The 2026 FIFA World Cup continues into the knockout rounds! Before you enjoy the action, let’s dive into the top World Cup expert picks for today’s matches. We’ll dish out a few World Cup predictions for Sunday, July 5th. Check out these World Cup best bets for some of the top players and games on the schedule. Plus, we’ll examine some of the key World Cup odds to keep an eye on. 

Best FIFA World Cup Picks Today, 7/5

Brazil vs. Norway – Both Teams To Score (-145 on BetMGM Sportsbook)

Today’s World Cup expert picks feature the Round of 16 matchup between Brazil and Norway. There are paths for both teams to score in what could be a back-and-forth contest with plenty of goal opportunities. Let’s lean on that angle for our World Cup predictions. 

Brazil brings in a potent attack that’s hit its stride. The Brazilians scored three first-half goals and cruised to a win over Haiti; then they scored three goals on 21 shots against Scotland to wrap up group play. They only scored twice against Japan in the Round of 32, but easily could’ve had more, with 19 shots total and 12 attempts inside the box. 

Brazil’s attack should net at least a goal in this match, and likely one or two more. Norway’s defense has been vulnerable. It’s conceded a goal or more in every World Cup match thus far. That includes four goals allowed to France and two goals to Senegal in the two toughest games. 

On the other end, Norway is always live to score as well. The Norwegians have scored 10 goals in the first four matches with at least one in each game. Erling Haaland is a goal machine, while Alexander Sorloth and Antonio Nusa also add playmaking to the attack. Meanwhile, the Brazilians have been exploited on defense at times. They conceded against both Japan and Morocco in their two hardest matchups. 

Let’s back both teams to score in this Round of 16 clash. The prop has cashed in every World Cup game for Norway, and in 10 of their last 11 games across all competitions. Meanwhile, the pick has hit in seven of the last nine matches for Brazil. 

More World Cup Expert Picks: 

 

 

 

Top World Cup Player Props Today

Elliot Anderson (England) – 3+ Tackles (-125 on DraftKings Sportsbook)

Let’s keep the World Cup best bets going with a player prop. Our World Cup expert picks feature England’s Elliot Anderson to have three or more tackles against Mexico today. This match projects to be low-scoring and physical, with both defenses keeping things tight. Anderson will especially play a key role in England’s defensive midfield. 

Mexico’s attack boasts some dangerous playmakers and goal-scorers. Raul Jimenez, Julian Quinones, and Roberto Alvarado can all create scoring chances with their movement and creativity up top. England will need Anderson, in particular, to step up and slow that trio down. His ability to win the ball in open field and make smart tackles will be paramount to limiting Mexico’s offense. 

Anderson has been an active defender in England’s midfield this tournament. He’s totaled nine tackles over four matches, including two or more in each. He also has 14 combined intercepted passes and clearances during the World Cup. Meanwhile, in Mexico’s four games thus far, seven different opposing players have had three or more tackles. 

 

 

 

Best Underdog Picks For Today’s Matches

Orjan Nyland (Norway) – Higher Than 3.5 Saves

Our World Cup expert picks also feature a selection on Underdog Fantasy. Let’s roll with Norway’s Orjan Nyland to have higher than 3.5 saves against Brazil today. The goalkeeper should have plenty of save opportunities against the dangerous Brazilian attack. 

Nyland came up big for Norway in the Round of 32 victory over Ivory Coast. He made four saves and allowed only one goal on 14 total shots. Brazil will likely keep Nyland busy once again. The attack is averaging 6.5 shots on goal per game in the World Cup so far, including five or more in each match. The Brazilians are also averaging 15 total shots per contest. 

In turn, opposing goalkeepers have been racking up saves against Brazil. Japan’s Zion Suzuki made four saves in the Round of 32. The keepers of Scotland and Morocco made five and four saves, respectively, during the group stage. Nyland may allow a goal or two, but the saves will be there while seeing a barrage of shots. 

 

 

 

Most Likely Goal Scorers Today

Now that we’ve broken down the top World Cup expert picks, let’s focus on which players are most likely to score goals. Below is a list of the top anytime goalscorer World Cup odds for today’s matches. The odds are via DraftKings Sportsbook: 

Brazil vs. Norway 

  • Erling Haaland +120
  • Vinicius Junior +120
  • Endrick +145
  • Matheus Cunha +145
  • Neymar Junior +155

Mexico vs. England

  • Harry Kane +145
  • Ivan Toney +175
  • Ollie Watkins +175
  • Raul Jimenez +230
  • Armando Gonzalez +265

 

World Cup Betting Trends To Know 

Before you lock in those World Cup expert picks, let’s talk betting trends. The World Cup odds and recent history can tell us a lot about how a match may go. Keeping up with the trends can also help us cash in on World Cup predictions as the tournament progresses. 

Saturday’s Round of 16 matches were both shutouts. Morocco took care of Canada in a 3-0 victory that hit the over. Meanwhile, France earned a 1-0 win over Paraguay that went under. That brings us to an 11-7 record favoring the over in the knockout rounds, and the over is 49-41 in the World Cup overall. 

The pair of clean sheets also means that the “both teams to score” prop failed to cash in both. That pick is now an even 9-9 in the knockout rounds, and 49-41 in the tournament overall.