The World Cup is in full swing, and today we have four games featuring action from Groups K and L. We start in the afternoon with Uzbekistan vs. Portugal, then Ghana vs. England takes the spotlight before Tuesday's action finishes with Croatia vs. Panama and DR Congo vs. Colombia.
So, let's dive into today's World Cup best bets.
Today's World Cup Best Bets
The team logos in the table below represent each of the World Cup matchups that our staff is targeting from today's slate. Click on the team logos for any of the matchups below to navigate to a specific bet discussed in this article.
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 1:00 p.m. | |
| 1:00 p.m. | |
  | 4:00 p.m. | |
| 4:00 p.m. | |
  | 7:00 p.m. | |
  | 10:00 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our World Cup odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Uzbekistan vs. Portugal
Portugal's 1-1 draw against DR Congo was a significant underperformance. Roberto Martinez's squad managed only seven total shots, with just one on target, their worst attacking display in this competition since 1966. Despite holding 75% of the possession, their expected goals (xG) figure was a meager 0.65. This lack of creativity was surprising given a midfield that includes stars like Bruno Fernandes and Vitinha.
A strong response is expected against Uzbekistan. The pressure is on Portugal to not only win but to do so convincingly. This likely means a more aggressive tactical approach, moving away from an over-reliance on Cristiano Ronaldo and involving their other dynamic attackers more frequently. In nine of their last 14 victories, Portugal have won by a margin of two or more goals, showing they have the capacity to cover this spread when they are focused.
Pick: Portugal -1 (-161)
Uzbekistan vs. Portugal
Uzbekistan, meanwhile, lost 3-1 to Colombia in their opening match. While they showed flashes of attacking intent in the second half, their inexperience at this level was evident. They conceded three goals and will face an even greater test against a Portuguese side desperate for a result. While Uzbekistan may adopt a defensive, low-block strategy to frustrate their opponents, Portugal's superior talent should ultimately prove too much to handle.
The combination of Portugal's need for a statement win and Uzbekistan's defensive vulnerabilities supports a comfortable victory for the European side. However, given Portugal's recent struggles to be free-flowing in attack, a massive goal-fest seems less likely, making the combination of a Portugal win with under four team goals an appealing angle.
Pick: Portugal to Win & Under 4 Portugal Goals (-143)
Ghana vs. England
England showcased their offensive firepower by scoring four goals against a tough Croatia side, outperforming their expected goals (xG) of 3.21. It is reasonable to expect another high-output performance against a Ghana defense that has shown vulnerabilities.
In their pre-tournament friendly matches, Ghana lost to Austria, Germany, and Mexico, conceding two or more goals in each defeat. Their struggle to contain Panama, the weakest team in the group, suggests they will have significant trouble against England's dynamic attack.
While England is heavily favored, Ghana could find the back of the net. The English defense was not entirely convincing against Croatia, allowing two goals from just 0.70 xG.
Ghana possesses quality forwards, including Premier League player Antoine Semenyo, who have the ability to challenge Jordan Pickford’s goal. This combination points to a game with at least three goals, with an England victory the most likely outcome.
Pick: England To Win and Over 2.5 Goals (-140)
Ghana vs. England
Harry Kane started the tournament in exceptional form, scoring twice against Croatia and equaling Gary Lineker's record of 10 goals for England in the competition. As the team's designated penalty taker and a major threat on set pieces, Kane is a prime candidate to score.
Five of his seven shots in the opening match came from set-piece situations. Given that England is an overwhelming favorite to win, pairing a victory with a goal from their star striker offers solid value.
Pick: England To Win and Harry Kane To Score (-130)
Croatia vs. Panama
Croatia to score over 1.5 goals presents strong value. Despite a low xG of just 0.70 against England, Croatia proved to be incredibly clinical, converting their chances to score twice. They should find far more goalscoring opportunities against Panama. In their eight qualification matches, Croatia scored more than 1.5 goals in six of them, averaging an impressive 3.25 goals per game. While Panama’s defense held Ghana to just two shots on target, they still conceded a late goal, and facing the quality of Croatia is a significant step up.
Pick: Croatia Over 1.5 Goals (-163)
DR Congo vs. Colombia
Despite their underdog status, DR Congo showed they can compete by securing a 1-1 draw against Portugal. They played a disciplined defensive game, ceding possession but creating better scoring opportunities, finishing with a higher expected goals (xG) total than the Portuguese (0.87 to 0.65). This ability to generate chances on the counter-attack supports the idea that they can find the net against a Colombian team that has conceded in four of its last five games. DR Congo has scored in 17 of its last 19 matches, and with Yoane Wissa leading the line, they possess the quality to trouble Colombia's backline.
Colombia’s attack, led by the dynamic Luis Diaz, was clinical in its first game. After dominating the first half, they responded quickly to Uzbekistan's equalizer, showcasing their resilience. The depth on their bench, with substitutes Jaminton Campaz and Cucho Hernandez combining for the third goal, adds another layer to their threat. While DR Congo's defensive strategy was effective against Portugal, Colombia's fluid movement and commitment to sending runners forward could prove a much tougher challenge to contain.
Pick: Both Teams to Score – Yes (+125)
