2018 FIFA World Cup: Betting Preview Day 15 (June 28)

Round robin group play comes to an end on Thursday, as Group G and Group H will settle their standings. Japan and Poland square off in the first Group H game, at the same time as the tussle between Senegal and Colombia. In Group G, Panama will take on Tunisia, while England and Belgium will end their group play as well. In Group H, Poland is out, but Japan and Senegal have four points each, while Colombia is behind with just three. Japan would qualify with a win or a draw, as would Senegal, while Colombia must win in order to make the round of 16. In Group G, England and Belgium are both in, and they have identical +6 goal differentials, and they have each scored eight goals in group play so far. If they draw, the tiebreaker would go to fair play points (which would look at yellow and red cards issued) and, if that is even, then lots would be drawn for the group winner. Tunisia and Panama are both playing for pride, as neither side has a point, so they are looking at their World Cup finale tomorrow. We have all the World Cup betting odds, broadcast and live streaming information and game previews for each tilt.

2018 FIFA World Cup: Betting Preview Day 15 (June 28)

SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) tune up behind closed doors ahead of their Poland match #football https://t.co/jsjfZerS5r

— jfa_en (@jfa_en) June 27, 2018

Group H: Japan vs Poland (5:00pm local time, 10:00am Eastern time, FS1/fuboTV)

Odds: Poland -114 / Draw +249 / Japan +338 / O/U 2.5

These are unusual odds, given the fact that Poland has been eliminated and Japan needs a win to qualify — and a lopsided win to guarantee that they will carry the group thanks to goal differential. Japan does not have a lot of individual talent, but they play strong team ball, and that has brought them their results thus far. Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich) has not scored yet in the World Cup this time around, and he should be looking for opportunities to find the back of the net. However, I see Japan coming out strong and keeping Poland at bay. I’m not sure Japan can secure a win here, so I’m taking that value on the moneyline on the draw, because I believe their defense can limit Poland’s opportunities. World Cup Betting Prediction: Japan 1, Poland 1

Group H: Senegal vs Colombia (6:00pm local time, 10:00am Eastern time, FOX/fuboTV)

Odds: Senegal +360 / Draw +263 / Colombia -111 / O/U 2.5

Senegal has beaten the seeded team in the group (in Poland) and was cruising to a win over Japan until Keisuke Honda tallied in the waning minutes to secure the draw. Senegal has just one loss in their last twelve matches and have scored at least one goal in eight of their last ten starts. I expect them to push the pace once again and keep Colombia on their heels. Colombia took an ugly loss to Japan to open play but then delivered a rout over Poland, possessing for 55 percent of the match. Their defense also looked solid, but Poland should never have been a seeded team in this tournament. Colombia has at least two goals in its last three wins, so if they can catch Senegal in some mistakes, they should find the net. Colombia has more offensive talent and more playmakers. World Cup Betting Prediction: Colombia 3, Senegal 1

Group G: Panama vs Tunisia (9:00pm local time, 2:00pm Eastern time, FS1/fuboTV)

Odds: Panama +236 / Draw +230 / Tunisia +127 / O/U 2.5

Panama and Tunisia have both looked sluggish and out of sorts in their first two group play games, although Tunisia almost had England in a draw in their group play opener. Panama took big beatings at the hands of both England and Belgium. Panama permitted six goals to England and will look for some redemption on the defensive end of the pitch. Tunisia followed their squeaker against England by taking a beating from Belgium, allowing five goals. So you have two teams who are playing primarily for pride. Tunisia has the better side when it comes to offense, and they at least have the confidence of having played England close. World Cup Betting Prediction: Tunisia 2, Panama 0

Group G: England vs Belgium (8:00pm local time, 2:00pm Eastern time, FOX/fuboTV)

Odds: England +191 / Draw +223 / Belgium +152 / O/U 2.5

Things looked shaky for England after that first group play game, but then they delivered a 6-1 tattooing of Panama in their next game. It took them just eight minutes to open the scoring, thanks to John Stones, and then Harry Kane converted a penalty in the 22nd minute, but the real onslaught came in the ten minutes before halftime, as England would add three more. Kane finished his hat trick in the 62nd minute. But can they keep this up against an elite team? Panama is one of the least talented teams in the World Cup finals. Belgium has a wealth of talented scorers, although Romelu Lukaku remains questionable for this game. They still have Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne, and I see them pushing the action enough to take this win and the group. World Cup Betting Prediction: Belgium 2, England 1