FIFA World Cup: 3 bets we like ahead of Sunday's kickoff

with +1,000. Only Kylian Mbappe in France and Harry Kane in England are ahead of them (both at +700). Still, Messi's current form suggests that he will be the favorite.

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The 35-year-old forward has had a fantastic season in Ligue 1 and boasts a league leading 98.8 shooting score from 51 shots. In recent games

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he has scored 10 goals for the national team against Estonia, Honduras Jamaica, the UAE, and Jamaica.

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Factor in Argentina as the second favorite to win the tournament at +500 and Messi is very likely to get his World Cup.

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First, how many US games will the USA play at this tournament? The USMNT is at +100 to qualify for Group B.

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This slightly edges Wales but places them 16th in betting market to make it to the quarter-finals. It is reasonable to assume they will play between three- and five games.

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Christian Pulisic (+300), currently stands as the top American goal scorer. But he has not scored for Chelsea this year and has a shooting grade of 68.0 out of nine shots.

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Jesus Ferreira (+400), second favourite, is the man who produced a 90.3 percent shooting percentage for FC Dallas this season.

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Although he is expected in the starting line-up, it seems like a better option than Pulisic because he has only scored seven times in his fifteen appearances for national side.

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If either of these two are the USA's top scorers, there is still some chance. Zimmerman is almost certain to start every game.

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However, there are two important PFF grades that indicate that he may be an outsider for the top spot in scoring.

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He was the best central defender in the MLS, scoring a 78.8 shooting percentage on 26 shots. Second, he was 23rd in the MLS with an 82.4 aerial dul grade.

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