World Cup Semi Final Player Props
The quarter-finals weren’t exactly packed full of excitement, with lots of tentative play and many nervous players on show, though we still saw some impressive individual efforts. Not for the first time at this tournament, Kylian Mbappe found the net as the French booked their place in the last four, scoring for the third game in a row, while Jude Bellingham played the role of leader for the English, scoring two more hugely important goals. Who will come to the fore during the semis?
In addition to the player props detailed below, before the semi finals take place, don’t forget to check out all of our World Cup picks.
Michael Olise +1 Shots on Target (-105)
Michael Olise is yet to score for France at this World Cup, and it’s definitely true that he's been the key creator for Les Bleus, providing an impressive six assists. However, the Bayern Munich wizard has not been shy to shoot, so we shouldn’t underestimate him from a shot-on-target point of view. Odds of -105 look like a slight underestimation.
Only Kylian Mbappe has taken more shots for France at this World Cup than Michael Olise, who has fired off 17 shots in six appearances, taking an average of 3.15 shots per 90 minutes. He’s also averaging 0.93 shots on target per 90 minutes.
Alex Baena to Be Shown a Card (+285)
At odds of +285, it’s also worth betting on Spaniard Alex Baena to pick up a card against the French.
So far, Baena has been carded just once at this tournament, but it won’t be the greatest surprise if the feisty forward goes into the book once more before his nation returns home, whenever that may be. No player has made more fouls per 90 minutes for Spain at this tournament, with Baena averaging 2.2 fouls per 90 minutes.
It’s also fair to say that Baena is a frequent offender, picking up an average of 0.30 cards per 90 minutes across the last two LaLiga seasons, often getting himself into the most trouble in the biggest games. Games don’t come much bigger than this, that’s for sure.
Jude Bellingham 1+ Shots on Target (-145)
Nobody has tried to push the Three Lions towards glory more than Jude Bellingham, who has been fiercely determined to make a difference in the final third, and make a difference he has, scoring no less than six goals at this World Cup.
Given how dangerous Bellingham has been, especially in the knockouts, it’s quite ridiculous that he’s available at -145 to register a shot on target. In places, he’s -200 and that could easily be -250, let’s be honest. After all, we’re talking about a guy who has taken 17 shots in six appearances at this tournament, registering an impressive 1.93 shots on target per 90 minutes.
Jude Bellingham to Be Shown a Card (+310)
Very much an all-action player, Jude Bellingham is going to be key for the English once again, and it will be his forward drive and final-third ability that we see most, but we may also see some play that goes beyond the rules of the game from the 22-year-old, who certainly plays with plenty of bite.
Bellingham is no stranger to flying in hard and making rugged tackles, especially in big games of this nature, and we’ve already seen that he’s someone who has a cheap yellow in the locker at this tournament.
England’s joint top scorer was booked against DR Congo during the Round-of-32 and has since had to be a little careful, though as all yellows were wiped after the quarters, the tenacious attacker can now play with more freedom. Don’t be surprised if that freedom leads to him picking up a card, which could easily be priced shorter than +310.
