World Cup Accumulator Tips

Wednesday delivered some of the most dramatic action of the World Cup so far. England survived a huge scare against DR Congo, falling behind and then seeing the underdogs strike the post with the score still 1-0. Harry Kane eventually rescued the Three Lions, equalising before producing a superb winner four minutes from time to set up a last-16 meeting with co-hosts Mexico.

That tie brings an extra challenge. The match will be played at the Azteca Stadium, more than 7,200 feet above sea level, with England only due to arrive around two days beforehand. Research generally suggests athletes need at least a week, and often longer, to properly acclimatise to that altitude.

Belgium's comeback was even more astonishing. They trailed Senegal 2-0 with five minutes remaining before substitute Romelu Lukaku sparked the fightback. Youri Tielemans levelled in the 89th minute and then converted an extra-time penalty to complete an extraordinary turnaround.

Spain will hope for a more routine evening as they begin their knockout campaign against Austria. Ralf Rangnick's side barely laid a glove on Argentina during the group stage and will need a significant improvement if they are to trouble another of the tournament favourites.

The other two fixtures on Thursday's slate look slightly harder to call. Portugal meet Croatia in Toronto, before Switzerland take on Algeria in the late game in Vancouver.

There is potential for a Spain vs Portugal last 16 tie, in what would be a heavyweight clash at such an early stage of the competition. That said, the same was also true with Germany and France, but the Germans lost to Paraguay on penalties.

France’s outright odds continue to shorten. They’re now 37/20 to win the World Cup, with Argentina at 4/1. The market is seemingly unimpressed with England, who are out to 8/1.

Throughout the tournament, World Cup tipster Ben Smith has been providing our 2026 World Cup betting tips with a daily acca using BetMGM odds, focusing on player props, shots, cards and other stats-based markets rather than traditional match result and total goals betting.

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Spain v Austria - Marcel Sabitzer Over 1.5 Shots (6/5)

If Austria are to have any chance against Spain, Marcel Sabitzer will need to be heavily involved.

He remains their most important all-round player under Ralf Rangnick, offering pressing, passing, creativity and a genuine shooting threat. His international numbers reflect that, with Sabitzer averaging 2.76 efforts per 90, well above his usual output for Borussia Dortmund.

Austria may be able to frustrate Spain for a while, as Cape Verde did earlier in the tournament, but with Lamine Yamal now fully fit, I expect La Roja to find a way through eventually.

If that happens, Austria will have to open up and Sabitzer should be central to any response.

Portugal v Croatia - Nikola Vlasic Over 1.5 Fouls (27/20)

Nuno Mendes is one of the world's best full-backs at drawing fouls. His ability to surge forward with the ball and turn defence into attack makes him a constant problem for opponents.

He's already won 2, 4 and 3 fouls at this World Cup, comfortably above his average of 1.82 per 90, so the obvious place to look is the fouls line for his direct opponent.

That is likely to be Nikola Vlasic, who started on Croatia's right against Ghana. He committed two fouls in that match and averages 1.39 per 90.

The matchup is simply too good to ignore and, with over 1.5 fouls available at odds against, it earns a place in the acca.

Switzerland v Austria - Johan Manzambi and Breel Embolo to Score or Assist (5/1)

Switzerland could hardly have made a worse start to the World Cup, dropping points against Qatar despite being priced at odds-on to win with ease.

They responded emphatically by thrashing Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1, with 20-year-old Johan Manzambi announcing himself on the world stage. The midfielder came off the bench to score twice, earning a start against Canada, where he found the net again.

Breel Embolo has also enjoyed an impressive tournament. He set up Manzambi against Canada after registering both a goal against Qatar and an assist versus Bosnia.

The pair have quickly developed an understanding whenever they've shared the pitch, and at 5/1 it may only take one Swiss goal involving both players for this leg to land.

Accumulator Odds 27/1

Sabitzer should become increasingly influential if Austria are forced onto the front foot, Nuno Mendes' attacking runs make Vlasic's fouls line stand out, while Switzerland's in-form partnership of Manzambi and Embolo can continue the understanding they've already shown in this tournament.

These selections create a 27/1 acca with BetMGM.

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