Sports Handicapper Tom Macrina's Picks & Predictions

Both sides have shown a clear tendency to get involved in open, goal-filled affairs lately. Ten of the last 13 combined international matches involving Croatia or Panama have cleared the 2.5-goal mark, and that trend looks primed to continue here.
Panama’s backline has historically struggled against higher-quality attacks, and the recent evidence is damning — they shipped six goals to Brazil just last month. With a draw doing very little for either team in this group-stage scenario, expect the game to open up significantly once the first goal goes in. Neither side can afford to sit back and park the bus.
We’re taking Croatia/Panama Over 2.5 Goals at -122

England kicked off with an entertaining 4-2 win over Croatia, while Ghana grinded out a narrow 1-0 victory against Panama. Both sides know a win here would put them in prime position to advance to the knockout stages.
Thomas Tuchel’s men looked sharp and dangerous going forward against Croatia, creating plenty of high-quality chances. The return of a fully fit Bukayo Saka only strengthens an already potent attack. Tuchel has made it clear he wants better defensive structure after shipping two goals in the opener, and we should see a more organized England side that controls the game from start to finish.
Ghana are well-organized and pose a real threat on the counter, but they’ll likely be forced into long spells of defending against England’s possession dominance. The Black Stars rely on physicality and quick transitions, but they lack the depth and attacking quality to match England over 90 minutes.
England hold a clear edge in talent, squad depth, and firepower. While Ghana’s counters could punish any overcommitment or transitional lapses, the Three Lions should dictate the tempo, carve out more and better opportunities, and eventually wear down a disciplined but limited Ghana defense.
Prediction: England wins comfortably and covers the spread.
Best Bet: England -1.5 (-147)

This is a heavyweight showdown between two of the WNBA’s elite teams, featuring elite talent on both sides.
The Aces sit at 12-4 overall and a solid 4-2 at home. They’re coming in hot after blowing out the Golden State Valkyries 92-73, sparked by a dominant 21-2 run. They’ve also picked up a strong win over Phoenix recently. While they’ve shown resilience most nights, they did have one notable blowout loss to Dallas, reminding us they’re not invincible. Still, at home, Vegas looks locked in.
The Liberty enter at 11-6. They’ve shown flashes of inconsistency with some recent losses, but this group is more than capable of delivering statement wins against top competition. With one of the league’s best rosters, New York can match the Aces talent level on any given night.
This matchup has all the makings of a high-level chess match. A’ja Wilson could easily be the difference-maker down the stretch, but both teams boast championship-caliber coaching and defensive schemes that should shine through.
Betting Angle: I lean Under
Even though both squads can light up the scoreboard, these heavyweight rivalries usually bring out elite defense and grind-it-out half-court basketball. With the Commissioner’s Cup Final between these two teams coming up next week, expect both coaching staffs to hold back some of their very best offensive sets and wrinkles. That should lead to a tighter, more deliberate contest than the raw offensive numbers might suggest.
Best Play: Aces -130
Statistically, these teams are remarkably even, but the home court edge in a playoff-like atmosphere gives Las Vegas the slight nod here. With another massive meeting on the horizon, expect plenty of adjustments and intensity tonight.