Canada was one of the most excited nations for betting on the World Cup action. Their Canadian national team is making a rare appearance that their homeland hopes will be the start of regular looks. On Wednesday, the Canadian team will face Morocco in a test of who really belongs in the tournament. By contrast, the marquee matchup of the day is Croatia and Belgium. Both teams were upstarts in the 2018 World Cup but lost the surprise element in 2022. And then Spain faces a dangerous Japanese team that stunned Germany in their first game.
2022 World Cup – Top Games on Wednesday, December 1, 2022
Canada vs. Morocco Betting Information
| Date and Time: | Thursday, December 1, 2022, 10 a.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Al Thumama Stadium |
| 2022 FIFA World Cup TV Coverage: | FS1 |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morocco | PK,-½ (-125) | 2½ (+105) | +110 |  |
| Canada | PK,+½ (+105) | 2½ (-125) | +255 | |
| Draw | – | – | +245 | |
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Of great concern is that Canada is already eliminated from being able to advance to the Knockout stage. Canada suffered a 1-0 sportsbook odds loss to Belgium in its opener. Next came a 4-1 loss to Croatia. Morocco played Croatia to a scoreless draw in its opener. Next came a 2-0 win over Belgium.
Croatia vs. Belgium World Cup Betting Information
| Date and Time: | Thursday, December 1, 2022, 10 a.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Ahmed bin Ali Stadium |
| 2022 FIFA World Cup TV Coverage: | FOX |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium | PK (-115) | 2½ (EV) | +161 | |
| Croatia | PK (-105) | 2½ (-120) | +173 | |
| Draw | – | – | +241 | |
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First game action saw Croatia play Morocco to a 0-0 World Cup Betting draw. Next came a 4-1 win over Canada. Belgium won its opening game 1-0 over Canada. Following that was a 0-2 loss to Morocco.
Japan vs. Spain Betting Information
| Date and Time: | Thursday, December 1, 2022, 2 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Khalifa International Stadium |
| 2022 FIFA World Cup TV Coverage: | FOX |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | -1,-1½ (-115) | 2½,3 (-110) | -241 | |
| Japan | +1,+1½ (-105) | 2½,3 (-110) | +678 | |
| Draw | – | – | ||
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First game action saw Japan stun the Bet the World Cup bettors with a 2-1 win over Germany. Japan suffered a 1-0 letdown loss to Costa Rica in its next game. Spain ran Costa Rica off the field in a 7-0 win in its opener. Next came a 1-1 draw against Germany.
Spain coach Luis Enrique believes in Attacking and pressing. Accordingly, he considers these the three key elements of a playing style that he won’t compromise. Playing out from the goalkeeper is a 4-3-3 formation. Yet Enrique is willing to adapt, width, possession with passing that accepts the risks, and dribbling.
Luis Enrique is at the heart of Spain’s World Cup betting success. He is an immensely demanding, vigorous, and visionary coach. At the onset, he requires intensity and implements a play style that all his players have bought into. Spain is a united team with its coach.
Of great concern is that Spain lacks the depth of character to match the era of three consecutive tournament wins from 2008 to 2012. So that leaves areas where there are minor weaknesses. However, the key flaw is the lack of one absolute stone-cold finisher. Or a collection of players guaranteed to yield goals against banked defenses.
Certainly, Spain has candidates such as Borja Iglesias, Ferran Torres, Alvaro Morata, and Ansu Fati. But finding the right man in the right form has been elusive. Also, supplying them with the kind of key passes which once flowed from Xavi and Andres Iniesta is a challenge.
Despite starting the tournament at age 19, Pedri is a special, potentially dominant player. Pedri brings vision, technique, timing, temperament, and temp. In sum, these things flow from the midfielder. In turn, Euro 2020 proved that he loves the pressure and demands of a major international tournament. The Barcelona star is wrapping up the domestic part of this year looking a little jaded. But with a different supporting cast and tactics on the national team. Pedri has everything to be Spain’s most influential player.
