World Cup acca tips (3 July): AI’s 8/1 vs pro’s 4/1

THE Round of 32 reaches its conclusion as the final six nations take to the field in pursuit of the last three places in the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup.

I’m contractually obliged to tell you this could be the final time we see Lionel Messi at a World Cup. I mean, it obviously won’t be because Argentina are playing Cape Verde, but I thought I’d get that one in before Mark Pougatch inevitably mentions it.

Before that, Egypt and Australia do battle in Dallas for the honour of being knocked out by Argentina in the next round, while Colombia and Ghana bring the curtain down on the inaugural Round of 32. What a ride it’s been.

As usual, I’m out here on the battlefield trying to stop AI Football Predictions from taking over the world. Except instead of dodging bullets and shrapnel, I’m avoiding naff BTTS shouts and card-shy referees.

If you’d like to keep track of this battle between The Sun’s finest tipster and a gang of heartless tipping machines, take a look at the table below and see how we’re getting on.

🙋‍♂️ Quick look at tipster’s World Cup acca tips (3 July)

• Australia vs Egypt – Both teams to score (NO) at 7/11
• Argentina vs Cape Verde – Argentina over 2.5 team goals at 19/20
• Colombia vs Ghana – Under 2.5 goals at 16/25

✍️ Bet on our recommended acca treble at Playzee with total odds of 4/1

🤖 Quick look at Acca-Bot’s World Cup acca tips (3 July)

• Australia vs Egypt – Nestory Irankunda anytime goalscorer at 3/1
• Argentina vs Cape Verde – Argentina -1.5 at 10/19
• Colombia vs Ghana – Colombia to win at 12/25

🧮 Acca-Bot’s treble at Playzee with total odds of 8/1

The pro’s picks – Friday 3rd July 2026

It’s the final Round of 32 slate, which means one last chance for me to make life difficult for our silicon-based friend. 

After today, there’ll be just 16 matches left at the 2026 World Cup. That’s sad because it’s flown by, but encouraging because I might finally be able to stop thinking about BTTS trends in Cape Verde friendlies dating back to 2019.

Australia vs Egypt – Both teams to score (NO) at 7/11

Friday night’s action starts with a bang. Sorry, bore, as two sides seeking their first-ever World Cup knockout win meet in Texas.

I think it’s fair to say the Aussies have been a tough watch so far.

Games involving Tony Popovic’s side have all ended with two goals or fewer, while Australia have generated the lowest expected goals of any team left in the tournament, other than Paraguay. And it’s no fluke. Only two of Australia’s last nine matches have seen both teams score, while they’ve kept four clean sheets in their last six World Cup outings.

Egypt have been a little more adventurous, but against the Aussies, in a game of this magnitude, I can see us all begging for penalties after about 20 minutes.

➡️ Bet on Both teams to score (NO) at 7/11 with Playzee

Argentina vs Cape Verde – Argentina over 2.5 team goals at 19/20

Sorry folks, but Cape Verde’s fairytale ends here – and probably in brutal fashion. Holders Argentina aren’t the type to mess around in these types of matches and will, in all likelihood, get the job done before half-time.

The draw has really opened up for Argentina, who could face the winner of Australia vs Egypt in the next round and then one of Switzerland, Algeria, Colombia or Ghana in the quarter-finals. So the reward is obvious.

There’s also another reason for wanting to fill their boots, and that’s Lionel Messi. He only just claimed the tournament’s all-time goalscoring record, but it’s already under threat from Kylian Mbappe. Messi has 19, Mbappe has 18, so opening up a bit of daylight will be an incentive.

Furthermore, one of the only personal honours still missing from Messi’s collection is the Golden Boot, and again, that’s looking like it’ll go right to the wire.

➡️ Argentina over 2.5 team goals at 19/20 with Playzee

Colombia vs Ghana – Under 2.5 goals at 16/25

Prepare yourselves for a battle, folks. Neither of these sides will be going quietly. My favourite selection here would actually be over 3.5 cards at 24/25 in a clash that’s bound to feature tactical fouls, frustration and plenty of physicality – but the rules of this contest against the robot mean I have to look elsewhere.

I’m not too upset about that because under 2.5 goals also looks extremely likely to land. That’s primarily because neither side has been particularly goal-friendly of late.

Colombia’s last two World Cup matches have produced a grand total of one goal, while four of Ghana’s last five have seen two goals or fewer. Despite registering a tournament-low 15 shots and only four on target, Carlos Queiroz certainly won’t be abandoning his defence-first approach now.

➡️ Choose Under 2.5 goals at 16/25 with Playzee

AI picks for Friday 3rd July 2026

Neither me nor the robot will be booking any trips to Scandinavia in the near future. Norway, and Erling Haaland in particular, spoiled my 8/1 shout, while Sweden’s failure to score against France cost the AI a tidy win that would’ve left me on the ropes heading into the final stretch.

Still, good to see my voodoo doll is working. Will the machine recalibrate and come back stronger? Here are its picks for today and, as usual, I’ll cast an eye over what it’s selected and explain why I either agree or think it’s talking complete nonsense.

Australia vs Egypt – Nestory Irankunda anytime goalscorer at 3/1

That’s what we like to see! The robot’s gone down the goalscorer route to kick things off, and at a tidy price too. Five of the six AI models have predicted Nestory Irankunda will find the net. Fair enough.

If Australia are going to find a breakthrough, he’s probably the most likely culprit. He’ll need to be clinical, though, with chances likely to be few and far between.

Argentina vs Cape Verde – Argentina -1.5 at 10/19

No prizes for guessing the robot fancies Argentina. Seven of the 11 AI models are backing the holders to cover a -1.5 handicap, which is a little less ambitious than my pick of over 2.5 team goals but points in the same direction.

If Lionel Messi turns it on, there’s every chance we’ll both end up in the winner’s enclosure.

Colombia vs Ghana – Colombia to win at 12/25

The machine finishes with one of its strongest consensus picks of the day. Every single one of the seven AI models is backing Colombia to win inside 90 minutes.

I actually agree, but I’d much rather rely on the lack of goals at a better price than back Colombia at 12/25 in what looks a really awkward knockout tie.

The World Cup verdict and tally – Friday 3rd July 2026

The robot’s clearly had enough of me accusing it of shopping exclusively in the odds-on aisle. My constant digs about prices seem to have filtered through after a reboot. An 8.03/1 treble is a solid swing, while I’ve gone in at a relatively restrained 4.24/1.

What do we think then: bravery or desperation? Either way, I’ll actually be pleased if the bot’s treble lands. It’s all been a little too sensible around here lately.

Bettor	Accas landed	Profit (units)	ROI	Singles landed	Profit per single (units)	ROI
Tipster	4 of 24	+28.9u	+120%	45 of 84	+1.6u	+2%
Acca-Bot	4 of 24	+7.3u	+30%	52 of 84	+8.8u	+10%

Record updated on 1st July. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Please bet responsibly.

Read more of our 2026 World Cup betting coverage

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