Written by James Kempton
Last Friday saw Gary Lineker host the draw for the 2018 World Cup. It was the usual cringe fest of recycled gags by old footballers and trolly dolly type hostesses. My favorite ever made for TV moment was when David Beckham and Charlize Theron made eyes at each other; I mean who can blame the handsome footballer for trying his hand? However, onto things we can actually bet!
Let’s take a look at how the groups have shaped up and the current betting prices at BetOnline.AG to win the World Cup:
Group A: Uruguay, Russia, Egypt and Saudi Arabia
Group B: Spain, Portugal, Morocco and Iran
Group C: France, Denmark, Peru and Australia
Group D: Argentina, Croatia, Nigeria and Iceland
Group E: Brazil, Switzerland, Serbia and Costa Rica
Group F: Germany, Mexico, Sweden and South Korea
Group G: Belgium, England, Tunisia and Panama
Group H: Colombia, Poland, Senegal and Japan
2018 World Cup Outright Betting Odds:
- Germany +450
- Brazil +500
- France +600
- Argentina +600
- Spain +700
- Belgium +1200
- England +1600
- Portugal +2500
- Uruguay +2500
- Colombia +2500
- Croatia +3300
- Russia +3300
- Poland +4000
The last five World Cup winners have been Germany, Spain, Italy, Brazil and France with the last five winners on European shores being Italy, France, Germany (West), Italy, and Germany (West). Those trends suggest it will be hard for a non-European side to make that leap and lift the trophy next summer in Russia. I urge caution though, as that sample size is rather small given that run of five tournaments started in 1998 and in my entire life (I’m a man I’m 40) I can only remember NINE tournaments.
[ BetOnline.Ag Bonus Codes: 75BTB first time deposit (75% Bonus); 50BTB for reloads (50% Bonus) ]
My stand out bet for the outright winner of the 2018 World Cup isn’t going to come from a longshot or unfamiliar name; it’s Germany. It’s inconceivable the German’s won’t get out of their group, and then we hit the knock out stages where they’ll become the ultimate tournament team. In Joachim Low they have a highly experienced manager who has led Germany since 2006 and it will be his sixth major tournament at the helm, seven if you include the Confederations Cup, in charge of ‘Die Mannschaft’. His squad is littered with world greats from captain and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer all the way through the roster to strikers Mario Gomez and Thomas Muller. With relative youngsters such as Emre Can and Leroy Sane coming into the squad there seems no apparent weakness right now and I believe that the current market price offers tremendous upside. I do not see them losing until the semifinals in their current form and at that point they’d be no greater than a +200 bet.
If betting the favorite this far out isn’t your thing, here are two outsiders not currently listed in the top 5 that have caught my eye:
I would not dissuade anyone from siding with the home nation Russia at +3300. They have effectively been gifted passage into the Second Round as they should navigate through a group containing both Egypt and Saudi Arabia. On home soil, Russia is capable of even toppling Uruguay — and should they finish top of the group then they could offer some value finding their way to the Semi Finals like we’ve seen in the past from host nations. If the proud Russian people get behind their side (or more than likely ordered) then you may have one of the greatest home field advantage opportunities ever seen in World Cup competition.
Croatia is priced equally to that of the hosts, but I feel they’re a far better side possessing a true world-class talent. Luca Modric plies his trade in Real Madrid’s midfield and he never seems to receive the wider acclaim or accolades that his play deserves. Perhaps it is because he lives in Ronaldo’s shadow, but he truly is a fantastic footballer and is Croatia’s talisman. He is ably backed up by Ivan Rakitic of Barcelona and Ivan Perisic who has catapulted Inter Milan to the top of Italy’s Serie A. In the last World Cup Croatia were drawn in a tough group with Brazil, Mexico and Cameroon — and were effectively knocked out by a late Mexican onslaught in Brazilian heat during their final group game. The Blazers have been given a tough challenge as Group D pairs them with Argentina, Iceland and Nigeria; if they get out of this ‘Group of Death’ they’re a dangerous foe for any team.
We still have six months before the party starts, but the excitement is building and I am already looking at the 2018 holiday calendar trying to plan my vacation just right!
