Four more World Cup group stage matches land on Monday, June 22 as Group I and Group J reach their second matchday.
The stakes are rising across both pools, with places at the top of the table and qualification positioning all in play.
Sports Illustrated runs through every fixture, with score predictions, key storylines and BetOnline odds for all four games.
Sports Illustrated World Cup Predictions Day 12 – Best Bets Summary
- Argentina to Win -190
- France to Win -1100
- Norway to Win +130
- Algeria to Win -175
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Sports Illustrated Argentina vs Austria Prediction – Argentina Win -190
Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET | AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Argentina arrive in Dallas off the back of a dominant opening display.
Lionel Messi’s hat-trick against Algeria was the moment of the tournament so far, equalling Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup scoring record of 16 goals and setting the stage for what could be another historic afternoon in Texas.
Austria are not simply here to make up the numbers.
Ralf Rangnick has built a side with genuine defensive organisation and technical quality in midfield.
Romano Schmid provided creativity and movement in the win over Jordan, while Marcel Sabitzer remains one of Europe’s better playmakers at international level.
But the gulf between what Austria offered against a limited Jordanian side and what Argentina will bring is wide.
Argentina’s expected goals figure of 1.3 against Algeria tells the real story.
Messi had to be exceptional to deliver the scoreline. Scaloni’s side did not overwhelm their opponents with volume of chances but executed with ruthless precision, and their backline did not concede a single shot on target.
Austria generated just 0.39 expected goals against Jordan, and that was against a defence they should have dominated. Against Cristian Romero and a settled Argentina backline, finding an opening becomes a different proposition entirely.
Score Prediction: Argentina 2-1 Austria
Sports Illustrated France vs Iraq Prediction – France Win -1100
Kickoff: 5 p.m. ET | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
France are one of two teams at this tournament alongside Argentina who look truly capable of lifting the trophy.
Their 3-1 win over Senegal on Matchday 1 was not just convincing in terms of scoreline but in terms of how easily they dismantled a well-organised, dangerous side once they found their rhythm.
Kylian Mbappé scored twice, Bradley Barcola added a third from the bench and Michael Olise was outstanding throughout.
Didier Deschamps has a depth of attacking talent that makes France difficult to plan against, with quality stretching well beyond the first-choice front three.
Iraq lost 4-1 to Norway in their opener and recorded an expected goals figure of -0.27 against Ståle Solbakken’s side.
They rank among the weakest attacks in the tournament and face a significant step up in quality at Lincoln Financial Field.
At -1100 on the moneyline, there is no value in backing France straight. The better angle sits in the goals markets, where France’s firepower against Iraq’s defensive limitations points firmly toward goals.
Mbappé at -175 for anytime scorer is the tighter bet for those wanting individual exposure.
Score Prediction: France 4-0 Iraq
Sports Illustrated Norway vs Senegal Prediction – Norway Win +130
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
The pick of Monday’s four fixtures in terms of competitive balance.
Both Norway and Senegal collected maximum points on Matchday 1, meaning whoever wins at MetLife Stadium takes a commanding grip on Group I going into the final round of fixtures.
Erling Haaland opened his World Cup account with a brace against Iraq and made it look straightforward.
The Manchester City striker is the most physically imposing centre-forward in the tournament and benefits from Martin Ødegaard’s delivery from deep.
Norway are not a one-man team, but they become significantly more dangerous when Haaland is in his rhythm, which he clearly is.
Senegal carry their own threats. Sadio Mané leads a forward line that also includes Nicolas Jackson and Ismaïla Sarr, three players who can punish defensive errors at the highest level.
The concern is that their Matchday 1 performance against France was poor in possession.
They generated -0.27 expected goals and spent long periods unable to create any momentum going forward.
Norway’s defensive discipline in the opener was also encouraging.
They did not simply win; they controlled the match. At +130 on the BetOnline moneyline, backing Norway outright avoids the noise in surrounding markets and returns better than even money on a team with a clear structural advantage.
Score Prediction: Norway 2-1 Senegal
Sports Illustrated Jordan vs Algeria Prediction – Algeria Win -175
Kickoff: 11 p.m. ET | Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California
Monday’s late fixture brings the curtain down on Day 12 and pits the two weakest teams in Group J against one another.
Neither Jordan nor Algeria won their opening match, but the difference in how they lost is significant.
Algeria went toe-to-toe with the reigning world champions and kept the expected goals differential at -0.45. That is a far more creditable performance than the raw 3-0 scoreline suggests.
The European-based core of the Algeria squad showed they can stay organised and competitive against elite opposition, and they now face a Jordan team they are clearly superior to on paper.
Jordan were beaten 3-1 by Austria, a result that was arguably flattering to them. Their expected goals numbers were poor on both ends of the pitch and their physical and technical level dropped noticeably in the second half as Austria took over.
Algeria’s squad depth and quality from European leagues gives them a clear edge. They have the motivation to secure a result that keeps their knockout stage hopes alive and the tools to deliver it.
Score Prediction: Algeria 2-0 Jordan
