2014 World Cup Free Picks: Belgium vs. United States

4 p.m., Tuesday, July 1 – Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador (ESPN)

Match Betting Lines

Belgium is -110 to defeat the USA while the runners-up from Group G are +375. The draw can be had for +260 while the total for this match is set at 2.5 goals.

Belgium

If you weren’t following the tournament, on paper the odds might seem gracious in favor of the US. However, Belgium hasn’t been as good as their perfect record shows from the group play standings. The tournament dark horse may have won all three matches, but they needed timely goals and clutch substitutes to make it work in every one of those results. Now they face a United States team that won’t be lacking in confidence. Belgium needs to find an immediate spark and not chase this match, as no doubt this young group play better from ahead.

United States

Advancing from the Group of Death is sure to give Jurgen Klinsmann and his team a supreme boost, even if they didn’t finish on a high in the loss to Germany. And for as skilled a group as Belgium are, this is about as good a scenario as the Stars and Stripes could ask for when pitted against a team that is supremely more talented than their own. These two played in a friendly in late May, Belgium winning that match 4-2, so the Unites States knows how capable this team is going forward in attack.

Match Analysis

The United States cannot afford to give away the bulk of possession to their opponent yet again. It’s a developing trend. They sat back and defended against Ghana for the entire match and were outplayed despite winning. Against Germany they pretty much donated that match by subjecting themselves to a passive, defensive game plan. If they do that here against a more talented Belgium outfit, it will result in another loss.

Key Injuries, Suspensions, Yellow Cards

Jozy Altidore has been training with the team but his participation is still unknown. Even if the Sunderland striker does play, he doesn’t seem fit enough for more than a half at best.

Match Pick

Comparing the levels of talent of these two isn’t fair. Belgium has players competing in the English Premier League, and on paper the Europeans have a major edge with individual skill. But the United States have a certain edge in terms of having been here before. The underdogs can draw from the elimination round at the 2010 World Cup for inspiration and experience. However, consider Belgium has won every match they’ve played and they haven’t been anywhere near their peak. They begin to reach it with a strong performance here and a win to advance to the quarterfinals.

Doc’s Sports has full coverage of the 2014 World Cup and more articles throughout this summer’s major soccer tournament. Strike Point Sports is one of the top soccer handicappers with their success on the big tournament stage. From the 2006 World Cup, Euro 2008, 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012, SPS earned $100 clients over $8,200 in profit from these four major events. This summer’s World Cup is going to be another moneymaking opportunity, and they are looking forward to their soccer selections and another winning tournament.

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