World Cup Betting Tips Today: Predictions & Best Bets for July 19th

We've made it to the World Cup final and it should be an absolute belter as Spain and Argentina put their unbeaten records on the line. The European champions have won six of their seven matches to reach the final, conceding just one goal all tournament. The reigning champions have had to fight incredibly hard, coming back against Egypt and England to earn their spot in New York.

So will Spain dominate the world after conquering Europe two years ago or will Argentina become just the third nation ever to win back-to-back World Cup titles?

Our tipster, Nathan Joyes, who's been here from the very first round looks to piece together the puzzle and see who will be crowned the 2026 winners. Read his World Cup tips below.

Spain and Argentina

After Spain drew 0-0 with Cape Verde, it's safe to say they didn't look like they would go on to be crowned world champions. However, with this expanded format, they've had time to grow and that's exactly what they have done this tournament. The group stage may not have gone entirely to plan, but Luis de la Fuente didn't panic and his team excelled during the knockout stage.

Wins against Austria, Portugal, Belgium and France followed - where only Belgium were able to breach their defence - the only goal they have conceded all tournament. Ruthless in front of goal yet sturdy at the back, Spain are a team that have grown into champions over the course of the summer.

But they saved their best for earlier in the week when they were the underdogs against France yet brushed them to one side with ease. France, the second highest goalscorers behind Argentina, were not allowed to find their rhythm and they left the pitch stunned with how well Spain played.

And so its over to Argentina to try and stop them. If any nation can disrupt their flow, it might well be the South Americans.

However, Lionel Scaloni's side haven't convinced in the knockout stage. The group was easy for the world champions, who qualified top and with maximum points. Yet the knockout stage was far from smooth.

Argentina had their own problems against Cape Verde - conceding two and taking them to extra time. The Swiss also forced Argentina to extra-time, while Egypt almost caught them out after going 2-0 up.

And while Argentina also fought back against England, their full-backs were exposed once more and that is where Spain can have plenty of joy. They lack pace, concentration and they are two red flags coming up against Spain's wingers.

Both arguably deserve to be here within their right, but Spain look far more solid at both ends of the pitch, and no doubt Rodri will be Messi's shadow throughout the 90 minutes.

If Spain play as they did against France, the European champions can come out on top and finish as World Cup winners and potentially bag yet another clean sheet.

With that in mind, I'm backing Spain to win at 5/4 with BetMGM.

It's crazy to think that Lamine Yamal has yet to register a goal at this World Cup - but does that mean he's not worth supporting in the final? Absolutely not. He scored against France, cutting inside onto his preferred left before firing home, only to be a fraction offside.

Once again, coming up against full-backs that have been Argentina's Achilles Heel for quite some time, Yamal should get plenty of joy on either flank. His pace and close dribbling can trouble anyone on his day, and Nicolas Tagliafico, who has been tasked with supporting the attack, may be caught out of position.

This match feels as though its a changing of the guard situation. Lionel Messi will play his last game for Argentina, and while Yamal is settled for both Spain and Barcelona, it's now his time to shine and take over from the world's greatest.

Argentina will struggle to handle him, and Yamal's price is rather generous considering who he is coming up against. He might be the hero in the final as Spain look to lift the trophy.

Therefore I'm backing Lamine Yamal to score at 13/5 with BetMGM.