2018 FIFA World Cup Betting Preview: Day 7 (June 20)

Now that we’re into the second round of group play matches at the 2018 World Cup, we will see some teams start to play with more urgency to get the points that they need to move into the round of 16. On June 20, we will have a pair of Group B matches, as Portugal takes on Morocco and Iran takes on Spain. Iran currently leads that group, thanks to their win over Morocco, with three points, while Spain and Portugal each have one point, having drawn in their match against each other. There is also a Group A match featuring Uruguay against Saudi Arabia. Uruguay and Russia are tied atop Group A, each with three points, while Saudi Arabia and Egypt are still looking for their first points of group play. Check out our World Cup betting preview of these three matches, including television and live streaming information, as well as odds and some insights into each game.

2018 FIFA World Cup Betting Preview: Day 7 (June 20)

Vem aí o segundo jogo do Mundial! Estás pronto para apoiar a Seleção? #ConquistaOSonho ⚽ Portugal x Marrocos 🕘 1 PM (Portugal Continental) 🏟️ Luzhniki Stadium pic.twitter.com/gPdHdU4xZU

— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) June 19, 2018

Group B: Portugal vs Morocco (3:00pm local time, 7:00am Eastern time, FS1/fuboTV)

World Cup Odds: Portugal -196 / Draw +310 / Morocco +679 / O/U 2.5

Portugal got a terrific offensive performance out of Cristiano Ronaldo in their group play opener against Spain, as he put up a hat trick to give his side three goals, as he converted from the penalty spot, on a free kick, and then on a rebound. However, those heroics masked a Portuguese defense and midfield that simply could not deal with Spain’s attack, as Spain possessed for 62 percent of the game and led in shots on goal (12-8) and shots on target (5-3). Portugal certainly has the offense to do some damage to Morocco and will have some frustration to work out, but if they make mistakes on defense, Morocco could definitely find the net too. Morocco has some frustration to work out as well, as they looked like they were headed for a scoreless draw against Iran until they conceded an own goal in the fifth minute of extra time at the end of the second half. Morocco actually won the last two times these teams met, but that was back in 1986. Given the talent differential this time, I see the Portuguese cruising. If you want to make some money in addition to that miserly  moneyline, consider the “over,” because if Portugal was able to hang three goals on Spain, they should be able to get there again against Morocco — and if the Moroccans can get through the Portugal defense, that would add to the total even more.

Group A: Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia (6:00pm local time, 10:00am Eastern time, FOX/fuboTV)

World Cup Odds: Uruguay -648 / Draw +736 / Saudi Arabia +1858 / O/U 3

I will say that it’s hard to muster much of an argument to bet on this game. After Saudi Arabia got demolished by a 5-0 score by Russia (who is not a soccer powerhouse but is the seeded team in Group A as the host nation), it became quite difficult to consider picking them against a Uruguayan side that has more offensive talent than Russia, despite the fact that Uruguay was only able to muster a single goal against Egypt in their group play opener. The odds don’t look good for Saudi Arabia, as Uruguay has won four straight matches and nine of their last ten, and they haven’t permitted a single goal since a November friendly against Austria. Saudi Arabia had the ball for 59 percent of the match against Russia without mustering a single shot on goal, which sounds just about as unlikely as it is. Their defense basically stopped in the second half, and their coach called their play “shameful,” which definitely makes things interesting going into this game. I think Uruguay will win easily — but I wouldn’t be surprised by a 3-0 score, so even the over/under wager is a little dicey.

Group B: Iran vs Spain (9:00pm local time, 1:00pm Eastern time, FOX/fuboTV)

World Cup Odds: Spain -516 / Draw +586 / Iran +2051 / O/U 3

This is another example of a European superpower that will be looking to make a statement in a game against a big underdog, as Spain also came out of their match with Portugal with just a single point. The fact that they came back to take a 3-2 lead late in that game only to see Ronaldo convert a late free kick added to their frustration, and the fact that Iran leads Group B with three points right now gives Spain even more incentive to deal. Spain is the smart bet her, because they have the superior talent level and the motivation, but I would stay under that goal total, because Iran has a fairly solid defense, and Spain won’t need that third goal to win. I see Spain rolling to a 2-0 win, keeping the total under, and you can get more value out of that wager than you can from simply choosing Spain to win.