2018 FIFA World Cup Betting Preview: Day 14 (June 27)

On Wednesday, the 2018 World Cup will feature the final round robin matches in Groups E and F. South Korea and Germany square off at the same time as Mexico and Sweden to round off Group F, and then Serbia takes on Brazil, while Costa Rica and Switzerland finish up the action in Group E. Mexico leads Group F and is guaranteed to advance with a draw against Sweden, while Germany and Sweden are deadlocked at three points apiece, with South Korea needing all sorts of help, having amassed no points in group play. If Sweden and Germany both win, their fates would come down to tiebreakers, starting with goal differential. In Group E, Brazil and Switzerland each have four points, and Serbia has three, while Costa Rica has been eliminated, with no points. Take a look at the World Cup betting odds, television and live streaming information, and our predictions for each match.

2018 FIFA World Cup Betting Preview: Day 14 (June 27)

🚲🇩🇪 Practising for Wednesday, @esmuellert_?#DieMannschaft #ZSMMN #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/qloaPGHotk

— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) June 25, 2018

Group F: South Korea vs Germany (5:00pm local time, 10:00am Eastern time, FS1/fuboTV)

World Cup Betting Odds: Germany -497 / Draw +682 / South Korea +1605 / O/U 3 Things looked grim for Die Mannschaft in their match against Sweden, as they looked headed for a draw, but then another one of those extra time tallies went home, as Toni Kroos converted on a set piece to deliver the 2-1 win, completing a comeback from an early 1-0 lead for the Swedes. Germany had possessed for 71 percent of the match but could not finish. Look for the Germans to pour on the offense early, build a safe lead, and then clamp down on defense. I see a 2-0 win for Germany, so I’m taking the “under” here, given the low value on the moneyline.

Group F: Mexico vs Sweden (7:00pm local time, 10:00am Eastern time, FOX/fuboTV)

World Cup Betting Odds: Mexico +148 / Draw +232 / Sweden +198 / O/U 2.5 Mexico doesn’t need to do more than draw against Sweden, but they will be playing against a team that must win to qualify. There is a lot of talent on the Swedish side, but they will need to push forward more aggressively than they are wont to do, as their grinding style will likely not be enough to get enough offense against a Mexico side that will not be looking for offense except on the counter. Sweden had a ton of chances against Germany but didn’t finish enough of them to pull off the win. Mexico has a vested interest in getting that point and winning the group so that they should push forward, but I’m going to take the desperation of Sweden leading to a 2-1 win.

Group E: Serbia vs Brazil (9:00pm local time, 2:00pm Eastern time, FOX/fuboTV)

World Cup Betting Odds: Serbia +818 / Draw +378 / Brazil -270 / O/U 2.5 Serbia looked a lot more at ease in the group until that last-minute goal that Switzerland put up in their match last week. They have talent at striker and in the midfield, but they have not played a team on par with Brazil. I’m worried that losing in the waning seconds of regulation has shaken Serbia’s confidence, and now they face a team that has won five World Cups in their history. Brazil, though, needed extra time just to find the back of the net against Costa Rica. While Brazil has plenty of talent, they haven’t done much against Switzerland and Costa Rica. I think Brazil wins, but then I think they lock things down with a 1-0 win, so I’m taking the “under.”

Group E: Switzerland vs Costa Rica (9:00pm local time, 2:00pm Eastern time, FS1/fuboTV)

World Cup Betting Odds: Switzerland -121 / Draw +252 / Costa Rica +366 / O/U 2.5 As we saw with Morocco’s spirited play against Spain and in Saudi Arabia’s play against Egypt, teams that have played poorly in their first two group play matches often rise up with fire in the last match, and this is a Costa Rica team that had Brazil in a scoreless draw until extra time. Switzerland, though, comes in on the momentum of a comeback win against Serbia, in a game in which they won the battle of possession 58-42 and outshot Serbia 20-12 (5-3 on target). I see that match against Brazil as Costa Rica’s statement game, and I like the Swiss to control matters and win, 2-0.