2:00 PM Marc Lawrence World Cup Day 22: 5* Kill Play! Tuesday July 10 - $45

Marc’s eye-opening 22-9-1 winning run in the World Cup continues in Tuesday’s semifinal clash between Belgium and France with another 5* Kill Play. You know exactly what to do! 

Play On: France and Belgium to go over 2 goals

Note:  This is a meeting between two of the World Cup’s most entertaining teams. There is a lot at stake on the pitch in St. Petersburg as the winner will move on to play in Sunday’s championship game against either Croatia or England. While most teams would take a cautious approach to such an important match, there is a good chance these two nations will be crashing each other’s penalty area from start to finish. Especially, Belgium, which teamed with Brazil last week to play one of the most wide-open games in World Cup history. France isn’t bashful, either, so look for a very entertaining affair. It’s a shame that one of these squads have to lose, because they are probably the best two teams in the tournament. We recommend a 5-unit wager on France and Belgium to go over 2 goals. Thank you and good luck as always.

> > Marc’s super-hot winning run in the World Cup rolls on in Wednesday’s semifinal clash between Croatia and England with another Monster Play. Best of all it’s locked and loaded now – go get it! 

2:00 PM Marc Lawrence World Cup Day 23: Monster Play! -  Wednesday July 11 - $40    

Marc’s super-hot winning run in the World Cup rolls on in Wednesday’s semifinal clash between Croatia and England with another Monster Play. Best of all it’s locked and loaded now – go get it!

Play On: England (-0.5 goals +125) to defeat Croatia

Note: Is three days of rest enough for Croatia after it played 120 minutes and a round of penalty kicks against Russia on Saturday? Maybe, maybe not. There is doubt because just six days earlier, Croatia played 120 minutes and entertained penalty kicks in defeating Denmark. Even if the Croatians aren’t still feeling the effects of four hours of knockout round soccer, they don’t seem to have the flair for attack that England possesses. The Brits looked sharp in beating Sweden in the quarterfinals and appear headed for their first final since the won the whole ball of wax back in 1966 on home soil. They are a relaxed bunch that seems to enjoy the journey. Not so sure the same can be said for the weary Croatians. We recommend a strong 4-unit wager on England (-0.5 goals) to defeat Croatia. Thank you and good luck as always. 

Play On: Russia (plus 0.5 goals) to defeat Croatia

Note: Is Croatia wearing down? It started quickly in Group D, shutting out Nigeria and then blasting Argentina, but since then, it needed a 90-minute goal to beat Iceland, and then had to go to penalties to get past Denmark. Even if the Russians are also tiring, at least they are on home soil and will get a jolt or two from the crowd in Sochi that will be overwhelmingly pulling for the upstart heroes. Russia is on a confident high after taking pre-tournament favorite Spain to penalties and then, in a showdown of nerves, outshot them 4-3 to make the quarterfinals. A victory today and Russia will have the opportunity to play twice more, with the semi-final and final matches in Moscow. That’s incentive enough for the Russians to prevail and the Croats to choke. We recommend a 4-unit wager on Russia (plus 0.5 goals) to defeat Croatia. Thank you and good luck as always.

Play On: France to defeat Uruguay (-0.5 goal spread bet)

Note: This corner has always been a big fan of South American soccer. Passion combined with patience on the ball in Argentina, Brazil and Colombia has always made for a good show. Watching little Uruguay (population 3.4 million) move its way through the left side of the World Cup bracket has been entertaining, but the end may be in sight for La Celeste (The Sky Blues). France, also a shade of blue (It is known as Les Bleus) was very impressive in defeating Argentina, 4-3 in the Round of 16. The speed of Kylian Mbappe was truly something to watch. It should be again today in this first of the quarterfinal matches. France may prove too young and too quick for the deliberate and aging Uruguayans.  We recommend a strong 7-unit wager on France to win. Thank you and good luck as always.

> > Sit back in your easy chair and enjoy Marc’s Top Rated 10* Crush Play on Friday’s World Cup Quarterfinals... you’ll be glad you did!

Play On: Belgium minus 1.5 goals to defeat Japan

Note: I know the soccer gods won’t like this, but at the risk of being dead wrong, this has the look of a mismatch. Japan is not in Belgium’s class, even though it qualified for the Round of 16 just like the other 15 teams. But in attempting to understand how upstart Japan has arrived at this crossword, it’s important to turn back to its first Group H qualifier against Colombia. In just the third minute of play, Carlos Sanchez of the South American club was shown a straight red card for a hand ball that resulted in a penalty shot and a goal. Colombia battled back to tie the match before failing to overcome the personnel shortage. The 2-1 victory flattered Japan.  A full strength Belgium will show no mercy and gets the nod to have an enjoyable day on the pitch. We recommend a 10-unit wager on Belgium to beat Japan by at least two goals. Thank you and good luck as always.   

Play On: Brazil MINUS 1-goal to defeat Serbia

Note: This could get ugly. Brazil likes to play the “beautiful game” while Serbia is a more of a rough and tumble outfit. A draw could get both teams through to the Round of 16, but only if Switzerland is upset by Costa Rica. Stranger things have happened, but the focus for Brazil should be on running away from Serbia and getting the early advantage. If the Brazilians can score first, they should be off to the races. But if Serbia stuns the Moscow gathering with the match’s first goal, be ready for an ankle-biting affair with the Serbs retreating to a defensive shell. Here’s hoping the beautiful game of Brazil can outrun its rivals. We recommend a strong 7-unit wager on Brazil, MINUS 1-goal, to defeat Serbia. Thank you and good luck as always.        

Play On: Iran +1 goal to defeat Portugal 

Note: Every World Cup features an upset or two in the final round of qualifying matches and this could be the perfect spot for one. Iran, if it defeats Portugal, will advance to the Round of 16, sending Ronaldo, the tournament’s best player, on vacation earlier than he anticipated. The Iranians played well against Spain, losing 1-0 and were unlucky not to get a point out of the match. Portugal wasn’t that impressive against Morocco and should have its hands full this afternoon. We recommend taking a goal on a 7-unit wager and looking for Iran to make it stand for a winning afternoon for punters. Thank you and good luck as always.

> > Marc’s Monster Mash on Monday’s World Cup card is yours for the taking.  Don’t miss out – get it now!

Play On: Spain minus 1.5 goals to defeat Morocco 

Note: Morocco is already eliminated from advancing to the Round of 16, so all it has to play for today is pride against neighbor Spain. That probably won’t be enough for the Moroccans to get a good result. Spain needs this match to move on as the Group B winners. As one of the tournament’s favorites, the Spaniards figure to put the pedal to the floor and spank Morocco. A triumph will in all probability set them up for a knockout match with host Russia. That’s a good route to the quarterfinals, a roadmap not lost on the Spain brain trust. We recommend making a strong 7-unit wager, laying 1.5 goals, on Spain to roll. Thank you and good luck as always. 

> > If you like World Cup games with well-lit scoreboards then Marc’s Overwhelming Play is just the play for you on Tuesday’s card.  Don’t miss it!    

Play On: Uruguay to defeat Russia

Note: No country has scored as many goals as the Russians through two matches. Their eight goals are three more than the closest pursuing sharpshooter, Croatia.  That said, Uruguay, Russia’s rival today, has yet to allow a single goal. The contract should set up quite the battle to determine which of the two tops Group A. In a matchup of two teams each advancing to the Knockout Stage, a low scoring defensive struggle looks to be in the offing and that should favor Uruguay.  By the way, the prize for winning today may not be much better than the consolation for losing. Waiting for both are probably Spain or Ronaldo’s Portugal in the Round of the 16. We recommend a 10-unit wager on Uruguay to win. Thank you and good luck as always. 

> > Marc’s Super Stunner on Monday’s World Cup card is right on the money.  Best of all it’s yours – if you act now!

Play On: England -1.5 goals over Panama

Note: If Panama plays as poorly as it did against Belgium (losing 3-0) this match could get out of hand early on. England worked hard for its 2-1 victory over Tunisia in its first Group G date, but Tunisia is a much better squad than its given credit for. That result that should elevate England to a ranking as one of this World Cup’s better units and a showdown match with Belgium next Thursday, a showdown for supremacy in the group’s final positioning. If Harry Kane has on his shooting boots (he scored both goals against Tunisia) he could single-handily erase the today’s two-goal spread. It’s doubtful that Panama can get one in the net, so cashing this bet will rest solely on the British. We recommend a 7-unit wager on England to beat Panama by two or more goals. Thank you and good luck as always.

> > Marc’s Tug Of War Special Play on Sundays’ World Cup will keep you glued to the match from start to finish. Hurry, get it now!

Play On: Germany (-1 goal) to defeat Sweden

Note: The last time Germany lost back-to-back matches in a World Cup finals was in 1958 and it really wasn’t Germany, but West Germany. Since then, the Germans have played more than 80 matches without walking off the field losers in consecutive outings. That’s a good yardstick for attempting to measure Germany’s chances of bouncing back from its 1-0 loss to Mexico in the opening round of Group F play. Sweden already has three points on the board, thanks to its 1-0 score over South Korea.  This could be a wide-open affair with a handful of goals. But in the end Germany, fighting for its World Cup life, should prevail. We recommend a 4-unit wager on the Germans (-1 goal) to defeat Sweden. Thank you and as always good luck.

Play On: Belgium (-1.5 goals) to defeat Tunisia

Note: Tunisia gave England a scare in their Group G opening match on Monday. In fact, the North Africans had the British tied entering injury time. But a glaring error cost them a share of the points when England’s Harry Kane headed in the winning goal. Kane is a capable striker, but somehow Tunisia left him totally unmarked in the penalty area. Such sloppiness could make for a big headache today as Belgium has much more firepower than England and could pile up the goals if it gets on a roll. Belgium showed Panama no mercy in bouncing them 3-0 last Monday. Another strong showing by the Belgians will give them even more confidence and strengthen everyone else’s belief that they are one of the favorites to reach the World Cup finals. We recommend a 4-unit wager on Belgium (-1.5 goals) to defeat Tunisia. Thank you and, as always, good luck.

> > Marc’s Overwhelming Dominator Play on Saturday’s World Cup card is a dandy.  Get it now – don’t miss out!