That's it! Just two games are left in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, which was full of surprises, drama and excellent opportunities when it comes down to betting. The Final and the game for the Bronze medal will close out the tournament for another four years. But there is still plenty of action during the last two outings. The Golden Boot is still up in the air. The Golden Ball and Glove could be anyone's now. And who will lift the actual World Cup? Let's round it off with a bang!
AND THE GOLDEN BOOT GOES TO... With both leading scorers not guaranteed to start the Third-place playoff, the top scorer of the 2018 FIFA World Cup is as good as known. HARRY KANE (ENGLAND) 6 GOALS (-2000 to win the Golden Boot) Harry Kane hasn't found the back of the net since netting a penalty (his third of the tournament) in the Round of 16 clash against Colombia. He hasn't seemed fully fit in the past few games for England and is likely to miss the starting line-up against Belgium. Still, he should bag the Golden Boot regardless, as Romelu Lukaku could start from the bench for Belgium as well and is unlikely to net a hat trick in a Third-place playoff. ROMELU LUKAKU (BELGIUM) 4 GOALS (+2000) Had Romelu Lukaku scored just a single goal in the Semi-final against France, he would definitely be a good pick here. But despite netting 17 times in his last 14 appearances for the Red Devils, the towering striker is not a realistic pick to bank a hat trick against England. Two goals would do as well, but it is not guaranteed that he even starts the game from the off. It is NOT the FINAL! ANTOINE GRIEZMANN (FRANCE) 3 GOALS (+4000) Antoine Griezmann won the Golden Boot two years ago at the UEFA Euro 2016 tournament with a tally of six goals. He currently leads France with 19 attempts and is only second behind Neymar with most shots on goal (9) during the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He does, however, need a hat trick against Croatia to catch Harry Kane. And no one has scored three times in a World Cup Final since Geoff Hurst (England) did so versus West Germany in 1966. KYLIAN MBAPPE (FRANCE) 3 GOALS (+6600) Just like his teammate Griezmann, 19-year-old Kylien Mbappe faces the same problem regarding the Golden Boot. He needs to score a hat trick in the Final of the World Cup. The Paris-Saint-Germain forward found the back of the net on 21 occasions for his club team this season and has been a revelation during the current tournament as well. But he will be facing a Croatia defense, that has allowed three goals in a game just once since the end of the previous World Cup four years ago. GOLDEN BALL FOR THE BEST OF THE BEST With France and Croatia meeting up in the Final of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the identity of the Best Player is still not quite 100% set. KYLIAN MBAPPE (FRANCE) (-125) Kylien Mbappe has been the bookies' favorite to win the Golden Ball since his stunning two-goal performance against Argentina in the Round of 16. Although he hasn't scored since, the 19-year-old has been a constant threat to the opposing defenses, showing tremendous speed and some nifty moves along the way. No teenager, though, has ever won the Golden Ball before. It is hard to imagine that happening this time. LUKA MODRIC (CROATIA) (+200) So far, Croatia has enjoyed its best ever World Cup campaign, and captain Luka Modric has been the backbone behind it. The 32-year-old captain has scored two goals, provided an assist, created 16 scoring chances and - most importantly! - been an inspirational figure for his teammates, who will consider themselves winners even if they lose in the Final. ANTOINE GRIEZMANN (FRANCE) (+1000) After the success Antoine Griezmann had throughout the European championship two years ago, he was definitely tipped to be one of the key players to shine during the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The 27-year-old forward, though, hasn't really been as prominent as everyone expected, so unless he scores the winner in the Final, don't expect Griezmann to lift the Golden Ball. N'GOLO KANTE (FRANCE) (+1600) Mbappe and Griezmann might be considered the favorites to win the award for the Best Player of the Tournament from the French team, but it is N'Golo Kante who actually SHOULD receive it. With tremendous work rate and undeniable influence in the middle of the park, he has been the unsung hero of Les Bleus midfield, averaging a team-high 3.2 interceptions per game, 2.3 tackles and 89.6% passing accuracy. PAUL POGBA (FRANCE) (+2500) Playing alongside Kante in the midfield, Paul Pogba has adapted to France's current system with ease and conviction. He hasn't gone forward as much, but his defensive work, when called upon, has been exceptional. In the French squad, he has drawn the most fouls (14), has created the most scoring chances among players with at least two starts (1.6 per contest) and is only second to Raphael Varane in most aerial battles won per game (3.8). BEST BET: HARRY KANE (-2000) BEST BET: LUKA MODRIC (+200)
HUGO LLORIS (FRANCE) (-200) The very last three winners of the Golden Glove have all been the goalies of teams that lifted the World Cup, so Hugo Lloris definitely stands a good chance of bagging it. And although the 31-year-old keeper hasn't had a particularly memorable campaign (11 saves, 73.3% save rate), his game-winning stops against Uruguay (in the Quarter-final) and versus Belgium (in the Semi) indeed were astonishing! DANIJEL SUBASIC (CROATIA) (+200) If Croatia somehow manage to win their first ever World Cup, there is no question about it - Danijel Subasic will get the Golden Glove. He has been excellent in the net for the Vatreni, stopping a total of 12 shots, registering a 75.0% save rate and winning two penalty shootouts in a row, with a save on a shot by Harry Kane (England) in the Semi-final proving crucial in his team reaching the Final. JORDAN PICKFORD (ENGLAND) (+1000) One of the reasons England managed to go as far as it did during the 2018 FIFA World Cup was definitely Jordan Pickford. While the team's offensive line provided the goods in the group stage, the 24-year-old keeper stood out in the knockout stages, making some incredible saves, while also winning a penalty shootout against Colombia. THIBAUT COURTOIS (BELGIUM) (+2200) Out of all goalies, still left in the competition, Thibaut Courtois has made the most saves (22) and has recorded the best save rate (78.6%). The problem is - he is not in the Final. And while that is not necessarily the most crucial factor, even Jordan Pickford has been more eye-catching than the 26-year-old Belgian. BEST BET: HUGO LLORIS (-200)
MICHY BATSHUAYI TO SCORE ANYTIME VS. ENGLAND (+120) Both Belgium and England will once again be fielding much-changed teams, with Michy Batshuayi definitely guaranteed a start. He already converted against Tunisia after coming on as a substitute in the group stage, has already banked eight strikes in 19 appearances for the Red Devils and finished his Bundesliga campaign this year with seven markers in 10 games for Borussia Dortmund. DOUBLE - FRANCE TO WIN WORLD CUP/HARRY KANE TO WIN GOLDEN BOOT (-200) With six goals to his name, England captain Harry Kane has the Golden Boot in his pocket. The only question remains - who will prevail in the Final? The determination and hard work of Croatia has so far paid off. But the team will be facing a much more rested France side, which knows how to kill off games. LUKA MODRIC (+200), MARIO MANDZUKIC (+200) AND IVAN PERISIC (+225) - CROATIA TOP GOALSCORERS All three players are currently leading Croatia with two goals each. And while either of them can definitely provide an unexpected offensive outburst, they will be facing a side, which has already kept four clean sheets during the 2018 FIFA World Cup. If France posts another shutout, all three will be the top goalscorers for Croatia. Perfect! BELGIUM CLEAN SHEET VS. ENGLAND (+240) Harry Kane is unlikely to feature in the Third-place playoff against Belgium, and the Three Lions already looked quite bland without him versus the Red Devils in the group stage. There is much more at stake this time around (Bronze medal). But the odds are just too good to turn this one down. CROATIA TO RECEIVE THE FIRST YELLOW CARD VS. FRANCE (-160) Having committed the most fouls during the current tournament (101), Croatia is definitely the most realistic team to get the first booking in the final against France. Twelve different Vatreni players have already seen at least one yellow card, with Ante Rebic and Mario Mandzukic leading the team with a couple each.
No Final For Belgium SATURDAY, 14 JULY, 2018-9:00 AM ET SAINT PETERSBURG STADIUM, ST. PETERSBURG A SEMI-FINAL HEARTBREAK CAN STILL RESULT IN A BRONZE MEDAL, AS BELGIUM (3RD IN FIFA WORLD RANKINGS) AND ENGLAND (12TH IN THE WORLD) FACE OFF AGAINST EACH OTHER IN THE THIRD-PLACE PLAY-OFF Belgium's unbeaten run of 24 games (W19 D5), stretching back to September 2016, came to a heartbreaking end after France managed to beat the team with a count of 1-0 in the Semi-final of the 2018 FIFA World Cup at Saint Petersburg Stadium in St. Petersburg on Tuesday. Eden Hazard (Chelsea) had a tremendous shot blocked in the first half, while Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham Hotspur) had an excellent chance to convert on a turn. And while goalie Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea) saved the team from conceding in the opening period with a fantastic leg-save on Benjamin Pavard, he was helpless against Samuel Umtiti on the 50th minute, when Les Blues defender headed home a corner. Mousa Dembele (Tottenham Hotspur) kept the Red Devils in the game after blocking a pointblank shot by Olivier Giroud, and Axel Witsel (Tianjin Quanjian) almost got the equalizer with a stunning longrange effort. Still, while controlling the ball 64% of the time, the Belgians only managed to muster nine shot attempts - 10 less than France did while playing with a defensive mindset. Romelu Lukaku (Manchester United), who leads his national side with four strikes during the current tournament and had been an inspirational figure throughout the knockout stages thus far, had a particularly frustrating night after registering just 21 touches on the ball - the lowest amount of any starting player on the pitch. "Football" Is Not "Coming Home" A momentary lapse of focus cost England dearly, as Croatia ended the team's bid to reach its first World Cup Final since 1966, beating the Three Lions 2-1 in extra time at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on Wednesday. Taking part in its first World Cup Semi-final since 1990, when it was beaten on penalties by West Germany, England started the proceedings well. Kieran Trippier (Tottenham Hotspur) opened the scoring just five minutes into the contest with a spectacular free kick David Beckham would be proud of, while Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) and Jesse Lingard (Manchester United) had excellent chances to triple the lead. Still, Croatia managed to bounce back in the second half, netting a 68th-minute equalizer, hitting the post shortly after and burying the winner with 11 minutes remaining in extra time. Despite facing a team, which had to go trough extra time and penalty shootout in its previous two contests, the Three Lions still couldn't capitalize on their firstperiod dominance, ending the game with just 45% of ball possession, being outshot 22-11, managing just two shots on target compared to Croatia's seven. Lingard registered a team-high three attempts. Kane won a game-high 10 aerial battles. Trippier created four scoring chances and delivered seven crosses, while Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur) made 13 clearances. Trippier's goal, meanwhile, was England's ninth strike during the 2018 FIFA World Cup, scored from a set-piece - the most by any team in a single World Cup tournament since 1966. GAME PREDICTION: Both teams already met in the group stage of 2018 FIFA World Cup, with both fielding their B-teams and Belgium grabbing a 1-0 win. Both would have loved to host a proper re-match in the Final. Still, a Bronze medal is something neither teams has managed to bag in the World Cup, with Belgium losing a Semi-final in 1986 against France during extra time, while England, which lifted the World Cup in 1966, lost the 3rd place to Italy in 1990. The Three Lions have won the majority of previous meetings against the Red Devils (W15 D4 L3), but are probably not the best pick here. Belgium lost to France, one of the tournament favorites, in the Semi-final and has had one extra day to recover. England, on the other hand, will still be ruing a missed chance against Croatia, failing to put the game to bed during an excellent first-half performance, and will undoubtedly have more issues with motivation and fitness... BEST BETS: 4BELGIUM TO WIN IN 90 MINUTES (+115) 4BELGIUM TO WIN THE MATCH IN ANY WAY (-160)
Les Bleus Close In On Trophy SUNDAY, 15 JULY, 2018-9:00 AM ET LUZHNIKI STADIUM, MOSCOW HAVING MADE IT TO THE WORLD CUP FINAL FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ITS HISTORY, CROATIA (20TH IN FIFA WORLD RANKINGS) TAKES ON FAVORITES FRANCE (7TH IN THE WORLD), WHO WON THE COMPETITION IN 1998. France reached it's third World Cup Final and booked a chance to bag its second World Cup trophy after edging out Belgium with a modest score of 1-0 at Saint Petersburg Stadium in St. Petersburg on Tuesday. After a scoreless first half, during which Raphael Varane (Real Madrid) blocked a stunning shot by Eden Hazard, goalie Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspur) made a terrific save on a stinger by Toby Alderweireld and Benjamin Pavard (VfB Stuttgart) failed to find the back of the net from close range, defender Samuel Umtiti (Barcelona) became the hero on the 50th minute, heading home a corner-kick delivery by Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid). Griezman has now been involved in 20 goals in his last 20 competitive games for France (12 markers, 8 assists) while playing a crucial part in 13 of the last 20 strikes of Les Bleus in major tournaments (9 goals, 4 assists). He led the team with six shots alongside Olivier Giroud (Chelsea), who almost scored in the second period after a fancy flick from Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain), who created a team-high six scoring chances. Although Les Bleus controlled the ball just 36% of the time, they limited Belgium to just nine shots and three attempts on goal, while delivering 19 shots themselves, finding the target on five occasions. Vatreni Make World Cup History Despite having played the most minutes than any other team during the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Croatia still managed to find the strength and mental toughness to beat England with a score of 2-1 in extra time at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on Wednesday, thus booking its first ever appearances in the Final of soccer's biggest international tournament. The Vatreni played 30 minutes of extra time and eventually won on penalties against both Denmark (in the Round of 16) and Russia (in the Quarter-finals), and were visibly outplayed by the Three Lions in the first half, giving up a freekick goal just five minutes into the contest, with England having two more scoring chances. The second period, though, was another story, as Croatia came back fighting, with Ivan Perisic (Inter Milan) netting the equalizer on the 68th minute and hitting the post just moments later. The pressure from the Croats continued in the extra time, resulting in Mario Mandzukic (Juventus) taking advantage of a momentary loss of concentration among the English defenders to strike the winner with 11 minutes remaining in the bonus session. It was Mandukic's second goal during the current tournament and his 32nd for his national side, leaving him just 13 goals away from matching Davor Suker's Croatia all-time scoring record of 45 markers. Perisic, with his goal and assist on the winning strike, meanwhile, has now been involved in 10 goals at major tournaments for Croatia (6 goals, 4 assists) - the joint-most, alongside Suker (9 goals, 1 assist). GAME PREDICTION: Not many would argue that neither team had a particularly impressive run during the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Croatia relied on two penalty shootouts to get to the Semi-final, while France seemed subdued throughout the whole tournament. Still, the Vatreni managed to step up when it mattered the most, while Les Bleus, despite seeming overly defensive, still have been extremely efficient. This effectiveness of France's potential and execution is definitely not bringing any good news for the Croats, who have already played three extra 30 minutes in a row and will undoubtedly be in a worse physical state than the French, who have never lost to Croatia before (W3 D2). BEST BETS: 4FRANCE TO WIN IN 90 MINUTES (-110) 4FRANCE CLEAN SHEET (-110) 4FRANCE TO WIN WITH A CORRECT SCORE OF 1-0 (+315) OR 2-0 (+500)