Czechia vs. South Africa Odds, Picks & Predictions

After suffering defeat in their World Cup openers last week, Czechia and South Africa will be desperate to get back on track when they face off in Atlanta on Thursday.

Bafana Bafana met Mexico in a World Cup curtain raiser for the second time on Thursday, falling to a deserved 2-0 loss in Mexico City, and they will have to make do without a couple of key players for their meeting with Czechia.

Yaya Sithole, whose mistake was partly to blame for Mexico’s opener, was sent off early in the second half, and he was later joined in the dressing room by vice-captain Themba Zwane as the substitute was sent off for violent conduct.

Czechia will be hoping that gives them a crucial advantage on Thursday, and they will be targeting an improved performance after disappointing in their Group A loss to South Korea.

Czechia vs. South Africa betting picks and predictions

Czechia to win (-133)

Czechia were dominated by South Korea in their opening fixture, ceding the majority of possession and allowing their opponents 15 shots to their seven, but they are expected to put in a stronger showing against South Africa on Thursday.

That 2-1 loss ended a six-game unbeaten streak for Miroslav Koubek’s side, and while victories against Guatemala, Kosovo, Gibraltar, and San Marino are hardly anything to write home about, their draws with Denmark and the Republic of Ireland in this period suggest they are better than their result against South Korea showed.

South Africa showed little ambition in their defeat to Mexico, having just three attempts on the co-hosts’ goal and generating a meagre 0.08 expected goals.

They have won only two World Cup games in seven attempts, and their loss in Mexico City extended their winless run to six matches.

This includes failures to beat Jamaica and Nicaragua, and the absence of the suspended Sithole and Zwane further damages their chances of getting something from this game. Back Czechia to bounce back in Atlanta and claim their first World Cup win in 20 years.

Patrik Schick anytime goalscorer (+138)

Patrik Schick was one of the many Czechia players to underwhelm against South Korea, but he is the nation’s star striker and looks the most likely to make a difference against South Africa.

Schick has scored 26 goals in 54 appearances for Czechia and was the joint-top goalscorer in Euro 2020. He was Czechia’s highest-scoring player in Euro 2024 and in their World Cup qualifying campaign, and he enjoyed a productive 2025/26 season at club level.

The Bayer Leverkusen forward netted 22 goals for his club and, despite his poor showing last time out, he has six goals in his last six appearances for club and country.

Both teams to score (+100)

South Africa may have failed to make an impact against Mexico, but they know they need a result to stand a chance of qualifying for the knockout stages for the first time in their history, and that should encourage them to be more forward-thinking on Thursday.

Despite their poor form, Bafana Bafana have still scored in nine of their last 12 games and Czechia do not have the best defensive record.

The Narodak’s only clean sheets in their last eight games came against minnows Gibraltar and San Marino, and they allowed South Korea 15 shots and 2.3 expected goals last time out.

Each of their last five fixtures have featured goals at both ends, and a similar outcome looks likely here.

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Czechia vs. South Africa odds

Czechia	-133
Tie	+280
South Africa	+350

Czechia vs. South Africa player props

Anytime goalscorer

Patrik Schick (Czechia)	+138
Jan Kuchta (Czechia)	+175
Tomas Chory (Czechia)	+187
Mojmir Chytil (Czechia)	+187
Adam Hlozek (Czechia)	+225
Denis Visinsky (Czechia)	+333

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.