2025 WCOD Saturday Afternoon Preview – JP
2025 WCOD Saturday Afternoon Preview
James Punt landed some tasty Group winning bets yesterday, including South Africa at 6.50 and the Philippines at 7.00. His 2025 WCOD Saturday Afternoon previews and tips are below.
Knockout Stage
The short format group stage matches are behind us now and these second round matches are best of fifteen legs. In theory, that should lower the likelihood of the outsiders being able to pull off a hit and run win.
In theory, maybe, but looking back at last year we saw Croatia beating Wales (it was a Welsh side missing Gerwyn Price) and Italy beating Australia. 2023 didn’t see much in the way of surprises and we are at the stage of the tournament were the cream starts to rise. It is a bit of a change of mind set. From looking for good value outsiders, to looking for likely winners at acceptable odds. It isn’t as much fun from here on in.
We have two sessions today with four matches in each, before a busy final day tomorrow.
Malaysia vs. Czech Republic
The Czechs made the second round last year, losing 6-8 to Sweden. They had come through a weak group, a very weak group, and got found out by a modest performance by the Swedes. This year they have a different team with Gawlas being replaced by the dentally challenged Petr Křivka. I would say that they are a better team for it. That said, I don’t see them making much progress, but there is a quarter final place very much up for grabs.
Malaysia are a surprise package. They have played OK, but caught Canada on an off day and yesterday’s match vs Denmark was equally easy. They have not had much coming back at them.
The Czech Republic are the 1.60 favourites and it would be a moderate surprise if they did not win. Sedlacek has been OK so far and he has more to offer, while Petr Křivka is a bit intimidating and in your face.
The Czechs are unlikely to pummel their opponents but should be good enough to cover a -1.5 handicap.
2025 WCOD Saturday Afternoon Tip: 1 point Czech Republic to win -1.5 legs @ 2.07 with Livescorebet
Hong Kong vs. Sweden
We were lucky to land the Swedish group win bet. They really do not deserve to be in the second round. Their doubling has been atrocious. They missed 17 doubles against France yesterday, lost the match but got through on leg difference. On Thursday they were fine on the doubles and got lucky in that Lithuania were terrible on their doubles. Let’s just say that Sweden have not impressed me.
Hong Kong came through a very easy group, beating the USA 4-1 and Bahrain 4-0. Nice little warm up matches. They have been OK so far and decent against Bahrain, averaging 88.41.
The market is finding it hard to split these two with Hong Kong the marginal 2.10 outsiders and Sweden 2.00. Sweden have reached this stage for the last two years and beat Canada 8-5 in 2023, and the Czech Republic 8-6 last year.
My head says that Hong Kong should win, but the odds are only fair at best. No bet.
2025 WCOD Saturday Afternoon Tip: No Bet
Switzerland vs. Ireland
Ireland were actually even luckier to win their group than the Swedes. They didn’t even win on leg difference, but on total legs won against throw. All three teams in the group finished on two points and 0 leg difference. Ireland lost 2-4 to China yesterday and dropped two legs to Gibraltar on Thursday. That is hardly inspiring form. In the history of the WCoD, Ireland have only got beyond this stage once.
Switzerland were another team to win their group by winning just one match but, like Sweden, they won on leg difference. Switzerland played well to beat a disappointing Japan last night. I thought Japan were good enough to land our group bet, but not so. The Swiss were poor against Croatia but still managed to take them to a deciding leg, which ultimately won them the group.
Ireland have the better team, on paper, and their tournament average is four points higher than the Swiss. But, much like Sweden, they have not impressed. They have got lucky with the draw, however.
Ireland are 1.33 favourites, which is very short given how ordinary they have played. Switzerland are the 3.65 outsiders which is tempting, but let’s face it, they are no great shakes.
Switzerland +2.5 legs @ 2.00 makes some appeal, but not enough. No bet.
2025 WCOD Saturday Afternoon Tip: No bet
Northern Ireland vs. South Africa
I have been quite impressed by South Africa. Carolissen has a great throw. They are yet another team to win a group by winning just one match and they have only averaged 77.87. That is unlikely to cut it against Rock and Gurney.
This is the first outing for the Rock- Gurney partnership, Rock played with Dolan last year and beat South Africa 4-1 in the group stage (Petersen wasn’t playing) and they reached the quarter final stage.
Northern Ireland are coming into this cold while South Africa has already played a couple of matches and at least have a feel for the venue etc.
I expect that Northern Ireland will be too strong for South Africa, but it might not be all one way traffic. Northern Ireland are the 1.15 favourites, South Africa 6.00. I will have a small bet on a correct score.
