World Cup Day 5 Tipsheet: Best bets and predictions including a 43/1 punt in Belgium v Egypt

Spain v Cape Verde Tip - Not as straightforward as the odds suggest?

Click here for Spain v Cape Verde odds
Monday, 17:00
Live on ITV

Spain are the joint-favourites to win the competition, second in the FIFA rankings and the 2024 Euro winners.

The introduction of more traditional wingers in the last Euro's proved to be a masterstroke. Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal gave a direct edge to the traditionally possession-based La Roja. 

It was a formula that has proved irresistible and although they don't have the depth of France - the other favourites to win the World Cup - their squad is very much a sum of its parts. 

They take on Cape Verde in Atlanta in their curtain raiser. 

The African Islanders are one of 10 sides from the continent competing at the finals and qualified by topping their group ahead of Cameroon, keeping seven clean sheets in 10 fixtures. 

So, although Cape Verde are 34.033/1 to win with the Exchange, this may not be as straight forward for Spain as the odds suggest.

Keeping the score down and trying to nick a result will be the aim of Bubista's side, but in truth, they'll be targeting the fixtures against Uruguay and Saudi Arabia to try and get the three points expected to be enough to reach the knockouts. 

With Spain's price to win to nil too short, I'll sit this game out in terms of a bet. 

Belgium v Egypt Tip - Back a lack of goals

Click here for Belgium v Egypt odds
Monday, 20:00
Live on BBC

Belgium lacked consistency in qualification. They topped their group but dropped points against North Macedonia (twice) and Kazakhstan and conceded five times across their two games with Wales. 

Much of their hopes hinge on Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku. The former had a hand in seven goals in qualification but only started 13 games for Napoli in the Serie A. 

They take on Egypt in Seattle. 

Despite being the most successful African nation - winning seven AFCON titles - The Pharaohs have not won a game at a World Cup finals, then again it is only their third appearance. 

Egypt will fancy their chances of bucking that trend this summer though, qualifying with eight wins from 10 games and a +18 goal-difference. 

They could cause Belgium some issues with the contain-and-counter, direct approach. 

I think siding with under 2.5 goals at 20/231.87 with the Sportsbook is the most sensible way in here.

Egypt only conceded twice in qualification, they also kept two clean sheets in March friendlies with Saudi Arabia and Spain, beat Russia 1-0 at the end of May and lost 2-1 to Brazil at the start of June. 

Belgium simply don't have the quality in attack that Brazil have though. 

I also want to swing big with a tentative 0.5pt play on Egypt to win and under 2.5 goals. 

The bet is an industry best price with the Sportsbook at 9/110.00 but if you dutch your stakes across the 1-0 and 2-0 correct score with the Exchange at 17.533/2 and 44.043/1, you are guaranteed a better return - if the bet wins - for what is essentially the same bet. Assuming Egypt don't score three or more.

The exact split is 0.36pts on the 1-0 Egypt win and 0.14pts on the 2-0 Egypt win. 

Saudi Arabia v Uruguay Tip - Saudis to spring a suprise?

Click here for Saudi Arabia v Uruguay odds
Monday, 23:00
Live on ITV

Saudi Arabia will be looking to emulate their first game of the 2018 Qatar World Cup where they came from behind to beat the eventual champions Argentina. 

They didn't actually make it out of the group in '22 though and I think a similar fate awaits them at this World Cup.

They head into this tournament in slightly unstable circumstances.

Herve Renard, the manager who masterminded the scalp over Argentina, came back for his second stint in-charge of the Green Falcons in October 2024 but was sacked in mid-April. 

His replacement Georgios Donis has only had three friendlies to prepare, hardly ideal. They lost 2-1 to Ecuador, beat Puerto Rico 3-0 and drew 0-0 with Senegal. 

That said, they could spring a surprise against Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay when the sides meet in Miami. 

The infamous Bielsa-ball isn't quite as cut-throat on the international stage. 

While this team has all the usual hallmarks of a Bielsa side - high pressing, lots of shots and tackles - it blends it with the typically stoic Uruguayian defence. 

Pre-Copa America 2024, Uruguay were great in qualification, beating Argentina at the La Bombonera and Brazil at home and only losing one of six games (W4 D1). 

At the Copa America, they made it to the semi's but when they returned to their qualification campaign, results took a nose dive (W3 D6 L3). And yet, they could still have finished second if they beat Chile in their last fixture. 

They didn't play any friendlies heading into the tournament, they most recently drew with England and Algeria in March, which makes getting a read on them tricky.

And at 2/51.40 on with the Sportsbook, I wouldn't be in a hurry to back them to win here.

Iran v New Zealand Tip - Back a snooze-fest

Click here for Iran v New Zealand odds
Tuesday, 02:00
Live on BBC

Asian powerhouse Iran breezed through qualification but the political situation engulfing their country casts a shadow over their chances at the World Cup. 

They were supposed to set up camp in the States but they've gone to Mexico and their domestic league, the Persian Gulf Pro League, has been suspended since the end of February. 

With most of their squad plying their trade there, questions have to be asked over fitness levels.

They play New Zealand in Los Angeles.

The All Whites are the lowest ranked nation at the finals (85th) and only have a pool of around 60 professional players to pick from. 

Much of their hopes hinge on all-time appearance and goalscorer Chris Wood, but he has had an injury ravaged season, only starting one game in qualification during the 25/26 season.

They lost by an aggregate scoreline of 5-0 in their two friendlies with Haiti and England heading into the tournament. 

At 7/18.00, I'll be having a small play on no first goalscorer with the Sportsbook. 

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

Check out all of our World Cup 2026 betting tips and previews here