8am ET Uruguay -127 vs. South Korea +430 draw +254
(total 2 -138 / +122)
11am ET Portugal -265 vs. Ghana +770, draw +430
(total 3 +135 / -155)
2pm ET Brazil -215 vs. Serbia +640, draw +370
(total 3 +125 / -145)
early result - Switerland 1 - 0 Cameroon
Long day of travel had me away from the matches, and sleeping to miss the Swiss match this morning. Back at it today with 3 more WC matches and 3 NFL games.
Who do you like?
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CBS picks (8-2 overall this WC)
URUGUAY -130
ANALYSIS: Uruguay was my dark horse entering the 2022 World Cup and they’ll likely need a victory on Thursday if they want to top Group H, especially with a showdown against Portugal on the horizon. Uruguay’s attack is led by Luis Suarez, who has scored 68 international goals in 134 appearances. Uruguay also features the likes of Darwin Nunez and Fede Valverde, two players who are having stellar seasons with their clubs. Nunez has recorded five goals and two assists for Liverpool, while Valverde has registered six goals and two assists for Real Madrid. In addition to a lethal attack, Uruguay features one of the world’s most disciplined back lines, led by veteran Diego Godín. Uruguay have conceded just one goal in their last seven fixtures in all competitions, which includes shutouts against Canada, USA and Mexico. I’m expecting this match to be a tightly contested bout, but I think Uruguay’s quality will be the difference.
Brandt Sutton
URUGUAY -130
ANALYSIS: Uruguay has a terrific team featuring José Giménez, Federico Valverde, Rodrigo Bentancur, Luis Suárez and Darwin Núñez. Uruguay looks like a dark horse to win this tournament, and it should be capable of qualifying for the knockout stage. However, it may need to beat South Korea to do so, as it then faces tricky games against Portugal and Ghana. The South Koreans will take a risk by starting talismanic forward Son Heung-Min in this game, as he is coming back from injury and he will not be fully fit. This should be a tight game, but Uruguay's firepower could ultimately lead it to victory.
Martin Green
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OVER 2.5 Brazil/Serbia
ANALYSIS: I think this is a bargain at -135, as I expect Brazil to come out firing after seeing two powerhouses go down already. I don't think it will be Spain-Costa Rica, but I expect the Brazilians to get multiple goals. The Selecao just have too much firepower with the likes of Neymar, Richarlison, Raphinha and Gabriel Jesus. And while the Brazil defense might be the best it has ever been, Aleksandar Mitrovic or Dusan Vlahovic should crack the code at least once for the Serbs. I'd play this down to -170.
James Holliman
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OVER 2.5 Brazil/Serbia
This matchup is one of my favorites in the entire group stage with Neymar, Vinicius Junior, Dusan Vlahovic and Aleksandar Mitrovic among the players set to take the field. Brazil is the No. 1 ranked team in the world because of their offensive firepower. The Brazilians have scored three or more goals in six of their last seven games. Serbia features an efficient offensive attack as well, scoring eight goals in their final three UEFA Nations League matches leading into the 2022 World Cup. Both teams will want to come out strong and establish an early lead, which I think helps push this game Over 2.5 (-125).
Brandt Sutton
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UNDER 2.5 Brazil/Serbia
ANALYSIS: Despite its reputation as an offensive firepower, World Cup favorite Brazil usually does not ring up big scores. In the previous Cup, four of its five matches had two goals, the other had three. Serbia, similarly, has registered just four goals in the last two Cup appearances covering six matches. The Under contains value at +105, even as the Serbs have upgraded their front line. If recent history holds, an Under awaits.
Mike Tierney
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BRAZIL -1.5
ANALYSIS: Brazil are one of the favorites, but Serbia have some real quality. It's just that the South Americans are so loaded everywhere on the pitch, and because they love to hold on to the ball, I expect them to score multiple times. Serbia could get a goal through a star like Dusan Vlahovic, but with Neymar, Gabriel Jesus and Vinicius Jr., a barrage of chances to score should come Brazil's way. This feels like a game where Brazil can win a penalty against an aggressive Serbian defense. I think there's a better than 50/50 chance they cover, so getting plus odds makes it a great value play.
Roger Gonzalez
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