World Cup Odds – Who Will Be On Top July 13?
The World Cup is only a couple of short weeks away – the excitement is ramping up as is the expectation for each team as they enter the pressure cooker that is the world’s biggest football event. The usual suspects are at the top of the favorites list – and rightfully so. [ad-1519080]
Will one of the favorites emerge in Brazil or is there a team further down the list that we should keep a close eye on?
Let’s break it down.
Brazil 3/1
No surprise here. The host country has talent all over the pitch – they are 2 or 3 deep in every position. Add in the fact that they destroyed Spain 3-0 in last year’s Confederation Cup on home soil and Brazil looks like the class of the tournament. The much talked about heat and environmental conditions will benefit one, maybe two teams in the tournament – Brazil and Argentina with the Brazilians having a major edge.
Brazil seems to have everything to win the World Cup 2014. Players like Neymar, Kaka, Oscar, Lucas, Hulk and Ganso plus a manager that has won the World Cup before makes this a seasoned group as well as one that is filled with class. Perhaps the best defensive pairing in the tournament Thiago Silva and Dante also makes the Brazilians a rightful favorite to win it all.
Argentina 9/2
Names like Messi, Tevez, Aguero and Di Maria provide the Argentineans arguably the best attack in the tournament – they look on paper to be the most talented teams in the World Cup offensively. There is a perceived lack of talent on the back end for the Argentina however but those shortcomings mat be overblown just a bit.
Argentina won the World Cup with one man back in 1986 – this year they have two game-changers. When you have the best player on the planet, you are automatically a favorite – add in the familiar climate for these players and the Argentineans become that much more intriguing.
Let’s hope the scheduling Gods allow for a Brazil/Argentina Final – it would be epic. If an All-South American Final does come to fruition, something tells me the host country crumbles under the insane pressure allowing Argentina to pounce on their first World Title since Maradona.
Germany 11/2
Neuer, Gotze, Muller, Schweinsteiger, Lahm, Kroos, Badstuber, Boateng, Weidenfeller, Hummels, Reus, Bender, Gundogan – the names that Germany will boast this year – many of whom play for Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund – two of the best and most battle-tested squads in Europe.
The strength of this team is defending – they have the best defenders on the planet to compliment a terrific keeper.
The arguments against Germany are weather, climate and the fact that no European team has won the World Cup on South American soil. Although I think those arguments are slightly overblown, look for the Germans to make a strong run but fall a tad short against one of the stacked South American squads.
Spain 6/1
Spain enters having won three consecutive international tournaments (two European Championships and a World Cup) and may be overlooked just a bit here. There is simply no substitute for success on the world stage! A loss in last year’s Confederation Cup has certainly taken some luster off this team howvever!
[ad-3678122]
Spain has the ability to combine the pure class and experience of players like Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez, Xabi Alonso, and Casillas with the fresh talented players such as Koke, Juan Mata, and Carvajal – Spain is an all around complete team.
Like Germany, climate and the fact that they are playing in enemy territory has a few of the “experts” scared off – me included. Add in the fact that age is caching up to this squad and it looks as though the Spanish are ready to pass the torch of World Football domination on.
I’m not saying that Spain won’t make a serious run; I am saying that winning it all looks too monumental in 2014.
Belgium 18/1
Belgium is poised to be the surprise as they bring a young team full of class to Brazil – a slew of which play in the Premier League. A lack of experience on the biggest stages and the fact they lost back-to-back qualifier against Columbia and Japan has me looking elsewhere though!
England 20/1
I’m not sure if the English fans even have England as sixth choice to win it all this year! The expectations will be there as always and the class is there for England to have some success. But putting all the talent together on the Big Stage has been an issue for this team in the recent past. If things start going south for this team so will the moral. The heat and the pressure may catch up to this team early making them look every bit the dysfunctional group they are!
France 22/1
A good offense and world class defenders have France looking like perhaps the best value on the board! Seriously! Names like Pogba and Verane should represent very well for the French who have snuck under the radar. Many have the French going to the semi-finals and once there anything can happen!
Italy 22/1
Alright – Italy is undervalued too. Balotelli and Rossi make this team a contender all by themselves! Tactically the Italians match up with any team in the tournament and defensively there are few squads that are better than the Italians. They have the best keeper in the game – Buffon could carry them a long way too!
Italy made it to the Final in their last big tournament – Euro 2012 – the last World Cup in 2010 was their lone disastrous showing on the international stage. If Italy puts it all together at the right time, this team has what it takes to win it all!
How can Italy be behind England in the eyes of the oddsmakers?
Netherlands 25/1
With injuries to Strootman and now Van Der Vaart, two huge losses, the Dutch have recently been forced to switch to a 5-3-2 formation. Not their conventional 4-3-3 that has seen them grab so much success. Van Gaal might have one foot in Manchester already. Not sure they come out of the Group stage!
Portugal 25/1
Christiano Renaldo, Pepe and Alves give them a chance to shock the world. Truth be told, it wouldn’t be a total surprise to see the Portuguese win it all!
Uruguay 28/1
Playing close to home and has the terrific Luis Suarez donning the gear!
Colombia 33/1
Could surprise on their home continent.
Chile 40/1
Could shock the Netherlands in the Group stage but will be missing a key cog – Arturo Vidal will miss the World Cup with a knee injury.
USA 100/1
Have never made it past the quarter finals and will go with a young squad this year – no Landon Donovan means the US may have a hard time reaching the quarters this time around.
