World Cup Semi-Finals Betting Tips and Picks

Updated December 12, 2022
Updated December 12, 2022By Dean Etheridge

Brazil is out of the 2022 World Cup, and now it looks like anybody’s trophy. So, with France now the new favorites to win the trophy, we look ahead to this week’s semi-finals in our free World Cup betting picks

World Cup Semi Finals Betting Tips And Picks

The quarter-finals were full of shock results and drama, and if the semi-finals are anything like what we have already witnessed, we are in for a great couple of matches.

Brazil can’t get past gritty Croatia 

Did Brazil underestimate Croatia? Quite possibly. They will no doubt deny this, but at half-time in extra-time, when 1-0 up, they looked like a team who already thought they had got the job done. 

Not a bit of it. Croatia fired a late equalizer, taking the game to penalties. And it was the experienced Croats who held their nerves to win the shootout. After Brazil’s exit, we could have been forgiven for thinking we had already witnessed the maximum drama. 

Argentina edge out the Netherlands

But that didn’t prove to be the case, and the three remaining matches all proved to be as dramatic in their own way. 

Next, Argentina defeated the Netherlands on penalties after drawing 2-2, and this after being 2-0 up after 82 minutes of regulation time. It was an ill tempered match, with plenty of bookings for both teams. But ultimately, it was the Argentines who held their nerves to win the shootout.

Ronaldo’s World Cup dream is over

Moving onto Saturday’s two matches, it was supposed to start with a regulation win for Portugal over Morocco in the early kick off. 

No side from the continental of Africa had ever reached the semi-finals of a World Cup before, and after Portugal’s 6-1 win over Switzerland in the round of 16, no one really gave the Moroccans much of a chance against Fernando Santos’ team.

So when Youssef En-Nesyri put the Moroccans ahead on 42 minutes, at the time it felt more like just an obstacle the Portuguese needed to overcome, as opposed to a threat to their continued presence in the tournament. 

The Portuguese threw everything at the Moroccans in the second half, but the African side held firm. They eventually held out and broke the hearts of the winners of Euro 2016, and made history in the process. 

France were too strong for England

Then in the final match up, France were too strong for England, beating Gareth Southgate’s team 2-1. 

They did need a missed penalty from Harry Kane to assist them. But in truth the French didn’t play well, but still came through, and are now the favorites with the best World Cup betting sites to lift the trophy next Sunday.

2022 World Cup winner betting

After knocking out the dangerous England, France now find themselves as the favorites to win the 2022 World Cup, and retain the trophy they won in Russia four years ago.

2022 Qatar World Cup Winner BettingBetOnlineBetUSBovada
France+115+110+110
Argentina+165+160+150
Croatia+700+700+700
Morocco+900+900+900

The French are +110 with the best soccer betting sites. They are closely followed by Argentina, who find themselves at +165. Croatia comes next at +700, and then it’s Morocco at +900, the nation no one would have predicted would get this far.Argentina vs Croatia 

The Argentine’s didn’t look great against the Netherlands, and it almost sounds daft to say this about a team who were 2-0 up after 82 minutes, but they were lucky to get through.

What I witnessed from the current Copa America champions though was a determination to get the job done, by any method. This team resembles a tough old school Argentine side who are prepared to employ the dark arts to get the job done.

Argentina are -120 to win in 90 minutes. Croatia is +430, and the draw is +225. In betting to qualify, Argentina is -275, Croatia is +220

If I’m pushed for a result, I would say back Argentina to win. But I just can’t write off Croatia, they are so difficult to beat. I think it will go deep, and I think it will be a tight match. So my betting pick is under 2.5 goals at -188.

Under 2.5 GoalsArgentina vs Croatia
-188
Bet Now

Please check out our BetOnline sportsbook review for more great betting offers that can be used on the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

France vs Morocco 

In a similar way to not wanting to write Croatia off, my heart is a touch reluctant to do the same to Morocco, but my head is saying it’s a win for France. 

How can the Moroccans be expected to put in another defensive performance like they did against Portugal, when they face up to the French juggernaut on Wednesday?

France weren’t at their best against England, but still found a way to win. And I can only see them beating Morocco. 

In 90 minutes of betting, France is -185 on the moneyline, the draw is +295, and Morocco are +675. The handicap line is interesting here, as BetOnline makes France -108 starting from -1 goals. Morocco is -108 with a one goal start. In total goals betting, over 2.5 goals is +120, and under 2.5 goals is -150

For my picks, I’m going for France to win on the handicap, I can see them winning by two clear goals. And I think -108 is good value there.

France (-1)To beat Morocco
-108
Bet Now

As a sort of savor bet, I’m going for over 2.5 goals as well. If Morocco do score, and it ends up 2-1 to France, then this wager comes in. So at +120, I think over 2.5 goals is well worth a bet.

Over 2.5 GoalsFrance vs Morocco
+120
Bet Now
Summary
Event
2022 FIFA World Cup Semi-Finals
Location
Qatar,
Starting on
December 13, 2022
Ending on
December 14, 2022

About the Author

Dean Etheridge
Dean Etheridge

Dean is primarily a fan of English football who regularly attends games, and combining his hobby with his job, he is now a full-time sports betting writer. Rather than going down the educational route into sports journalism, Dean learned his trade by writing for his English football betting website since 2009, where he now boasts nearly 15 years of experience. After writing about football daily for years, Dean has taken the skills he learned and now uses them to great effect writing for numerous affiliate sites across the internet. A general all-around sports enthusiast with a passion for English football and cricket, Dean is also well able to turn his hand to writing about golf, tennis, F1, boxing, snooker, darts, and North American sports. Combining his extensive knowledge and experience with British humor and wit, Dean has developed into a trusted voice within the sports betting industry.

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