This is the last day of the group stages at the World Cup in Qatar. The situation in groups G and H is interesting, with two teams securing a place in the knockout stage, while the other six still have the chance to reach the same.
Stay tuned with BetXchange to see the previews for the last four group-stage games.
Serbia VS Switzerland
Whoever wins this game goes to the knockout stage as the second-placed unit, regardless of the outcome of the Cameroon vs. Brazil event. Switzerland can also advance with a draw, but Brazil needs to stay unbeaten against the African unit.
Serbia played 3-3 against Cameroon in the opening game, oscillating a lot, and showing both sides of their face. This team has tremendous offensive potential, but they simply aren’t consistent enough to become one of the top teams in Europe, and that’s why it happens to them to lose a two-goal edge. Though, we need to add that both of Cameroon’s late goals were pretty close to being offside.
Switzerland won against Cameroon, 1-0, and then lost to Brazil with the same result. This is a hard-working unit, a very compact one, where each player knows his position and role on the pitch. Another very important thing considering the Swiss team is that they play together for a long time, and understand one another pretty well.
The two sides have a history, with the Swiss eliminating the Serbs, beating them 2-1, after a very controversial officiating from Felix Brych. This is a chance for the Serb to hit back and get even, and we do believe that Dragan Stojkovic’s unit has the quality to defeat the Swiss side.
Pick: Serbia to win 17/10 at BetXchange
Cameroon VS Brazil
The Indomitable Lions were better than Switzerland but lost that one, then they got outplayed by Serbia, yet squeezed out a point. Now have to take three points against Brazil and wait to hear a positive result from the game between Serbia and Switzerland to advance to the next stage. The African team is very offensive-minded and likes to attack and dominate the pitch. They allow goals but frequently score as well.
Brazil is in the knockout stage, but there is a slight chance for them to be second in case they suffer a loss to Cameroon, and Switzerland defeats Serbia by a high margin. Though, these chances are theoretical. Neymar won’t play because he picked up an injury against Serbia, and probably a few other starters will stay on the bench.
Even though many believe that Selecao won’t play 100%, our perception is that Tite won’t play with the team’s reputation and that Selecao is going to win this one.
Pick: Brazil to win 1/2 at BetXchange
South Korea VS Portugal
Korea needs three points and then makes all sorts of calculations in accordance with the result of the Ghana vs. Uruguay matchup. Korea plays good and interesting football, trying to score all the time, but without too much creativity in the midfield, which is a big problem.
On the other hand, Portugal is very dangerous, with several players able to score, Ronaldo, Bruno, Felix, Leao etc. They won’t all play in this event, because Fernando Santos wants to rest some of them and prepare them for the knockout stage.
This game will be efficient and with goals on both ends, because Portugal won’t defend, and Korea has to be very aggressive.
Pick: Both teams to score 9/10 at BetXchange
Ghana VS Uruguay
Ghanaians want to revenge for the 2010 quarterfinals and Luis Suarez’s hand. The Africans are in a better position and they are suitable with a draw here, while Uruguay needs to win. That will be hard because they didn’t score a goal so far, while on the other hand, Ghana netted five times, winning 3-2 against Korea and losing with the same result to Portugal.
Uruguay is the biggest bust in Qatar right now. They are pale, flat, and without creativity. Instead of seeing them attack the top spot in the group, they are hammered to the bottom of the same.
Though, they have no options but to attack today, and that will lead to high efficiency. Therefore, the best pick for this clash is for both teams to score.