Yesterday was a tough one as none of our picks landed, but sometimes that’s tournament betting. Let's dust ourselves off, trust the process, and go again.
I have three strong plays today, and the matchups couldn’t set up better.
Read on for my World Cup goal scorer picks, including Folarin Balogun, Brahim Diaz, and Raphinha.
World Cup Goal Scorer Picks Today
United States vs Australia Goal Scorer Pick
| Australia Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+0.5 +135 | 2.5 -105o / -120u | +450 |
| United States Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-0.5 -170 | 2.5 -105o / -120u | -165 |
Folarin Balogun — Anytime Goalscorer vs. Australia (+155)
The breakout star so far for the USMNT at this tournament. Folarin Balogun scored twice in the USA’s 4-1 opening win over Paraguay which marked the first World Cup brace by an American player since 1930 — and helped set the record for most goals ever scored by the US in a single World Cup match.
His two goals came via a sweeping finish off a Christian Pulisic cutback in the 31st minute and a composed lifted strike over the goalkeeper in first-half stoppage time.
Now with the news that Pulisic has been nursing a minor injury since the last match, more of that scoring pressure falls on Balogun. However, he has felt that before as he carried his club team, Monaco, with a stunning streak this season, scoring in eight consecutive Ligue 1 matches. He also finished as their leading scorer across all competitions.
Australia will provide more of a test than Paraguay, but this is a player who is arriving at the World Cup at the peak of his powers.
Scotland vs Morocco Goal Scorer Pick
| Morocco Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-0.5 -140 | 2.5 125o / -155u | -130 |
| Scotland Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+0.5 +110 | 2.5 125o / -155u | +400 |
Brahim Diaz to score or assist vs. Scotland (+150)
Brahim Diaz was Morocco’s best player in their 1-1 draw with Brazil, and it wasn’t close. He picked up a loose ball in midfield and threaded a perfect through ball between Brazil’s Gabriel and Marquinhos to assist on Ismael Saibari’s opening goal — a pass that dissected two of the best center-backs in world football.
Diaz also registered two shots before being subbed off at the 65th minute. Morocco’s creative engine was dominant against the best team in the group, and now gets Scotland, who edged Haiti 1-0 and will be under enormous pressure.
Diaz top-scored at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with five goals in five matches, and he is Morocco’s designated penalty taker, giving him multiple routes to a goal involvement. At +150, this is a strong play on the most dangerous creative player in their squad.
Brazil vs Haiti Goal Scorer Pick
| Haiti Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -110 | 3.5 -115o / -110u | +2200 |
| Brazil Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -115 | 3.5 -115o / -110u | -1000 |
Raphinha — Anytime Goalscorer vs. Haiti (+110)
A quiet Matchday 1 by his standards, but don’t be fooled. The best version of Raphinha is coming, and it needs to come today. He played all 90 minutes in Brazil’s 1-1 draw with Morocco and was largely anonymous, with analysts noting he’ll need to improve significantly going forward.
The Barcelona captain isn't a player who goes quiet for long as he recorded 34 goals and 22 assists across all competitions last season — one of the great individual campaigns in European football. He is Brazil’s captain, their designated penalty taker, and their most technically complete attacker.
Haiti is the weakest team in Group C, Brazil need a win, and Ancelotti will demand a response. Raphinha at +110 against Haiti is good bet considering the five-time champions will look to pile on the goals.
Let’s have a Friday!
