⚽ World Cup Predictions Today: Best Bets & Prop Picks for Friday, June 19

It's time for matchday 2 in Group C and Group D, and there's plenty on the line today. As we make our World Cup predictions for Friday, we look at the big questions: can Morocco and Brazil pick up their first wins of the tournament? Will the United States be able to punch their ticket to the knockout rounds? 

My World Cup predictions scour the markets to find the best value, and as the profits continue to grow, we continue to roll on.

⚽ World Cup predictions today: June 19

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

Total wagered: 4.5 units | Max profit: 5.23 units

💰 Best World Cup prediction today

Morocco moneyline (-150) vs. Scotland

Almost a little surprised to see this line as short as it is. One of these teams is amongst the best in the world, one of these teams was probably lucky to emerge with a victory against Haiti in its opener. 

Scotland is likely to adopt a compact, defensive shape, inviting Morocco's pressure, which won't end as well as it did when they allowed Haiti to take 15 shots. Morocco won't take many chances; both teams know they need the point here, but a team that's capable of mostly nullifying the creative output of Brazil won't struggle with what little Scotland has to offer. 

Morocco will control possession, likely between 60-65%, they offer a structured defense that can shut down the best in the world, and they're far more technical on the offensive side of things. They'll emerge with all 3 points, although it might be a cagier-than-expected game resulting in a 1-0 or 2-0 scoreline.

Kickoff time: 6 p.m. ET 
Scotland vs. Morocco odds: Scotland (+475) | Draw (+270) | Morocco (-150)
How to watch: FOX / Telemundo / FOX One

🔥 More World Cup predictions for Friday

Folarin Balogun 2+ shots on target (+120) / USA Over 5.5 shots on target (+120) vs. Australia

These two props go hand in hand, essentially hitting out at the same angle: Australia is comfortable sitting back and giving up possession. 

That type of defense can inflate shot totals for the opposition, and for a team living its best life as the co-host of the world's biggest tournament, that's going to result in plenty of shots. Australia gave up 72% of the possession to Turkey in their opener (30 shots against, eight on target), and if the United States hit 70, they'll have chances to reach the same numbers as they did against Paraguay: 16 shots, six on target. 

That charge will be led by Folarin Balogun, the 24-year-old who showed his prowess to score goals would have no issues carrying over to the World Cup. Since joining the national team four years ago he's put up 10 goals in 22 games (16 starts). He connected twice on his three shots on target in the opener (five total shots), and those numbers should only get a boost today vs. Australia as their defensive setup funnels to the in-the-box looks that Balogun relies on as the USA's confirmed No. 9. 

Kickoff time: 3 p.m. ET
USA vs. Australia odds: USA (-160) | Draw (+330) | Australia (+425)
How to watch: FOX / Telemundo / FOX One

Neil El Aynaoui 2+ shots (+100) vs. Scotland

I broke down how this game should play out above: Morocco will dominate possession, will have more chances, and will win the game. But it won't come easy. Despite my belief that Morocco is hands down the more tactical side, Scotland will stick to their guns by playing a compact defensive shape that will largely try to frustrate Morocco's entries into the box. 

So, why not have a go from outside the box? El Aynaoui's price to take two is beyond fair, overvaluing Scotland's defense and his role as a defensive midfielder. While he doesn't shoot a lot domestically, that changes greatly when he puts on the national jersey. He's only got the callup for two major tournaments so far in his career, AFCON and this World Cup. During AFCON he hit three shots in three of seven games (1.57/90) and he rolled up three against Brazil. 

As Scotland's stout defense frustrates Morocco, he'll get liberty to step up and shoot, and he doesn't even need to hit the target.

Kickoff time: 6 p.m. ET 
Scotland vs. Morocco odds: Scotland (+475) | Draw (+270) | Morocco (-150)
How to watch: FOX / Telemundo / FOX One

Brazil to win both halves (-125) vs. Haiti 

After opening with a draw against the frustrating Morocco, who nullified (most of) the dazzling offense of the Brazilians, today is the day to show out. 

Haiti performed admirably against Scotland in their opener, they might even have been a little hard-done-by to not grab at least a single point, but this is a whole different beast. Brazil's moneyline tonight is a staggering -900, and the spread is -2.5 instead of the standard -1.5. And even that's paying only -125. 

This isn't a case of some of the other top teams dropping the ball in their openers, this is a Brazil side that needs all three points and to run up goal differential in an attempt to take charge of their group. They'll score in both halves, Haiti won't score in either, and this price is better than "Brazil moneyline and both teams to score - no."

Haiti Over 1.5 cards (-150) / Haiti Over 2.5 cards (+360) vs. Brazil

Haiti's defense is going to be frustrated in this one, as teams generally get when they're battered. Brazil is faster and  more technical all over the pitch. They'll invite regular fouls as Haiti has little other way to slow them, and eventually those numbers will lead to yellows for any number of reasons: just the pure persistent fouling, the fouls getting rash, even the frustrating leading to dissent. 

I'm going to put three-quarters of a unit on the Over 1.5, turning a profit even if the quarter-unit on the 2.5 falls short.

Kickoff time: 8:30 p.m. ET
Brazil vs. Haiti odds: Brazil (-900) | Draw (+950) | Haiti (+2200)
How to watch: FOX / Telemundo / FOX One

Turkey Over 1.5 goals (+116) / Kenan Yildiz anytime goalscorer (+260) vs. Paraguay

Turkey was one of the more frustrating watches in the opener against Australia. The feisty European side had a staggering 72% possession, managed eight shots on goal (from 30!!! shots), and failed to score. That's going to change tonight against Paraguay, whose defense is nowhere near as stifling as the Socceroos. 

I don't think Turkey will have those types of shooting numbers again, because Paraguay doesn't line up in such a manner as to invite that type of pressure or shots. But Turkey will also control the game, and I'm going to bank on their quality over their recent result. 

Kenan Yildiz has been one of the more regular scorers for the national team, and he looked sharp in the second half with 0.23 xG on six shots. He should get the full game tonight, and he's my favorite player to get Turkey off the schneid. 

Kickoff time: 11 p.m. ET
Brazil vs. Haiti odds: Turkey (+105) | Draw (+240) | Away (+285)
How to watch: FS1 / Telemundo / FOX One