2026 World Cup Picks & Predictions: Saturday (6/20)
There are four more World Cup games being played today, and I'm making picks for three of them. Below, I explain why the Netherlands and Sweden will both explode offensively, why Germany and the Ivory Coast may not be as exciting as people hope and why Curaçao has no chance of scoring against Ecuador. Here are the best 2026 World Cup picks for Saturday, June 20th.
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Saturday’s Best 2026 World Cup Picks & Predictions
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Netherlands vs. Sweden
If you look at the recent results for both of these teams, it won't be hard to figure out why I expect plenty of goals in this match. Sweden has played in five consecutive games featuring at least four goals. That includes three competitive matches.
While Sweden has been solid offensively, their defense has been terrible at times. The Swedes allowed three goals to Norway on June 1st, and they've allowed multiple goals in two of their last five competitive matches.
The Netherlands just scored twice against Japan, and after scoring multiple times in four of their last qualifying matches, there's no doubt they're one of the best offensive teams in the world.
With how much the Swedish defense has struggled at times, I could see the Netherlands scoring four times on its own. However, I'll bet on over 3.5 total goals at a great price.
Pick: Over 3.5 goals (+220)
Germany vs. Ivory Coast
Germany's 7-1 victory looks more impressive than the Ivory Coast's 1-0 win, but I'd argue that what the Ivory Coast was able to pull off was far more noteworthy. Scoring once against Ecuador is no easy task. And though they didn't find the back of the net until the end of the game, they had quite a few opportunities throughout.
While Germany demolished Curaçao, that was to be expected. I'm not taking anything away from the Germans, but I think we'll see what they're really made of in this match. However, I also think both teams are very happy with where they stand after their first games, especially Germany, and I wouldn't be surprised if this were a slow-moving game.
Because of how advancement from the group stage works this year, eight third-place teams will advance. Germany currently has a goal differential of +6, so even if the Germans went 0-1-1 in their next two games, they'd surely advance.
Meanwhile, the Ivory Coast is sitting on three points with a game against Curaçao on the horizon. A draw is enough for both of these squads, so I'll take this great price, even though Germany is the more talented side.
Pick: Draw (+360)
Ecuador vs. Curaçao
After Curaçao’s 7-1 loss to Germany, it's no surprise to see the prices for some of my favorite bets listed at very high prices. However, while the prices aren't exciting, I'm essentially looking at my two plays for this match as locks, so I have no problem risking a little more than usual for smaller paydays.
Ecuador might be the best defensive team at this World Cup. They held the Ivory Coast scoreless until the 90th minute, only to lose heartbreakingly in their first match. But this is a team that hasn't allowed more than a single goal in 24 consecutive matches. That streak includes competitive games against Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Uruguay, the Netherlands, Mexico and the U.S.
While I firmly believe Ecuador will win in a shutout, I'm slightly less confident in them scoring more than 2.5 goals. However, they scored three times in their final match before the World Cup, and they desperately need to score goals to get a good goal differential number ahead of their match with Germany.
This is simply terrible timing for a Curaçao side that has lost by three or more goals in three of its last four matches. This could get very ugly.
Pick: Ecuador to Win in Shutout (-215) & Ecuador -2.5 (+100)
Phil Wood is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Phil, check out his archive and follow him @Phil_Wood_Jr.