The Best Bets: Final games in Group F predicted with tantalising odds
Group F concludes on Wednesday afternoon and all four teams have a chance of progressing to the knockout stage of the 2018 World Cup. Mexico have a 100 per cent record after two matches and are favourites to advance to the round of 16 as winners. Germany, meanwhile, are second but are expected to overcome South Korea and ensure they avoid a humiliating exit.
Argentina left it late to secure their continuation in the 2018 World Cup on Tuesday evening and Germany will be out to ensure they are not the first international heavyweight to wave goodbye to Russia this summer. They have the easier game on paper and will rely on Mexico continuing their fine form to beat Sweden in Group F’s other match.
Team news and odds in our match preview
Mexico have really impressed at the 2018 World Cup and will become the third team to progress to the knockout phase of the competition with a perfect record if they beat Sweden. Juan Carlos Osorio’s side have won their opening two group games by a one-goal margin and a similarly competitive affair is anticipated in Yekaterinburg.
The central American outfit have won nine of their last 16 matches and seven of those victories have come by a one-goal margin. Marathon Bet are offering juicy odds of 4.05 for Mexico to repeat the feat against Sweden on Wednesday, which should be considered.
Germany are expected to overcome South Korea in the group’s other match but the reigning world champions have underwhelmed this summer. A defeat to Mexico was followed up by a dramatic late win over Sweden, in which Toni Kroos scored a sublime free-kick with seconds remaining.
Die Mannschaft have not crashed out of the group stages of a World Cup since 1938 and Kroos’ late strike against Sweden should ensure they preserve that record in Russia this summer.
A feature of this summer’s tournament has been the influence of VAR and the amount of penalties that have been awarded. In fact, there have already been more spot-kicks given in this World Cup (22) than any previous edition.
Team news and odds in our match preview
The use of video technology has aided referees in correcting their mistakes and played a large part in the sudden influx of penalties being awarded this summer. In contrast, there were only 13 spot-kicks awarded in Brazil four years ago.
VAR has become such a huge part of this summer’s tournament that you can now bet on it. In fact, William Hill are offering odds of 3/1 for Germany, who will dominate proceedings against Korea, to be awarded a penalty following a VAR review.
