World Cup prediction markets are being subjected to heavy interest and varying opinions ahead of the final day of action in the Group Stage.
The Knockout portion of the competition will be determined in less than 24 hours. Saturday’s six-match schedule represents the final opportunity for teams to either sneak into the single-elimination bracket or to fade away into another summer of irrelevance.
As the teams prepare to take the field all across the USA, we compiled our best World Cup predictions and prediction market picks. Let’s jump straight into the matches.
World Cup Prediction Market picks
Croatia vs. Ghana Prediction
Croatia needs one point to hit the magic number of four after it fell to England, 4-2, and beat Panama, 1-0. This team is built around defensive solidarity and combinations in the midfield, but its attacking momentum can be erratic.
Ghana frustrated England to a 0-0 draw in its last time on the field and beat Panama the game before, 1-0, meaning it is already in the Knockout. The African country showed impressive versatility to morph from the stronger attacking side in its first match to defending out of possession with a low block in the second, effectively showing its ability to adapt to its opponent.
Both teams are good, but nothing better. Croatia needs the points more, but it also only needs one point to hit four — a number that is usually enough to push teams into the Knockout.
Trade Handle prediction: Ghana not to win ($.82 at Kalshi)
Croatia vs. Ghana: How to Watch
Kickoff: 5:00 p.m. ET
TV: FS1, Universo, FOX One
Location: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA
Panama vs. England Prediction
Panama’s World Cup dreams are already over after it lost both of its matches, 1-0. The South American side didn’t generate more than 0.73 expected goals in either of its matches and now gets to face the best team in its group.
England was dealt a blow at right back as Reece James is likely to miss the next few matches. But even with that and England having made the Knockout, they are still playing to win the group.
The English were frustrated in their last match, but they should be better for it. They also have significantly more talent than Panama.
Trade Handle prediction: England to win ($.85 at Kalshi)
Panama vs. England: How to Watch
Kickoff: 5:00 p.m. ET
TV: FS1, Universo, FOX One
Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Colombia vs. Portugal Prediction
Colombia is 2-0 in the World Cup with a combined score of 4-1. Their 4-3-3 structure allows them to launch into attack with creativity on the right with James Rodriguez and blistering speed on the left with Luis Diaz.
Portugal, which has four points, is looking for its best result of the tournament on Saturday night. Cristiano Ronaldo silenced his critics with a brace in his last game, although it’s hard to forget how disjointed the Portuguese attack looked in a 1-1 opening draw against DR Congo.
Trade Handle prediction: Portugal to win ($.50 at Kalshi)
Colombia vs. Portugal: How to Watch
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: FS1, Universo, FOX One
Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
Congo DR vs. Uzbekistan Prediction
A win would give Congo DR the magic number of four points. It hasn’t created more than 0.87 expected goals in a match, although it also didn’t allow even one expected goal going the other way, and it has shown connectedness in defense and on the counter.
The Uzbeks are out of the competition and will likely give minutes to non-starters. It can’t get much worse for them, but it’s also difficult to see how it could get much better, given they conceded eight goals and only scored once at the competition.
Trade Handle prediction: Congo DR to win ($.62 at Kalshi)
Congo DR vs. Uzbekistan: How to Watch
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: FS1, Universo, FOX One
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
Algeria vs. Austria Prediction
Algeria got a pair of all-important goals after it had fallen behind against Jordan, resulting in a 2-1 win and three points. This team likes to transition quickly and will press to win the ball back, but it remains to be seen how aggressive it will be, given it only needs a draw to reach four points.
Austria cruised past Jordan, 3-1, but wasn’t on Argentina’s level in a 2-0 loss. The European nation will run all over the field with industrious midfielders and defenders, but they don’t often show cutting-edge creativity that is needed to create goals in unobvious goal-scoring situations.
Trade Handle prediction: Match to end in a draw ($.46 at Kalshi)
Algeria vs. Austria: How to Watch
Kickoff: 10:00 p.m. ET
TV: FS1, Universo, FOX One
Location: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO
Jordan vs. Argentina Prediction
Jordan will not progress to the Knockout in its World Cup debut after a pair of losses and falling behind in a 5-2 aggregate score. This is a team that wants to be compact in defense and frustrate its opponents, but it hasn’t had answers for the creativity or physicality of its opponents.
Argentina already won the group and can heavily rotate its squad, but even in doing so, it will field a better team than Jordan. The defending champions look totally connected, and their backups will still be playing to impress in hopes of earning minutes in the Knockout.
Trade Handle prediction: Argentina to win ($.86 at Kalshi)
Jordan vs. Argentina: How to Watch
Kickoff: 10:00 p.m. ET
TV: FS1, Universo, FOX One
Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX