- Colombia are the 11/25 favourites to beat DR Congo, who are listed as 11/2 outsiders in Guadalajara.
- Colombia have won three and lost two of their last five matches, scoring 10 goals in that run.
- DR Congo have failed to win any of their last three away matches (Drawn two, lost one).
Colombia can't afford to take DR Congo for granted
Colombia have an early three-point lead over DR Congo in Group K of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after picking up three wins from their past three matches in all competitions.
The Colombians beat Uzbekistan 3-1 in their World Cup opener, while DR Congo are sitting second in the group after taking one point from their first match.
Colombia are not a team that are easy to place in a particular category as they are possession-based in the conventional sense, but they are disciplined and they can be explosive when they get the ball in the right places. Nestor Lorenzo has blended structure with a free-flowing vertical attack since taking over the reins in June 2022 with the Cafeteros playing a 4-2-3-1 that relies on overloads in wide areas and ball over the top to catch the opponents off guard.
Gustavo Puerta has been the provider and creator of space for Colombia in the group so far, providing an assist against Uzbekistan, while Jhon Arias has found the net three times in their past five matches and is in fine form.
Crucial game for DR Congo on and off the pitch
DR Congo are making their first World Cup appearance since 1974 and Sebastien Desabre's men will have an eye on the prize of progression in 2026, while many scouts will be present to see this clash. The Leopards are a compact side who can be strong in defence and will sit in a low block while they look to counter quickly and strike on the break or through set pieces.
Arthur Masuaku's vision was in full display when he set up DR Congo's goal against Portugal and he is their key playmaker. Yoane Wissa has been their primary outlet in attack and he is the only player to have scored in Group K so far.
Our bet is for Colombia to win this game because they should be able to break down the DR Congo block, although they may not get many chances and so a clean sheet looks likely. The Leopards have conceded three goals and drawn their only away match in the competition, but we are going for Colombia to eventually get the win they deserve in Guadalajara.
Backing Both Teams to Score - No in the 57/100 range makes sense as Colombia's defence has been solid while DR Congo are not prolific scorers on the road.
