World Cup odds and schedule December 2: Portugal, Brazil can clinch groups on Friday

The group stage ends on Friday when Groups G and H play their final games.

Portugal and Brazil have already advanced to the round of 16 and play South Korea and Cameroon, which both need wins to ensure a chance at qualification. Switzerland and Ghana can advance with a win, while their opponents — Serbia and Uruguay — need a victory along with a favourable result in the other games to qualify.

World Cup odds and schedule

Odds as of 11:50 a.m. ET on 12/1/2022.

Ghana vs. Uruguay: It’s been a disastrous start to the tournament for Uruguay but we believe this team is too talented to go winless in the group stage. Ghana has had an eventful two games, scoring five goals while also conceding five.

The Black Stars beat South Korea on Monday but were out-possessed 63.1 to 36.9 and outshot 22-7 in that game. Expect Uruguay’s midfield of Rodrigo Bentancur and Federico Valverde to dominate play and lead the Sky Blue to a win.

Uruguay can advance to its fourth straight knockout stage with a win if South Korea ties or loses. If South Korea beats Portugal, Uruguay will need to have a higher goal differential, which is unlikely.

Best bet: Uruguay to win (-127)

South Korea vs. Portugal: When players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Heung-min Son take the field, goals are sure to follow. Portugal has scored five goals through its first two games and we expect it to find the net again on Friday.

South Korea was held off the score sheet in its first match but bounced back by burying two against Ghana on Monday. Son hasn’t turned up just yet but we expect South Korea’s best player to be heavily involved in a do-or-die game.

Best bet: Over 2.5 goals (-115), Heung-min Son to score (+245)

ameroon vs. Brazil: All three of Brazil’s World Cup goals have been scored in the second half but the five-time champions should come out firing on Friday. Cameroon has conceded four goals through two games, including three against Serbia on Monday.

Brazil’s offence is simply too much for most teams to handle and a wire-to-wire victory feels overdue.

Best bet: Brazil first half moneyline (-112)

Serbia vs. Switzerland: It may not have been exciting to watch but Switzerland has positioned itself nicely heading into the final group stage match. The Swiss have leaned on defence in its first two games, beating Cameroon 1-0 before holding Brazil off the score sheet until the 83rd minute.

We think this will be another low-scoring affair. All Switzerland needs to advance is a draw — assuming Cameroon doesn’t beat Brazil by two-plus goals — so expect a passive gameplan from Murat Yakin’s squad.

Best bet: Under 2.5 goals (-139)