Football Multi Bet: $8.04 Tip for Thursday

I’ve gone with Thursday’s final World Cup warm-up friendlies for this football multi bet. Portugal and England are both in action before the tournament kicks off, and I’m backing them to do the business. Combined odds just above $8.00 – two lopsided fixtures give this multi a solid base.

Thursday June 11, 6:45am NZT, Estadio Dr. Magalhaes Pessoa, Leiria

Portugal have been ruthless in friendlies this year, beating Chile 2-1 last Saturday and putting two past the USA back in March. Cristiano Ronaldo is in the squad and hungry for goals ahead of what could be his final World Cup.

Nigeria are a decent side – Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman offer real threat up front – but they drew 2-2 with Poland last week and haven’t beaten a top-10 European side in years.
 
I’ve compared betting apps in NZ and Portugal are around $1.30 here. Short odds, but it’s the safest leg in this multi by far.

Thursday June 11, 6:45am NZT, Estadio Dr. Magalhaes Pessoa, Leiria

This is where I’m looking for value. Portugal have scored in their last two friendlies and Nigeria themselves have averaged close to two goals per game across their warm-ups. The only previous meeting between these sides finished 4-0 to Portugal in Lisbon ahead of the 2022 World Cup.

I don’t expect a repeat of that scoreline, but three goals feels very reachable when both sides need game time before the summer. Nigeria have scored in every warm-up this year and I don’t expect a cautious approach from them in Leiria. 

Over 2.5 at $2.25 on live betting sites is fair, and I’m comfortable with it.

Thursday June 11, 8:00am NZT, Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando

This is the leg I feel strongest about. Costa Rica didn’t qualify for the World Cup and have named a young squad under new coach Fernando Batista – only five players in this group have 20 or more caps. They’ve failed to score in four of their last six games and were hammered 5-0 by Iran in March.

England get Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice back after both missed Saturday’s 1-0 win over New Zealand following the Champions League final. Thomas Tuchel will want to test his strongest side before the World Cup opener against Croatia on June 17.

I can’t see Costa Rica threatening here. England win to nil at $2.75 on sports betting sites is my favourite leg of this multi. The over 2.5 in Leiria is the riskier call – Roberto Martinez could rotate at halftime and the game might lose pace. But with Ronaldo on the pitch, I doubt it goes quiet.