Sunday’s World Cup Round of 16 action comes from New Jersey and it promises to be one of thee ties of the tournament so far as Brazil take on Norway
Brazil:
Brazil had to dig deep to get past Japan with a 2-1 win in Houston in the Round of 32. They were 1-0 from the 29th minute with Japan looking really dangerous but Brazil cranked up the pressure in th second half. Casemiro squared things up on 56 minutes, Vini Jr hit the post and just when it looked like extra time would be needed substitute Gabriel Martinelli popped up with the winner in the 95th minute.
Earlier in the tournament Brazil topped Group C with 2 wins and 1 draw finishing ahead of Morocco on goal difference. Scotland finished third with 3 points and Haiti were bottom of the quartet after losing all 3 of their matches.
They made sure of top spot with a 3-0 win over Scotland in Miami. Vinicius Jr continued his goal streak with two first half goals and Matheus Cunha added the third after the break.
Brazil were 3-0 winners over Haiti in their second group match in Philadelphia. All 3 goals came in the first half and this time it was Matheus Cunha scoring the first 2 and Vinicius Jr adding the third.
Brazil had opened up with a 1-1 draw with Morocco in New Jersey. They conceded the first goal after 21 minutes but worked their way into the game and Vinicius Junior scored a cracking equalizer on 32 minutes.
Norway:
Norway struck late to see off Ivory Coast 2-1 in their Round of 16 clash in Dallas on Tuesday. Nusa put them in front just before half time but the Ivorian’s were always in the contest and levelled things up on 74 minutes. It was Norway who then found the winner through Erling Haaland on 86 minutes with his fifth goal of the tournament earning Norwy their first ever win in the WC Finals knockout rounds.
Norway came through arguably the strongest of the groups as runners up to France. The French finished with the maximum 9 points whilst Norway had 6, Senegal were third with 3 whilst Iraq failed to earn a point and were eliminated.
Norway’s made 10 changes for their final group match against France in Boston including leaving Haaland on the bench and France, who were pretty much full strength, ran out 4-1 winners. France led 3-1 by half time with Thelo Aasgaard scoring Norway’s goal and Jorgen Strand Larsen missed a second half penalty.
Earlier Norway made it 2 wins from 2 when they edged out Senegal 3-2 in New Jersey. Marcus Pederson opened the scoring late in the first half and Haaland made it 2-0 not long after the restart. Senegal pulled a goal back but Haaland was on target again to make it 3-1 just before the hour mark before Senegal reduced the arrears again.
Haaland scored twice in a 4-1 win over Iraq in Boston in Norway’s opening game. His goals came in the first half either side of an Iraq equalizer, Leo Ostigard made it 3-1 on 76 minutes and an Iraq own goal at the death rounded off the scoring.
The Betting (Regulation time unless stated otherwise)
Brazil are priced at around 17/20 to win the game with the draw available at 27/10 and Norway can be backed at around 3/1
A game of 3 goals or more is priced at 15/20 and its 13/20 for both teams to score
As far as price boosts are concerned Sportingbet have the following offers.
Haaland to register 3 or more shots n target is boosted to 18/5
Vini Junior to score the first goal is 5/1
Alexander Sorloth to score any time is 36/10
Bet Builder price boosts are also available.
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The Verdict:
Brazil have played some really good stuff at times but they don’t always put it together for 90 minutes. Morocco in the group stage and Japan in the Round of 32 caused them plenty of problems and Norway are capable of doing likewise so it should be a cracker.
For a bet whilst tempted by the first goalscorer price boost I’m with the more conservative option of Vini Junior to score any time (in regulation time). For additional interest I’ll go with Brazil to win 2-1, 3-1 or 4-1 in the multi scores market
Bets: Anytime goalscorer Vini Junior at 15/10 with Lucky Fish
Multi Score, Brazil to win 2-1, 3-1 or 4-1 at 36/10 with Sportingbet
Note, odds are subject to change