World Cup Betting Tips Today: Predictions & Best Bets for July 18th

The World Cup playoff match to determine who finishes 3rd takes place on Saturday between France and England. Both nations will be down after losing their semi-finals but which one will pick themselves up and take home a medal? France have been solid all tournament long, winning six of their seven matches, while England have rode their luck at times and a rotated side may struggle with the French front line.

Our World Cup tipster Nathan Joyes is back for the penultimate time and has provided his two best bets for this clash. Read his World Cup tips below.

France vs England

At this point, both France and England would prefer to check out of their hotels and head home. Sadly for both, there's still one more match to play, whether they like it or not.

It's certainly a match that divides opinion, and there has so often been nations who have almost thrown this fixture away before in the past. However, that might not be the French who will be keen to end on a high - and there's a couple of reasons to back them.

Having won six of their seven matches to date, an almost flawless France have really caught the eye this summer. The reason why they have been so successful has been down to the depth of their squad. While other nations tire and weaken with changes, France remain as strong as when they started.

The likes of Man City's Rayan Cherki has barely featured, while PSG's Desire Doue would have liked more minutes. Both may well start.

England, on the other hand, are lacking a little in terms of depth. With a day less to prepare, and with plenty of individuals on their knees against Argentina, it's highly likely Thomas Tuchel will make plenty of changes.

Declan Rice is arguably going to be one dropped after being ill less than a week ago, while the defence may be rotated, and while Dan Burn has been excellent in the air, it's difficult to know how well he'll do on the ground against the likes of Doue, Cherki and Mbappe.

Motivation may be lacking, but the French have the overall quality to shine through, and at almost evens they are worth backing against a leggy looking England side.

With that in mind, I'm backing France to win at 10/11 with BetMGM.

My second selection is all around incentive. Kylian Mbappe would have preferred to get his hands on the World Cup trophy - especially after what happened in Qatar - but he can steal the Golden Boot away from Lionel Messi if he outscores the Argentine on Saturday.

Mbappe has been electric all summer. With eight goals, including a brace in three of those matches, the Real Madrid forward will want to edge out Messi in his final match. There's no doubt the 27-year-old will be highly motivated to start and finish the job - especially if England choose to rotate.

Let's not forget, Tuchel's side have only kept two clean sheets from a possible seven at the World Cup (Ghana and Panama). Their defence simply hasn't delivered.

Throw in the fact England are likely to make changes to their back line, the chemistry might not be there, and Mbappe will look to pounce - whether in play or from the penalty spot. Although a shade odds-on, Mbappe has scored in six of his seven matches and he's one of few players who will be motivated in this match and that gives him - and us - an advantage on Saturday.

Therefore I'm backing Kylian Mbappe to score at 5/6 with BetMGM.