Football Multi Bet: $7.26 Tip for Wednesday

Four World Cup group openers on Wednesday, all with short-priced favourites. I’ve gone for two handicap picks and a goals play to get some actual value from a day where the outright results don’t pay enough for a football multi bet. Combined odds: $7.26.

Wednesday June 17, 7:00am NZT, MetLife Stadium

Both teams have scored in six of France’s last seven games. I’m not interested in backing France to win at $1.50 for this multi - over 2.5 goals is the smarter angle.

France scored 16 in six qualifiers. Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele are the obvious weapons, but Michael Olise had a 34 goal-involvement season at Bayern Munich. Senegal conceded three to the USA in a May 31 friendly and drew 0-0 with Saudi Arabia in their final warm-up before the tournament. France’s attack is far more dangerous than either of those opponents, and if Pape Thiaw’s side go down first, they’ll have to chase.

Most football betting tips on this game point toward a French win. I’d rather take the goals market at $2.00.

Wednesday June 17, 10:00am NZT, Gillette Stadium

Norway went through European qualifying with a perfect record. 37 goals across the campaign, with Erling Haaland scoring 16 of them and Martin Odegaard adding seven assists. They put four past Italy at the San Siro in their final qualifier.

Iraq are at a World Cup for the first time since 1986. Graham Arnold got them through the intercontinental playoff against Bolivia - a 2-1 win in Monterrey - and getting here took some doing. But I don’t see this being close.

Norway to win pays about $1.22, which is useless for a multi. On new betting sites you’ll find Norway -1.5 at $1.65, and I’m backing them to cover it.

Wednesday June 17, 1:00pm NZT, Arrowhead Stadium

Defending champions Argentina should be handling Algeria here. My question is by how much.

Lionel Messi is 38, but the squad around him is deep. Julian Alvarez and Enzo Fernandez lead a group full of European-based talent, and Lionel Scaloni’s side have won seven straight coming into the tournament. 

Algeria aren’t just here for the experience - Mohamed Amoura scored 10 goals in African qualifying, and they beat the Netherlands 1-0 in Rotterdam before the tournament. But 2014 was their last World Cup, and performing against the world champions at Arrowhead is a different test entirely.

I’m not certain Argentina will blow them away - that’s my hedge. But -1.5 at $2.20 on legal betting sites is where I’ve put my money.