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Both Czechia and South Africa will be hoping to get their first points on the board as they meet in Atlanta for their second World Cup game in Group A on Thursday evening.
Czechia narrowly lost out 2-1 to South Korea in their opening match, which would have hurt even more considering they took the lead.
Meanwhile, South Africa went down 2-0 to co-hosts Mexico in the World Cup's opening game, and also had two players sent off to make matters worse.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions, as well as which platforms offer the best world cup welcome bonuses.
Czechia vs. South Africa key stats
- Czechia's defeat to South Korea ended a six-game winning run in all competitions.
- South Africa are winless in six matches across all competitions (D3, L3).
- BTTS has come through in Czechia's previous five games.
Czechia vs. South Africa preview: Czechs to get back on track?
| Czechia | vs | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| 40 | FIFA Ranking | 60 |
| Tomas Soucek (91) | Most Caps | Ronwen Williams (63) |
| Patrik Schick (26) | Most Goals | Themba Zwane (12) |
| 738 | Total Caps | 498 |
| 99 | Total Goals | 61 |
| 0 | Uncapped Players | 0 |
Czechia were largely outplayed against South Korea, but their set-piece threat almost bailed them out – seven of their last 14 World Cup goals have now come via headers.
However, it was not to be as South Korea came back to win the game, leaving Miroslav Koubek's side in a spot of bother.
The Czechs will now feel this is a must-win match against South Africa, who are the lowest-ranked team in the group based on FIFA world rankings.
They have not lost their opening two World Cup games since 1970, and will be aiming to avoid a repeat of that here.
While Czechia have no fresh concerns in their squad, South Africa will have to play without Yaya Sithole and more importantly vice-captain Themba Zwane, who were both sent off against Mexico in their opening group match.
Zwane in particular will be a big miss given he is the top scorer in the squad with 12 goals, and it is difficult to see who will fire Bafana Bafana to victory here.
Vincent Tseka must now decide how his team will approach this game without two key players, in what will likely be their most realistic chance of getting points on the board with South Korea higher-ranked and buoyed by their opening win against Czechia.
South Africa are now winless in six matches in total in all competitions (D3, L3), so there is little hope that they can get what would be a crucial three points here.
Czechia vs. South Africa form guide & betting tips
| Czechia | vs | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
WWWWL |
Form | DLDDL |
| 10 | Goals For | 3 |
| 8 | Goals Against | 6 |
L |
World Cup 2026 | L |
Whispers predicts: Czechia 2-1 South Africa
Czechia are 4/5 (1.80) favourites to win, and based on recent form and the strength of both nations, we are siding with the bookies here.
Our first recommended pick would be BTTS – Yes at 1/1 (2.00), which has come through in Czechia's last five matches.
We also like the look of Over 2.5 goals at 11/10 (2.10), which also came through in those five games and by extension Czechia's previous six outings.
Our final bet focuses on the Czechs' set-piece threat and specifically captain Ladislav Krejci, with five of his last six international goals being headers.
Thus, Krejci to score anytime at 7/1 (8.00) is a punt that could hold excellent value.
Overall, we are predicting a 2-1 Czechia win, which is available at 8/1 (9.00).
> BTTS – Yes at 1/1 (2.00) | Likelihood: Probable
> Over 2.5 goals at 11/10 (2.10) | Likelihood: Possible
> Krejci to score anytime at 7/1 (8.00) | Likelihood: Outsider