World Cup Tips, 17 June 2026
Argentina vs Algeria
Argentina -1.5 Asian Handicap (2.17)
Argentina on the -1.5 handicap is the play, turning a stingy 1.42 win price into a far fairer 2.17 for backing the champions to win by two or more. Messi is over his hamstring fatigue and looked sharp scoring in the final friendly against Iceland, and crucially Algeria are without first-choice defender Ramy Bensebaini for the opener. Argentina do carry their own defensive worries with Romero, Molina and Montiel patched up, so the straight win is there as the safer alternative if you prefer not to chase the margin.
🗸 Long Shot: Lautaro Martinez to score 2 or more goals @ 6.50
🗸 Extra Tip: Argentina to Win @ 1.42
Austria vs Jordan
Both Teams to Score - No (1.72)
Both Teams to Score No is the angle because Jordan's attack has been hollowed out: Yazan Al-Naimat, who scored eight times in qualification fixtures, is out for the tournament with a knee injury, leaving Musa Al-Taamari and Ali Olwan to carry a counter-attacking side that may struggle to break down Austria. Austria, deep in midfield with Seiwald, Schlager and Schmid, should control territory and keep a clean sheet more often than not. A 2-0 Austria scoreline is the obvious upgrade if you want a bigger price on the same script.
🗸 Long Shot: Austria to win 2-0 (correct score) @ 6.00
🗸 Extra Tip: Austria to Win @ 1.35
Portugal vs DR Congo
Over 2.5 Goals (1.73)
We lead with Over 2.5 Goals in Houston, where a Portugal attack built around Ronaldo and a record-breaking Bruno Fernandes should pour forward against DR Congo, who are at their first World Cup since 1974. The Champions League-winning PSG bloc of Mendes, Vitinha, Neves and Ramos gives Portugal relentless quality all over the pitch. Backing Portugal to win remains the lower-risk supporting line if you would rather not depend on the goal count.
🗸 Long Shot: Cristiano Ronaldo to score 2 or more goals @ 6.00
🗸 Extra Tip: Portugal to Win @ 1.33
England vs Croatia
England to Win (1.75)
England to Win at 1.75 looks the soundest match-winner price on the card, largely because of Croatia’s patchy pre-tournament form, with warm-up defeats to Brazil and Belgium suggesting they might struggle to match the Three Lions’ class. A close to full strength England carry only minor fullback knocks, while winger Bukayo Saka expected to be available. With Croatia short on creativity, a controlled, lower-scoring England win is the likely shape, so Under 2.5 sits comfortably alongside.
🗸 Long Shot: Harry Kane to score 2 or more goals @ 5.00
🗸 Extra Tip: Under 2.5 Goals @ 1.72
Ghana vs Panama
Ghana Draw No Bet (1.56)
This is a Draw No Bet on Ghana, a safety-first way to back the favourites in a genuinely tight three-way market where Panama are no pushovers. Ghana are without several key players including Thomas Partey, Mohammed Kudus and Kamaldeen Sulemana, which is exactly why the stake-back insurance of Draw No Bet is preferable to a straight win. Panama arrive with a clean bill of health, so expect a low-scoring, scrappy affair where Under 2.5 is the complementary play.
🗸 Long Shot: Ghana to win 2-0 (correct score) @ 9.00
🗸 Extra Tip: Under 2.5 Goals @ 1.65
World Cup 2026 Tips
World Cup 2026: Best Bets, Odds and Best Combo | June 16 (Day 6)
Three Group openers headline Day 6, with France and Norway among the heavy favourites. We break down the value angles and serve up a 3.81 Best Combo with 1xBet.
World Cup 2026: Best Bets, Odds and Best Combo | June 15 (Day 5)
Four Matchday 1 openers headline 15 June, with Spain and Belgium expected to flex and Uruguay opening their campaign in Miami. Here are Simon's value angles and a 3.59 Best Combo.
World Cup 2026: Best Bets, Odds and Best Combo | June 14
Day 4 is the heaviest slate of the opening round with four matches across 19 hours. Scotland open against Haiti without Billy Gilmour, Germany face World Cup debutants Curaçao, and the Netherlands meet a Japan side that beat England at Wembley.
World Cup 2026: Best Bets, Odds and Best Combo | June 13
Three group openers on Day 3, headlined by Pochettino's USMNT in Los Angeles, a Swiss side facing the lowest-ranked opener on the slate and a Brazil team missing Neymar, Rodrygo and Estêvão against an in-form Morocco.
