Monday\u2019s World Cup action doesn\u2019t have any obvious marquee matches. Spain, Belgium and Uruguay are set to play and are all solidly favored. That does mean there are three chances for surprise upsets. Will we see any?<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s look at Monday\u2019s four matches and the odds associated with them before making betting picks.<\/p>\n
Spain vs. Cape Verde (Group H)<\/p>\n
Time: Noon ET<\/p>\n
TV: Fox (English), Telemundo (Spanish)<\/p>\n
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta<\/p>\n
Germany-Cura\u00e7ao was the first edition of \u201cWorld Cup-winning power vs. debutante\u201d at this tournament, but it\u2019s not the last. The Caribbean nation provided a memorable moment with a goal against the Germans that tied the match before losing 7-1. Can Cape Verde provide its own special moment?<\/p>\n
Spain is the favorite to win the tournament after winning Euro 2024. Cape Verde is a country of around half a million people that consists of 10 islands off the western coast of continental Africa. Most of the roster was born outside the country.<\/p>\n
Cape Verde qualified by winning a group that included African powers Cameroon, so this team is no slouch. It\u2019s also no Spain. The odds favor Spain to win by more than two goals. This isn\u2019t quite as lopsided as Germany-Cura\u00e7ao, at least on paper, but Spain is expected to easily win.<\/p>\n
Spain star Lamine Yamal has been coming back from a hamstring injury and could be available based on recent reports, although the 18-year-old may not be necessary for this match.<\/p>\n
Belgium vs. Egypt (Group G)<\/p>\n
Time: 3 p.m. ET<\/p>\n
TV: Fox (English), Telemundo (Spanish)<\/p>\n
Venue: Lumen Field, Seattle<\/p>\n
On paper, this is probably the best match of the day. Belgium doesn\u2019t have the expectations of its golden generation era of the past few major tournaments, but still has talented players. Egypt has one of the most famous players on the planet in Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah.<\/p>\n
Kevin De Bruyne might be past his prime at 34 years old, but players that good can still contribute at a high level even after their prime years are past them. Romelu Lukaku, Axel Witsel and Thibaut Courtois are also holdovers from Belgium\u2019s run to top-ranked team in the world as recently as 2022. Manchester City winger J\u00e9r\u00e9my Doku, one of the best dribblers in the world, represents the new era.<\/p>\n
Salah and Manchester City\u2019s Omar Marmoush lead an Egypt team that is mostly built from its domestic league. Only six players on the squad play in Europe.<\/p>\n
These are the top two teams in Group G according to the odds, so this match is expected to decide the group winner.<\/p>\n
Uruguay vs. Saudi Arabia (Group H)<\/p>\n
Time: 6 p.m. ET<\/p>\n
TV: FS1 (English), Telemundo (Spanish)<\/p>\n
Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla.<\/p>\n
Saudi Arabia is opening up its tournament against a South American country that has won multiple World Cups in its history. Where have we seen this one before?<\/p>\n
Saudi Arabia\u2019s famous win against Argentina in 2022 was the shock of that tournament. Argentina went on to lift the trophy, and Saudi Arabia lost its next two matches to go out in the group stage.<\/p>\n
Uruguay isn\u2019t as favored in this match as Argentina was in that one, but it would still be a surprise to see the Saudis get a result in this match.<\/p>\n
Iran vs. New Zealand (Group G)<\/p>\n
Time: 9 p.m. ET<\/p>\n
TV: FS1 (English), Telemundo (Spanish)<\/p>\n
Venue: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, Calif.<\/p>\n
This match doesn\u2019t have the big-name teams or players as the other three, but it is the most balanced in the odds. Even then, Iran is -120 (nearly 55 percent) to win.<\/p>\n
New Zealand hasn\u2019t won a World Cup match in six tries, with three losses in 1982 and bizarrely draws in all three matches in 2010.<\/p>\n