Mundial 2026 — Predictions

Spain arrive as Euro 2024 champions and the only team in this tournament to keep a clean sheet in every group game — but three attackers (Williams, Pino, Muñoz) are injury doubts, blunting their firepower significantly. Austria under Rangnick play intense gegenpressing and drew 3-3 with Algeria — dangerous going forward but with 0 clean sheets in their last 12 World Cup games, they always concede. BetOnArme and Foxbet both back 1 & Under 3.5 @2.00 — Spain to win, but not by a flood of goals. Betarades takes the contrarian angle with Austria +1.5 AH @1.93, backing Austria not to lose by 2+. Sports Mole goes Correct Score 2-0 Spain. The consensus leans Spain, tight and controlled.

My pick: Spain Win & Under 2.5. Spain's defensive machine (0 goals conceded in the group stage) against an Austria side that struggles to keep clean sheets. The attacking injuries for Spain actually point to a 1-0 or 2-0 win rather than a blowout — and Austria's high-press will create one or two chances. The Under is the real value here. I lean Spain 2-0.

My pick: G/G. Three sites call Both Teams to Score — hard to argue. Portugal have Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes creating chances for fun, while Croatia's Modric is unlikely to park the bus in what could be his last World Cup. Both sides scored in every group game. Expect a good game with at least one goal each way.

My pick: Switzerland 1 DNB. Switzerland topped their group and are defensively solid — conceding only once in three group games. Algeria are tricky (they drew 3-3 with Austria) but were erratic. BetOnArme's 1 DNB @1.60 gives you a refund if it ends level, which is sensible insurance. I expect Switzerland to win this, probably 2-0 or 2-1.