Football Multi Bet: $11.93 Tip for Saturday

Two World Cup group stage openers fall on Saturday NZT, and I’ve put together a three-leg football multi bet from both fixtures. I’m backing the draw in Toronto at $3.60, then doubling up on the USA vs Paraguay with a match result and a goals market. The combined odds come in just under $12 - decent value for a couple of opening-round World Cup games, especially if you’ve got free bets to put to work.

Saturday June 13, 7:00am NZT, BMO Field, Toronto

I know tipping the draw in a home nation’s opener feels counterintuitive. 

But Bosnia have finished level in five straight matches, including both playoff legs against Wales and Italy that went to penalties. Sergej Barbarez has his side drilled defensively, and they’re almost impossible to beat in normal time.

Canada have Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David, but nine of their last 10 internationals finished with under 2.5 goals. Jesse Marsch’s side drew 0-0 with Tunisia and 1-1 with Ireland in warm-ups. I think the BMO Field crowd gets them close, but Bosnia will absorb pressure and play for the point. 

At $3.60 on NZ betting sites, I’m happy to take that risk here.

Saturday June 13, 1:00pm NZT, SoFi Stadium, Inglewood

Mauricio Pochettino’s squad had a rough March - a 5-2 loss to Belgium and 2-0 defeat to Portugal - but finished with a 3-2 win over Senegal and a tight 2-1 loss to Germany last weekend. Christian Pulisic is looking sharper again, and Folarin Balogun’s form at Monaco this season gives them a real goal threat.

Paraguay are back at a World Cup for the first time since 2010 and they’ve earned it. Gustavo Alfaro took 23 points from 12 qualifiers after his appointment, losing just once. They beat Argentina and Brazil along the way. 

Antonio Sanabria top-scored with four qualifying goals, while Julio Enciso added three from an advanced role. But Enciso was stretchered off in tears against Nicaragua with simultaneous hamstring and quadriceps injuries, and multiple reports have him missing at least two games.

I’m backing the USA at $1.95 and pairing it with under 2.5 goals at $1.70. Alfaro will set up to frustrate even without his best attacker, and Pochettino’s side will be cautious in a home opener. 

Compare these prices across betting apps before kickoff.