FIBA Basketball World Cup predictions & free tips for September 4 games

The FIBA Basketball World Cup reaches day 5 on Wednesday, September 4, 2019, and several teams’ hopes of advancing past the group stage of the tournament go on the line, with the biggest match being Puerto Rico against Tunisia, with this match deciding who qualifies with Spain through Group C. Other teams in action today include the Philippines v Angola, Italy v Serbia and Russia v Argentina. Here are our free picks, odds and predictions for day 5 of the FIBA World Cup, which features eight matches.

Read more:
– Best basketball betting sites
– FIBA World Cup Guide

Angola v Philippines

Tip-off: 15:30 local time (GMT+8)
Head to head odds: Angola 2.10, Philippines 1.78
Venue: Foshan International Sports & Cultural Arena
Angola v Philippines predictions: The Philippines will start narrow favourites against Angola, but both these teams’ hopes of advancing out of Group D are almost dashed, with Serbia and Italy holding a mortgage on the top spots. We think the Philippines, despite boasting one of the most experienced rosters, have been disappointing and we’re backing the underdogs to cause an upset here. The line is too narrow for us at +1.5, but the 2.10 on offer for a win is fantastic in a match we have priced at even money.

Cote d’Ivoire v Poland

Tip-off: 16:00 local time (GMT+8)
Head to head odds: Cote d’Ivoire 13.00, Poland 1.04
Venue: Wukesong Sport Arena, Beijing
Cote d’Ivoire v Poland predictions: Poland can stitch up an undefeated run through group A with a victory over Cote d’Ivoire, a match which they are expected to win easily. Maciej Lampe has been the star man for Poland so far at the FIBA World Cup, but we think AJ Slaughter is likely to be given more court time, as Poland give Lampe some time to recuperate before the next phase of the tournament. We’re predicting Poland to win but not cover the 18.5 moneyline. You can get 1.88 on the African nation getting within 18.5 points, which we think is a good bet considering Poland have, barring a disaster, stitched up top spot.

Korea v Nigeria

Tip-off: 16:30 local time (GMT+8)
Head to head odds: Korea 7.40, Nigeria 1.10
Venue: Wuhan Sports Centre
Korea v Nigeria predictions: South Korea and Nigeria face off in an inconsequential clash in group B. We have seen nothing to suggest that South Korea can trouble Nigeria here, with the underdogs being thrashed by Argentina and Russia.

Puerto Rico v Tunisia

Tip-off: 16:30 local time (GMT+8)
Head to head odds: Puerto Rico 1.58, Tunisia 2.78
Venue: Guangzhou Gymnasium
Puerto Rico v Tunisia predictions: Perhaps the most important game of the day. Puerto Rico will start favourites against Tunisia, with this match set to decide who joins Spain qualifying out of Group C. The first time these two teams have met, but we are predicting Puerto Rico to win this one, courtesy of the greater depth on their squad. Look for David Huertas to again be a key man on the offensive end, and maybe it’s now we finally see how good Isaiah Pineiro is, with the Sacramento Kings draftee playing limited minutes so far at the World Cup. Bet on Puerto Rico to cover the 5.5-point line and lock it in as our best bet of the day at 1.96.

Italy v Serbia

Tip-off: 19:30 local time (GMT+8)
Head to head odds: Italy 6.40, Serbia 1.12
Venue: Foshan International Sports & Cultural Arena
Italy v Serbia predictions: Italy thrashed the Philippines to open their World Cup campaign, and similarly accounted for Angola, but the defensive pressure will be upped against tournament fancies Serbia. Azzuri talent Luigi Datome and Danilo Gallinari will have their work cut out against the towering Serbians. We expect Serbia to win with Nemanja Bjelica (7 from 7 from the field) the dominant force in their 61-point demolition of the Philippines last start. We just can’t bet against Serbia here.

Venezuela v China

Tip-off: 20:00 local time (GMT+8)
Head to head odds: Venezuela 3.40, China 1.32
Venue: Wukesong Sport Arena, Beijing
Venezuela v China predictions: A live contest that could realistically be won by either team, however, we think the home crowd should be enough for China here, who were gutted after a narrow loss to Poland last start. Yi Jianlian was brilliant against Poland and China will need him to fire again against Venezuela. We think China can cover the -7.5 line here at 1.96.

Russia v Argentina

Tip-off: 20:30 local time (GMT+8)
Head to head odds: Russia 3.40, Argentina 1.34
Venue: Wuhan Sports Centre
Russia v Argentina predictions: Argentina and Russia will clash to decide who finishes top of Group B. With this match having little impact on who qualifies from the group we expect the squads to be rotated here, and we’re not expecting a defensive slog. We really like the option to bet on more than 82 points in the opening half, which is paying 1.83. Overall though we are tipping Argentina to top the group and also make a real splash at the tournament – we’ve liked what we’ve seen so far.

Spain v Iran

Tip-off: 20:30 local time (GMT+8)
Head to head odds: Spain 1.00, Iran 26.00
Venue: Guangzhou Gymnasium
Spain v Iran predictions: Absolute mismatch on paper and we are not predicting any upsets happening here with Spain to win easily. In fact we think the 1.92 on offer for Spain to win by more than 26.5 points is like printing money. Good luck betting.

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