The FIFA World Cup knockout stage is where the tournament really comes alive.
With every match now carrying do-or-die consequences, interest from Australian punters is likely to increase across the Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final. The matches are bigger, the markets are deeper and bookmakers generally provide more ways to bet on the biggest fixtures.
We hope you've been enjoying our daily World Cup previews and betting tips, but now, things are about to get serious. For punters, this makes it a good time to compare the different features available across the best Australian betting apps for the World Cup finals.
Same Game Multi Options
Same Game Multis are now one of the most popular ways to bet on soccer.
During the knockout stage, punters can combine markets to increase their odds. Popular markets for SGMs include:
- Match result
- Both teams to score
- Total goals
- Player shots
- Player fouls
- Player cards
- Corners
The key thing to check is whether the market is settled after 90 minutes or includes extra time. In most soccer betting markets, 90-minute betting does not include extra time or penalties unless clearly stated.
Extra Time and Penalty Markets
Knockout soccer is different from the group stage because matches can go beyond 90 minutes.
That creates additional betting options, including:
- Match to go to extra time
- Match to go to penalties
- Team to qualify
- Correct score after 90 minutes
- Winning margin
- Half-time/full-time result
These markets can be especially relevant once the tournament reaches the quarter-finals and beyond, where teams may become more cautious.
Player Markets
Player betting markets often become more detailed during the biggest World Cup matches.
Depending on the bookmaker, punters may be able to bet on:
- Anytime goalscorer
- First goalscorer
- Player shots
- Player shots on target
- Player assists
- Player fouls
- Player cards
These markets can be useful for punters who prefer to focus on individual players rather than simply picking the match winner.
Bet Builder and Stat-Based Markets
Some bookmakers offer bet builder tools that allow punters to combine different match and player outcomes into one bet.
For World Cup knockout matches, this might include a combination of:
- Team to qualify
- Total goals
- Player shots
- Corners
- Cards
- Both teams to score
As always, punters should check the rules carefully before placing a bet, especially around extra time and penalty shootouts.
Live Betting Features
Live betting can become more important during knockout football, particularly when a match changes after an early goal, red card or tactical substitution.
Live betting markets can move quickly, so it is important to understand the market before placing a bet.
Cash Out Availability
Cash out is another feature that may be available during World Cup knockout matches.
This allows punters to settle a bet before the match or market has officially finished. The amount offered can change throughout the game depending on the current score, time remaining and market movement.
Cash out is not guaranteed and may not be available on every market, so punters should treat it as a feature rather than something to rely on.
World Cup Promotions
Some of the best Australian sportsbooks will have special promotions during the World Cup. Some of those may be displayed on the Promotions page of the site, while others will require you to be a logged in customer before you can access them.
A couple worth mentioning include:
Picklebet - has a a number of great World Cup novelty bets that are worth checking out. These include markets like total tournament goals, number of hat-tricks in the tournament and other fun tournament milestones.
Unibet - are one of the best sites for World Cup offers. They were especially generous with their odds for some unique Socceroos markets earlier in the tournament, and that generosity should continue through the Knockout stages. Create an account and login to enjoy their World Cup promotions.
Dabble - log in to the Dabble app and you'll always find some great promo offers under their "Daily Dabbles". These might include unique markets that offer a great value price for punters to enjoy.
Comparing Betting Apps During the Knockout Stage
Not every bookmaker offers the same football betting experience.
Before placing a World Cup knockout bet, it may be worth comparing many of the SGM markets and options we've already mentioned.
For casual punters, the most important thing is understanding exactly what your bet includes. In knockout football, the difference between “match result”, “to qualify” and “lift the trophy” can be significant.
The World Cup knockout stage brings some of the biggest betting events of the year.
Rather than focusing only on price, Australian punters should also compare the features, markets and betting rules available across different bookmakers. With extra time, penalties and high-pressure football all in play, understanding how each market works is just as important as picking the right team.
Before You Bet will continue tracking the major World Cup betting features available to Australian punters throughout the knockout stage.
