talkSPORT tips – Best football bets and expert advice for Thursday 2 July

The World Cup’s opening knockout round is progressing rapidly and three more nations will secure passage to the last 16 on day five of this phase.

There’s a real European feel to the action, with five of the six competing nations representing the continent that has provided four of the last five World Cup winners.

We’ve got three bets to consider as Spain face Austria, Portugal tackle Croatia and Switzerland clash with Algeria.

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Thursday football tips

Bet of the Day

Portugal vs Croatia – Croatia to qualify @ 2/1

There surely has not been enough evidence in this tournament to believe Portugal are worthy 1/3 shots to get past Croatia and into the last 16.

The Roberto Martinez-led Iberians didn’t beat DR Congo or Colombia and registered just three shots on target over those 180 minutes. They dismissed Uzbekistan 5-0 in between, with Cristiano Ronaldo bagging a self-satisfying double.

Now 41, Ronaldo seemingly remains untouchable in this team and that could be to the detriment of Martinez and his squad.

Croatia were beaten by England but played their part in a pulsating first half. They overcame Ghana and Panama since and their record in World Cup knockout matches shows they have been eliminated just three times in 12 games while they have a 4-4 record in penalty shootouts.

Portugal’s potential for impotence in front of goal is a big worry and Croatia could frustrate them in Toronto. Zlatko Dalic’s side are no mugs and too big a price to ignore in this spot.

Bet Builder

Spain to beat Austria, Under 3.5 Goals, Under 9.5 Corners & Mikel Oyarzabal 2+ Shots on Target @ 6/1

Spain should take care of Austria but a drubbing in Los Angeles is unlikely. La Roja have scored just one goal in each of their last seven World Cup knockout matches when facing European opposition.

Three goals or fewer looks a likely outcome in a contest where Luis de la Fuente’s side should dominate the ball.

Spain had 11 corners in their opening stalemate against Cape Verde but have come in at six in both games since, while conceding only three flag-kicks across the group stage.

Austria have taken just ten corners in three games while conceding a mere four and a low corner count is fancied here.

Mikel Oyarzabal has two goals and one assist in this World Cup, making it 22 goal contributions (scored 15, seven assists) in his 15 starts for Spain. He’s had 11 shots in three games and can get a couple on target here in a game where the European champions may have to work hard to break through.

Acca

Spain Half-Time/Full Time, Croatia to qualify and Switzerland to win @ 10/1

Spain fired a blank against Cape Verde but have been in front at half-time en route to wins over Saudi Arabia and Uruguay since. They have yet to concede and of the 22 goals they scored in qualifying, 12 were netted before half time as they led at the break in five of six games.

Austria have conceded in the opening half in two of three games and Das Team may struggle from early on against the European champions.

Croatia’s track record in knockout games dictates they are highly unlikely to go down without a fight against a Portuguese side that is misfiring and that lost to the Republic of Ireland in a qualifier in November. Semi-finalists at the last two World Cups, Croatia’s journey can continue.

Finally, Switzerland are growing with each passing game and could easily have three wins but for Qatar’s late equaliser in their opener. Algeria have twice conceded three goals already and the Fennecs may head for the exit door in Vancouver.

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