The 2022 World Cup slate Saturday features some scintillating games in Groups C and D. Lionel Messi in particular will be looking to avenge Argentina’s loss in Matchday 1 in a matinee versus Mexico. Below you’ll find the best World Cup bets, odds and predictions for Poland-Saudi Arabia, France-Denmark and Argentina-Mexico.
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World Cup Odds: Poland-Saudi Arabia Odds
| Poland Moneyline | -135 |
| Saudi Arabia Moneyline | +400 |
| Draw Moneyline | +270 |
| Over/Under 2.5 Total Goals | Over: +110, Under: -140 |
| Location | Education City Stadium, Ar Rayyan, Qatar |
| Time | 8 AM ET |
| TV | FS1 |
Expect Tame Poland-Saudi Arabia Match
Through 17 World Cup matches so far, 64.7% have finished in favor of “No” on the both teams to score bet. The total goal count is hitting under 2.5 more often than not, and weather is having a clear impact on the on-field product.
Saudi Arabia is coming off a 2-1 victory against Argentina in Group C, but take it with a grain of salt. Saudi Arabia was expected to score 0.1 goals and mustered only 30% possession. The same offensive miracle will not happen again.
The Green Falcons are extremely organized defensively, which could stunt Poland. In the past 27 matches across all competitions, the “both teams to score” play has hit only 25.9% of the time.
Poland will obviously be pushing for goals in this one as its battle for qualification with Mexico could come down to goal differential. Yet both teams to score has not hit in each of its past five matches. This is a trending play to fade in the World Cup and has value at -120.
Final Poland-Saudi Arabia Pick: No on both teams to score (-120, DraftKings)
World Cup Odds: France-Denmark Odds
| France Moneyline | -130 |
| Denmark Moneyline | +390 |
| Draw Moneyline | +270 |
| Over/Under 2.5 Total Goals | Over: +105, Under: -130 |
| Location | Stadium 974, Doha, Qatar |
| Time | 11 AM ET |
| TV | FOX |
Denmark Lacks Threatening Attackers
The only reason this moneyline is not more in favor of France is that Denmark defeated it twice in the Nations League this summer. France needed a wakeup call against Australia in Matchday 1 n Group D but dismantled it afterward, winning by a three-goal margin.
Surely there were questions about France, especially in the midfield. But Adrien Rabiot stepped in and was arguably the Man of the Match with 57 passes out of the middle, a goal and an assist. Also, France slightly outperformed its 3.9 expected goals tally, with Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud putting on an offensive clinic in the 4-1 win.
It now faces Denmark, which is lacking clinical attackers. It managed 1.4 expected goals against Tunisia, put five shots on target and still failed to score in a draw. There are real questions about Kasper Dolberg and Andreas Skov Olsen up top against a powerful French back line. In a major tournament, have no doubts about backing the defending champions to go on and win their group.
Final France-Denmark Pick: France Moneyline (-130, DraftKings)
World Cup Odds: Argentina-Mexico Odds
| Argentina Moneyline | -180 |
| Mexico Moneyline | +550 |
| Draw Moneyline | +360 |
| Over/Under 2.5 Total Goals | Over: -110, Under: -115 |
| Location | Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar |
| Time | 2 PM ET |
| TV | FOX |
Messi to Pick Out Another World Cup Goal
Ride with Messi to score for Argentina anytime against Mexico, a play that has odds of +125. In five matches against Mexico, Messi has three goals and two assists, with the last breakthrough coming in a 2015 international friendly.
The PSG forward scored in Matchday 1 against Saudi Arabia in Group C and was the best Argentina player by quite a distance. Not only did he convert his penalty, he put two other shots on target and got 65 touches, which should be enough for Argentina to win.
The knockout stages will be on Messi’s mind here, and Mexico is unfortunately on the receiving end. If willing to be risky, look into the over 2.5 goals market (-105, DraftKings). Though uncommon at Qatar 2022, this has hit in the past five Argentina matches and 71% of the time Argentina and Mexico square off.
Final Argentina-Mexico Pick: Messi to score anytime (+125, DraftKings)
