November 9 – There are five or six teams that wouldn’t be a surprise to see win the World Cup, but early on an arguably more interesting talking point will be which teams among the world’s elite, and who are at short odds in World Cup betting, will end up falling at the first hurdle?
Which are the teams to bet on?
For an idea of the most likely winners, we can look at Cloudbet’s odds on the outright winner of the 2022 World Cup. The popular crypto bookmaker is offering in-play cashouts and higher limits on the games played in Qatar this winter, and bettors can benefit from a wealth of other features that are being offered for the duration of the competition. Who are the favoured teams for the outright winner market?
Among the top six teams are the last three winners: Spain, Germany and France. Defending champions France are the most favoured European team in this market, with odds in the region of 7.5 (or 13/2 in fractional odds). Spain and Germany are around 9.5 and 11.5 (17/2 and 21/2) respectively, while Brazil and Argentina are favourites and second-favourites respectively at 4.94 and 6.88.
England, fourth favourites at 8.5, round out the big six contenders. Any one of these teams failing to make it out of their group would be a big shock. So let’s see if any are under real threat of early elimination.
Unlikely early casualties
Before we look at the possible reasons any of the above teams might be eliminated early, it is worth making special mention of France. They are the defending champions but the other two previous winners, Germany and Spain, each exited the following World Cup at the group stage. Additionally, after France’s other world title in 1998, they were eliminated at this stage in 2002. So there’s an uncomfortable precedent there. Cloudbet have them at 6.99 to repeat that unfortunate achievement
France are joined in Group D by Denmark, Australia and Tunisia. While Denmark may give them an uncomfortable time, it would be stunning if France were to finish behind either of the other two. Similarly, Argentina should easily come through a group featuring Poland, Mexico and Saudi Arabia, while Brazil should overcome Switzerland, Serbia and Cameroon without undue problems. England, for their part, have Wales, the USA and Iran, and should win that group.
Spain or Germany?
The other strong contenders in the odds – Spain and Germany – won titles in 2010 and 2014 respectively, but have a complicated path as they have been paired together in Group E. They’re joined there by Japan and Costa Rica, both of whom are historically dangerous underdogs. If you’re looking for an early shock exit, that might be where it happens.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1714126684labto1714126684ofdlr1714126684owedi1714126684sni@o1714126684fni1714126684