World Cup Day 15 Tipsheet: Jack Critchley's best bets and predictions for the 2026 World Cup

Ecuador v Germany Tip - Back the South Americans to draw another blank

Click for Ecuador v Germany odds
Thursday, 21:00 Live on BBC One

Germany have already secured their passage to the knock-out stages of the competition, and Julian Nagelsmann is expected to selectively rotate for this final Group E contest. Nico Schlotterbeck's tournament is over with the defender picking up an ankle injury, which is likely to disrupt their balance on the left-hand side.

Having made an explosive impact from the bench, Deniz Undav is in line for a start, whereas Newcastle's Nick Woltemade may also be given the nod. Leon Goretzka and Pascal Gross may also feature. Nagelsmann is unlikely to completely change his XI, but he will be keen to preserve the energy of Kai Havertz and Florian Wirtz for the next round of the competition.

Ecuador are heading home. Despite being flagged as 'potential dark horses' by some pundits, the South Americans have struggled in the final third and their failure to notch against both Curacao and Ivory has proven costly.

Both Enner Valencia and Gonzalo Plata have missed opportunities with the latter firing in three efforts on target totalling an xG of just 0.56.

Motivation levels will be low and the Ecuadorians are unlikely to get too many opportunities against a reasonably competent German defence.

Curacao v Ivory Coast Tip - Back Ivory Coast to sail through to the knock-outs

Click for Curacao v Ivory Coast odds
Thursday, 21:00 Live on BBC Two

Curacao made history when they held Ecuador to a goalless draw last time out and they will be looking to go one step further and secure a first victory when they take on Ivory Coast on Thursday evening.

The Elephants were unlucky to lose 2-1 to Germany, having produced a solid performance which probably deserved a point. They know that a draw would be enough to secure second spot, even if Ecuador inexplicably beat Germany in New Jersey. They have been energetic in their approach and there has been late drama in both of their matches so far.

Eloy Room conjured up a heroic performance to keep Ecuador off the scoresheet last week, but the Miami FC stopper is unlikely to manage a second successive clean sheet here. Curacao have given up plenty of opportunities, with only Qatar having a higher xGA so far. I don't envisage Ivory Coast pushing for more goals once they have established a comfortable lead. General fatigue, coupled with Wilfried Singo's unfortunately injury may result in Emerse Fae rotating heavily in the second half to preserve some energy.

Japan v Sweden Tip - Back the Blue Samurai to put Sweden to the sword

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Friday, 00:00 Live on BBC Two

Japan are battling with the Netherlands for top spot in Group F and they will be expected to take maximum points from this final game. Their 2-2 draw with the Dutch was a curious game in which neither side produced many goalscoring opportunities, yet both sides were clinical in the key moments. They let loose against Tunisia, restricting their opponents to just two shots in 90 minutes. Having also limited the Netherlands to just 0.73 xG, they are supremely well-organised and aren't likely to give much away here.

Even with key players absent, they have been effective and there is the prevailing feeling that they have a few more gears to go through before they reach their peak.

Sweden have been a magnet for chaos at the tournament so far. Having hit Tunisia for five, they were subsequently torn apart by the Netherlands. They sit on three points and although that may be enough for them to sneak through, they will be keen to avoid a second successive battering. They have quality in the final third, but they look uncertain at the back.

Tunisia v Netherlands Tip - Back Tunisia to bow out with another thumping defeat

Click for Tunisia v Netherlands odds
Friday, 00:00 Live on BBC One

It's been a thoroughly miserable tournament for Tunisia so far. The North Africans are heading home, having conceded nine times, and having made headlines for becoming the first team to make a managerial switch after just a single group game.

The arrival of the experienced Herve Renard failed to ignite a response with the Tunisian's managed a paltry two efforts on goal against Japan. Interestingly, their xGA isn't particularly embarrassing, with Paraguay, Jordan, Czechia, Senegal and Cape Verde having recorded higher numbers, but individual errors and frequent losses of concentration have haunted them throughout the tournament.

The Netherlands are far from the ideal opponents with the the Oranje still battling for top spot and unlikely to rest key players for this one. Ronald Koeman's side have looked ruthless going forward, scoring seven times so far. They have a wealth of individual talent and the Tunisia defence may struggle to cope with the energy and power of Brian Brobbey and the determination and craft of Ryan Gravenberch.

I'd expect a fairly one-sided high-scoring encounter.

Paraguay v Australia Tip - Back a tight and cagey Group D finale

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Friday, 03:00 Live on ITV4

This game is effectively a straight shoot-out for second spot in Group D and both sides are likely to fancy their chances of progression. With the USA away and gone, it's all to play for in Santa Clara and neither side is going to want to give much away.

Paraguay produced a gritty, backs-to-wall performance against Turkey despite being reduced to ten men, holding out for a 1-0 victory. They clearly weren't prepared for the USA onslaught in their opener and their performance last time out was more in keeping with their qualfying campaign. Gustavo Alfaro is likely to set up his side in a fairly pragmatic manner and they are unlikely to be easily exploited.

Tony Popovic is also a renowned pragmatist and although his side were beaten 2-0 by the USA, he can be relatively satisfied with their second half performance. They lack quality in the final third and have relied on moments of individual brilliance at this tournament so far.

There is plenty at stake here, and neither manager will want their side to concede the opener. Expect a close encounter.

Turkey v USA Tip - Back Turkey to finally hit the target

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Friday, 03:00 Live on ITV1

There is far less riding on this game than Paraguay v Australia with each of these two teams already aware of their fate. The USA have been excellent so far and appear to have a relatively trouble-free passage to the quarter-finals. Mauricio Pochettino may opt to rotate his XI here with his team already guaranteed to finish as group winners.

Coventry's Haji Wright looked lively during his brief cameo against Australia and he could be one of the players who could be in line for a start here. It's been well-documented that Turkey have taken 60+ shots without finding the back of the net. The Crescent Stars will surely get on the scoresheet if they continue to create opportunities at the same rate. Against a potentially rotated USA XI, they should be able to register before they depart.

The USA tend to make fast starts, and they could easily notch before the break once more. I'd expect a few goals in this Group D closer.

I've put together a bet builder for this game and if you place a £10 bet on this selection, you'll receive a free £10 bet courtesy of our Bet £10 Get £10 on ACCAs or bet builders at the World Cup.

Notable winners on Betting.Betfair so far at the 2026 World Cup...

- Mark Stinchcombe's stunning 38/139.00 Bet Builder in South Korea v Czechia
- Paul Higham's 9/25.50 Bet Builder in Mexico's MD1 defeat of South Africa
- Paul also tipped 13/53.60 (Canada v Bosnia) & 15/82.88 (Brazil v Morocco) draws
- A 6/17.00 winning ACCA for Mark on Sunday at the World Cup
- Andy Robson's 9/110.00 five-leg ACCA as Germany wallop Curacao
- A 13/53.60 winner for Paul as France beat Senegal with both teams scoring
- Paul's at it again, an 11/43.75 winning Best Bet in Switzerland v Bosnia
- An 11/26.50 winner for Jimmy The Punt as Jonathan David scores 2+ goals
- Paul's 2/13.00 headline tip in Germany v Ivory Coast was a winner
- Jack Critchley delivered a 5/16.00 goalscorer treble on day 13

Jack's Day 15 4-Fold - Back these four selections on Thursday/Friday at 15/28.50

Check out all of our World Cup 2026 betting tips