favorite is now 7-2 with 3 draws on the moneyline. The UNDER hit for the 4th straight game, taking the O/U to 3-8-1. With the win, the favorite covered the – 1/2.

Next Games

  • Korea Republic vs. Mexico (June 23rd)
  • Germany vs. Sweden (June 23rd)

Belgium 3 – 0 Panama

Game Stats

  • Attempts: Belgium 15 / Panama 6
  • On-Target: Belgium 6 / Panama 2
  • Off-Target: Belgium 7 / Panama 4
  • Blocked: Belgium 2 / Panama 0
  • Woodwork: Belgium 0 / Panama 0
  • Corners: Belgium 9 / Panama 3
  • Off-sides: Belgium 1 / Panama 3
  • Possession: Belgium 61 / Panama 39
Belgium came into this game as a huge favorite, but it took them a little time to get going. The first half was a little on the slow-paced side, which was not surprising given the high temperature and humidity in the stadium. The Belgians came to life in the second half, scoring 3 times, including a brace from Romelu Lukaku, to cruise to an easy 3-0 win. Belgium (-580) did exactly what they needed to do, but they are another tournament favorite that did not look totally convincing. After beating Panama 3-0, Belgium remains as one of the 2018 World Cup Betting favorites. Still, from a 2018 World Cup betting perspective, it was another straight up win for the favorites, taking the moneyline to 8-2-3 in favor of the favorites. We finally got an OVER, taking the O/U to 4-8-1. Belgium cover -2, taking the spread to 6-6-1 (fav-dog-push).

Next Games

  • Belgium vs. Tunisia (June 23rd)
  • England vs. Panama (June 24th)

Tunisia 1 – England 2

Game Stats

  • Attempts: Tunisia 6 / England 17
  • On-Target: Tunisia 1 / England 7
  • Off-Target: Tunisia 3 / England 7
  • Blocked: Tunisia 2 / England 3
  • Woodwork: Tunisia 0 / England 2
  • Corners: Tunisia 2 / England 7
  • Off-sides: Tunisia 2 / England 3
  • Possession: Tunisia 41 / England 59
This game looked as though it was going to be a walk in the park for the English, as they created multiple great chances before Harry Kane finally gave them the lead. England took the foot off the gas a little after that and was made to pay before half-time, with Tunisia equalizing from the penalty spot. The second half delivered more of a possession game from the English, with the pace of play making it look as though we were going to be headed for a tie game. Harry Kane changed all that, though, scoring late, a trend that is becoming very popular at this World Cup, to give England the win at -250. A good day for the favorites on the moneyline, and they are now 9-2-3. The OVER hit again, taking the O/U to 5-8-1. We had a PUSH in the spread, as England were -1.

Next Games

  • Belgium vs. Tunisia (June 23rd)
  • England vs. Panama (June 24th)