⚽ World Cup Predictions: Best Bets & Prop Picks for Monday, June 15

Today's World Cup schedule opens with another blowout in the making as Spain "welcomes" debutante Cabo Verde to the world stage. We then have the crown jewel of the slate with Belgium and Egypt, the tournament opener for Saudi Arabia and Uruguay, and we close out with Iran and New Zealand.

My best World Cup predictions for Monday highlight plays across all four games as I look to continue my strong start to my daily predictions pieces that have lined your pockets with 2.46 units through two days. It's been a good start for our World Cup predictions.

⚽ World Cup predictions today: June 15

See all of our experts' World Cup picks based on the latest World Cup odds and favorites 

Total wagered: 3.5 units | Max profit: 3.24 units

💰 Best World Cup prediction today

Spain to win both halves (-150) vs. Cabo Verde

This is going to be a rude awakening for Cabo Verde on the world stage, facing the odds-on favorite to win the entire tournament. Spain has some injury concerns, and we're not likely to see a full 90 out of some key players like Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams. I don't think that matters. There is still an enormous gap between the Spanish bench and the Cabo Verde starters.

Spain will create overloads and stretch what should be a back five for the debutant, and will have the tempo to keep up all game.

Kickoff time:
Spain vs. Cabo Verde odds: Spain (-1400) | Draw (+1300) | Away (+3000)
How to watch: FOX / Telemundo / Peacock

🔥 More World Cup predictions for Monday

Belgium vs. Egypt - both teams to score: yes (-106) 

Belgium has repeatedly shown that it can be punished via counterattacks, suffering from transitional defensive leaks. Egypt is likely to spend the game trying to stifle Belgium with a mid-block, but they will find chances to spring Mo Salah and Omar Marmoush. Salah needs just one opportunity to make this happen, and Egypt certainly has the tools to get him a couple of those.

I'm going to get to Belgium scoring 2+ in my next bet, so that's a solid sign I expect them to do their bit for this bet.

Belgium Over 1.5 goals vs. Egypt (-138) & Romelu Lukaku anytime goalscorer (+130)

It might no longer be the "Golden Generation" in Belgium, but this team is still quite loaded with attacking threats. Kevin De Bruyne remains a world-class playmaker, more than capable of finding pockets in Egypt's 4-2-3-1 setup. Romelu Lukaku will keep Egypt's backline honest, and Jeremy Doku's pace will be beneficial for stretching it wide. Belgium should hit this number based on volume, and I'm shocked to find it at less than -150.

I like Lukaku in particular here to be the beneficiary of KDBs setups, a combo that has linked up for 13 international goals already. Belgium will funnel through the middle after Doku drags defenders wide, and Lukaku will get the job done.

Kickoff time: 3 p.m. ET
Belgium vs. Egypt odds: Belgium (-175) | Draw (+300) | Egypt (+425) 
How to watch: FOX / Telemundo / Peacock

Uruguay to win to nil (+100) and Uruguay to win & Under 2.5 goals (+200)

I'm throwing in for both of these tickets, treating the "win to nil (+100)" as the profit play and the "Under 2.5" (+200) leg as a small boost.

Uruguay sets up defensively as a near-perfect foil for Saudi Arabia, with their high press suffocating teams that lack the quality in the buildup. Rodrigo Bentancur, Federico Valverde, and Manuel Ugarte will outwork the Saudi side, winning the ball at such a pace that Saudi Arabia will struggle to retain possession throughout the game.

But one thing Uruguay doesn't do with all of its possession is score a whole lot. The South American side's high-press is not high-scoring, This should be a slow game, dominant possession, and likely ends with a 1-0 or 2-0 scoreline.

Kickoff time: 6 p.m. ET
Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay odds: Saudi Arabia (+700) | Draw (+330) | Uruguay (-220)
How to watch: FS1 / Telemundo / Peacock

Iran moneyline (-120) vs. New Zealand

The nightcap of today's World Cup slate should help you doze off if you're not already there, I promise. Iran has a far superior technical side, will dominate possession, and try to feed world-class Taremi the ball in good spots to break down a stout New Zealand side. 

I expect New Zealand to be entirely reactionary, playing a compact, physical game. Their best chance of getting on the board comes via aerial balls to Chris Wood, and very little else. But it's not like Iran's defense is a slouch, and those chances should be quite limited. 

This line is a lot shorter than it would have been had it not been for the Iranian travel concerns and fitness questions. I think those issues are being overstated, at least when it comes to a game against New Zealand.

Kickoff time: 9 p.m. ET
Iran vs. New Zealand odds: Iran (-125) | Draw (+250) | New Zealand (+400)
How to watch: FS1 / Telemundo / Peacock