⚽ World Cup Predictions: Best Bets & Prop Picks for Wednesday, June 17

Group K and Group L get their group play underway today, officially getting one game under the belt for each of the 48 teams. My World Cup predictions for Wednesday break down the entire slate, with four of the world's top 15 teams (and two top-six squads!) in action. 

The day gets underway at 1 p.m. ET with a clash between Portugal and Congo DR, followed immediately by England vs. Croatia at 4 p.m. ET. The evening is packed with Ghana vs. Panama (7 p.m. ET), and we close out with Uzbekistan vs. Colombia (10 p.m. ET). Our World Cup predictions will guide you through it all, continuing to line our pockets after another successful day on Tuesday, and highlighting parlays, props, and outright plays!

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⚽ World Cup predictions today: June 17

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

Total wagered: 3.25 units | Max profit: 3.63 units

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💰 Best World Cup prediction today

England moneyline & Under 4.5 goals (-110)

My favorite play of the day comes from the second game on the slate, as England and Croatia clash in the Group L opener. I view the markets as overweighted on Croatia following successes at the last two World Cups, but England is a hungry, young team that should control the flow of the game against an aging Croatia side.

No doubt there is skill with a midfield led by Luka Modric (40 years old) and Mateo Kovacic, but they won't have the pace and endurance to hang with England's midfielders.

This likely isn't a high-scoring tilt, with experience keeping things in check. England should grind out a 1-0 or 2-1 win. 

Kickoff time: 4 p.m. ET
England vs. Croatia odds: England (-145) | Draw (+275) | Croatia (+425)
How to watch: FOX / Telemundo / Peacock

💵 SBR Edge: Explosive wingers and a world-class finisher

England's real key to unlocking this game will be the runs and vision of its wings, which are loaded with talent - Saka, Rashford, Gordon, Madueke. That group demands defensive respect, which should help open things up for Harry Kane operating in the middle. A wealth of offensive riches for the English side.

Speaking of the England striker, our Philip Wood has broken down his slate with his best Harry Kane props today.

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🔥 More World Cup predictions for Wednesday

Portugal vs. Congo DR Over 2.5 goals (-125)

The first game of the slate gives one of the best midfields in the world, and we should be in for a great show. Imagine the riches of Pedro Neto, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Vitinha, and Joao Neves. Now, with that list in mind, Congo DR is going to have its work cut out trying to control much of the action through the middle of the pitch, and it's going to have a hard time boasting the same sort of defensive numbers that it did during much weaker opposition during CAF qualifying. 

Congo will set up in low block, but I see Silva and Fernandes as having all the skill necessary to unlock that. And I haven't even mentioned Cristiano Ronaldo, who has one of the shortest prices to score of the entire slate. Portugal should be in line to score, but with a -380 price on the moneyline, and even the spread to win by 2+ is longer than this number, we'll side with the ML and the total.

Considering we've seen plenty of "poor" offenses break through for a goal already during the first week of play, it's entirely possible that Congo gets one here. Even if it does, Portugal can do this on its own. 

Kickoff time: 1 p.m. ET
Portugal vs. Congo DR odds: Portugal (-380) | Draw (+475) | Congo DR (+1200)
How to watch: FOX / Telemundo / Peacock

⚽️ More Portugal vs. Congo DR best bets

Our Philip Wood doesn't necessarily see this one playing out the same way as I do and has explained why in his Portugal vs. Congo DR prediction, while our LJ Blut digs into what we can expect from CR7 as he looks to get off to a hot start with his best Cristiano Ronaldo player props

Luka Vuskovic 2+ fouls committed vs. England (+175)

I explained above some of the issues that the England side will present to Croatia, particularly regarding the speed on the wings and the space that will open up for Harry Kane in the middle. Vuskovic has struggled with fouls throughout his domestic career (averaging over 1 foul per 90) and regularly racks up 2+ in many of his starts. 

We're not even sure if the center back will get the nod in the starting XI, but if he does, there's excellent value here on him getting a second foul. It's a pure play on mismatched skill: he's not at the level you need to be at to contain the England attackers, and the price on a single foul is -250 (71.43% implied probability), so let's make a small play on him picking up a second. 

Make sure - like all player props - to play at a 'sub on, play on' operator. That way even if your selection heads to the bench early, his backup can finish up your bet.

Kickoff time: 4 p.m. ET
England vs. Croatia odds: England (-145) | Draw (+275) | Croatia (+425)
How to watch: FOX / Telemundo / Peacock

Ghana vs. Panama Over 3.5 cards (+105)

A few small angles head into this play. First, both of these squads defend as compact, physical units, and that should only be brought even more into focus in what is shaping up to a cagey opener. 

It seems a clash could decide who finishes at the bottom of the group and who finishes third and potentially fight for one of the bonus spots in the knockout rounds. It's a situation where neither side can afford to drop the three points, which could lead to tactical pulling and late challenges in an effort not to give up the upper hand. The betting favorite, Ghana, also brings plenty of speed and agility on the wings, which can result in defenders taking cards in attempts to slow vertical play. 

There's also the referee angle: Glenn Nyberg officiated four WCQ games, with an average of 24.25 fouls/game, four yellow cards/game (and 0.25 reds/game), and 0.5 pens/game. He's not afraid to get the book out.

Jordan Ayew to score or assist (+150) vs. Panama

Ayew has been quiet through the last two games for Ghana, but this is a fantastic price for an integral piece of the African side's offense. During the CAF WCQ, which started in 2023 and spanned 10 games through 2025, the 34-year-old found his way to the scoresheet seven times. 

In those seven games, he recorded seven goals and seven assists, the 14 involvements tied for first in the confederation. He's as likely to be involved as almost anyone in breaking down the Panamanian defense, and this price gets you two paths in: scoring or via the assist. 

Make sure - like all player props - to play at a 'sub on, play on' operator. That way even if your selection heads to the bench early, his backup can finish up your bet.

Kickoff time:  7 p.m. ET
Ghana vs. Panama odds: Ghana (+135) | Draw (+220) | Panama (+225)
How to watch: FS1 / Telemundo / Peacock

Colombia to win by 2+ goals (+116) / Colombia to win & Over 2.5 (+120) / Luis Suarez anytime goalscorer (+125)

I'll break these three down together, as they all work hand in hand on the same premise. First, Uzbekistan is a tournament debutant, and while Cape Verde held Spain to a 0-0 draw, we've seen less-inspired performances from Curacao (a 7-1 loss to Germany) and Jordan (a 3-1 loss to Austria). It's hard to make your first appearance on the world stage. 

Colombia finished runner up at the 2024 COPA, losing 1-0 to Argentina in the final. This squad is the real deal. 

But my favorite angle here is the altitude. Colombia is even higher than Mexico City, where this game goes down, so that won't be an issue for the South American side. But it probably will be for Uzbekistan, which is coming in from Georgia. That type of setup will lead to late exhaustion for the debutants that Colombia won't run into, but will take advantage of. A 3-0 victory is hardly out of reach. 

And potting one of those three? (Colombia's) Luis Suárez. The striker stepped into the vacancy left by Viktor Gyokeres at Sporting CP, potting 28 goals in 32 games, making the step up from scoring 27 in 41 games the year prior at La Liga 2. He actually scored four in Colombia's last WCQ. I like the value of him getting one tonight.

Kickoff time: 10 p.m. ET
Uzbekistan vs. Colombia odds: Uzbekistan (+850) | Draw (+390) | Colombia (-270)
How to watch: FS1 / Telemundo / Peacock

💰️ More World Cup predictions today

Our Gary Pearson breaks down this gamer even more deeply with his Uzbekistan vs. Colombia prediction