talkSPORT tips – Best football bets and expert advice for Saturday 20 June

The second round of World Cup group fixtures continues over the weekend and European heavyweights Germany and the Netherlands are among the teams in action.

Germany made a statement of intent with a 7-1 thrashing of Curacao in their opener but should face a sterner test against Ivory Coast, while the Dutch take on an impressive looking Sweden side.

In the late kick-offs, Herve Renard takes charge of Tunisia for the first time as they face Japan and two teams still seeking their first points meet as Ecuador take on Curacao.

Here we have our expert picks for bet of the day, acca and bet builder ahead of Saturday’s encounter. 

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Bet of the Day

Japan -1 vs Tunisia @ 29/20

Tunisia endured a nightmare start to their World Cup bid as they were thrashed 5-1 by Sweden, a defeat that saw Sabri Lamouchi axed as head coach and replaced with the experienced Renard.

They now face the prospect of needing at least four points from games against the Netherlands and Japan and after their display in their opener that seems highly unlikely.

The Eagles of Carthage face Japan in the 5am kick-off on Saturday and the Blue Samurai should be able to win with room to spare.

The Asian nation are a well drilled unit who were clinical in attack in their draw with the Netherlands and they can cover a -1 handicap against a team in disarray who have shipped 10 goals in total in their last two games.

Bet Builder

Kai Havertz anytime goalscorer, Ange-Yoan Bonny to have 1+ shots on target & Nico Schlotterbeck to have 1+ shots @ 13/2

Germany ran riot against minnows Curacao in their opener but are unlikely to enjoy quite as much success going forward against Ivory Coast, who claimed an important 1-0 win over Ecuador in their own opener.

The Germans should still be able to come out on top and Kai Havertz looks a strong candidate for an anytime effort. The Arsenal forward struck twice against Curacao and will likely be on spot-kick duties again. 

Ivory Coast will be without forward Elye Wahi. So Ange-Yoan Bonny, who replaced his team-mate during the win over Ecuador, may get a chance from the start, with the Inter Milan striker backed to find the target.

Germany defender Nico Schlotterbeck had two shots and scored against Curacao. He probably won’t make the same kind of attacking impact against Les Elephants, but he can at least register an attempt, having averaged over a shot per-game for Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga.

Acca

Netherlands vs Sweden BTTS – Yes, Germany to win, Ecuador vs Curacao over 3.5 goals, Japan -1 @ 13/1

The Netherlands and Sweden both looked better going forward than they did at the back in their openers and backing goals at both ends looks like the best angle in Saturday’s first game.

Both teams have scored in each of Sweden’s last seven games and in four of the Netherlands’ last five.

Germany are on a 10-game winning streak and should be able to extend that against Ivory Coast, who needed a 90th minute strike to grind out a win over Ecuador.

Ecuador aren’t necessarily prolific scorers but they probably need a big win over Curacao after losing their opener.

Over 3.5 goals looks a decent option as the Blue Wave shipped seven against Germany, but did strike in that defeat, so they may be able to add to the overall total.

Japan to cover a -1 handicap against Tunisia is out Bet of the Day and concludes this 13/1 acca.

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