The Round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup marches on Monday with two more quarterfinal spots up for grabs. The winners go on to play each other Friday. So far, the Netherlands, Argentina, France and England have locked up their place in the final eight. Let’s get right into the best World Cup bets with our predictions for Japan-Croatia and Brazil-South Korea.
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Best World Cup Best: Japan-Croatia Prediction, Odds
| Japan Moneyline | +290 |
| Croatia Moneyline | +105 |
| Draw Moneyline | +235 |
| Japan-Croatia Prediction: Over/Under 2.5 Total Goals | Over: +125, Under: -155 |
| Location | Al Janoub Stadium, Al-Wakrah, Qatar |
| Time | 10 AM ET |
| TV | FOX |
Japan to Take Croatia to Extra Time
The sharps say to always bet with your head and not your heart. Since Japan defeated the United States in a friendly in September, it has had believers on absolute strings. From their kits to their support to their high press football, this team is likeable in essentially every facet of the game. However, it faces another massive test in the Round of 16 against clinical Croatia. The Samurai Blues have already taken down Germany and Spain, so people are asking: Can they overturn another European powerhouse?
Honestly, it would be a bit hypocritical to stop backing Japan at this point. It has proven on two occasions it can sit back in a game, retain less than 20% of the ball and still make something of the final result. But it would be naïve not to mention it was literally millimeters away from falling out of the tournament, before Ao Tanaka scored his game-winner against Spain.
In a game of fine margins, it will be hard to pick apart a Croatia team with one loss and five clean sheets in it past 10 games. Its defense has held up wonderfully in Qatar, conceding only once. However, its xG of 3.8 reveals a little bit of luck in this department. Romelu Lukaku made a mess of his chances on Matchday 3 and was the proof that Croatia is not rock solid with clear certainty.
Use head and heart and favor Japan reasonably at +0.5 in regular time, with odds of -125. Furthermore, a play on both teams to score at -105 is a nice addition to this card. Though this is not necessarily a trend for either of these teams, it has hit in three of the four Round of 16 games so far. With elimination on the line, tactics and the pace of play changes so quickly, which can make for easy goals.
Final Japan-Croatia Prediction: Japan +0.5 (-125, DraftKings)
BTTS (-105, DraftKings)
Best World Cup Bets: Brazil-South Korea, Prediction Odds
| Brazil Moneyline | -360 |
| South Korea Moneyline | +1000 |
| Draw Moneyline | +500 |
| Brazil-South Korea Prediction: Over/Under 2.5 Total Goals | Over: -135, Under: +110 |
| Location | Stadium 974, Doha, Qatar |
| Time | 2 PM ET |
| TV | FOX |
Brazil Offense Will Handle South Korea
The World Cup bet for Brazil-South Korea favors the five-time champions. Brazil at -1.5 (-130) here parallels an earlier England-Senegal pick. Oftentimes in the knockouts at a World Cup, chalk does win out. After throwing a lifeline out on Japan, stay safe with this latter Round of 16 match.
Brazil has won by multiple goals in seven of its past 10 matches, including a win over South Korea this summer. The Seleção Canarinho won that match 5-1, thanks to contributions from four goal-scorers. That put Brazil’s record against South Korea at a dominant 6-0-1.
Though Brazil is without the service of Gabriel Jesus for the rest of the tournament, Neymar is back in the mix, ready to be selected Monday. Favor him to score anytime with odds of +110. The PSG forward has five goals in his past six for Brazil and is due to make an impact at the World Cup. His presence makes the task for Son Heung-min and company even more challenging.
All in all, South Korea has not impressed at this tournament. It barely kept the pace against sluggish Uruguay, was exposed at the back by Ghana, and snuck past near fully rotated Portugal. Brazil will get by easily for its eighth straight advancement from the Round of 16.
Final Brazil-South Korea Prediction: Brazil -1.5 (-130, DraftKings)
Neymar to score (+110, DraftKings)
