World Cup Futures Betting: Group A
With the World Cup less than a month away, it is time to focus on the Group stages and which teams should move on into the elimination Rounds. Group A is highlighted by host country Brazil – five-time winner of the World Cup. [ad-1519080]
On paper it looks like a race for second place in the Group between Mexico and Brazil – none of the other teams has even reached the Final before.
So there’s Brazil and everyone else – let’s take a look.
Brazil
(FIFA Rank #4)
Odds to Win World Cup: 3/1 [dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Odds to in Group A: -450
No surprise here – Brazil is the favorite to win their sixth title – they beat Spain 3-0 in last year’s Confederation Cup and the lineup is filled with quality up and down the pitch. The Brazilians will be out to avenge an uncharacteristic loss in the quarterfinals of the 2010 World Cup and to win in front of what is sure to be an amped home crowd.
Brazil is going young this year – there isn’t a ton of experience on the World stage on this squad. But the caliber of players on the squad is awfully impressive. Neymar F (Barcelona); David Luiz D (Chelsea); Hulk F (Zenit St. Petersburg); Thiago Silva D (Paris St. Germain) are just a few names that should help this team easily advance past the Group stage.
Not only is Brazil one of the most talented groups in the World Cup but they have found themselves in a relatively easy Group – there shouldn’t be a whole lot of resistance for this squad en route to the elimination stage. Brazil breezes to a perfect record in the Group – no need to look any further for a winner among Group A.
Mexico
(FIFA Rank #19)
Odds to Win World Cup: 100/1
Odds to in Group A: +900
Mexico is actually the third betting choice to advance beyond the Group stage – they have changed managers and shook up their lineup somewhat drastically during the qualification process. Mexico, remember, did beat Brazil for the 2012 Olympic Gold Medal but they went on to lose eight of 10 qualifiers after that! 4 managers since the World Cup seems to have done the trick – Mexico won just one qualifier and then looked better in the playoff round – winning both of its matches to earn a berth into the World Cup.
With all the turmoil surrounding this team they still look like the second best squad in the Group. They have lost all three World Cup games against Brazil, they have beaten Croatia (back in 2002) and they have yet to play Cameroon on the biggest stage. Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez F (Manchester United); Oribe Peralta F (Santos Laguna); Giovani dos Santos F/M (Villareal) give this team legitimacy- internal strife drives them down a notch!
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Croatia
(FIFA Rank #20)
Odds to Win World Cup: 150/1
Odds to in Group A: +800
Croatia is the dark horse of the Group – it wouldn’t be a shock to see them advance past the Group stage. Luka Modric M (Real Madrid); Mario Mandzukic F (Bayern Munich); Alen Halilovic; M (Barcelona) all play on the biggest stages in Europe – they are battle tested and ready to lead the most intriguing team in Group A.
History in the World Cup has been filled with ups and downs – they finished an unfathomable third in 1998 and failed to go past the group stage in 2002 and 2006. The climate in Brazil seems to be the biggest hurdle for this squad – the other teams in the Group can play in hot, humid temperatures while Croatia may have their share of issues.
Expect Croatia to give Mexico a run for second place in the Group – a good showing in their opener against Brazil will go a long way in determining whether or not Croatia is a contender or a pretender.
Cameroon
(FIFA Rank #50)
Odds to Win World Cup: 500/1
Odds to in Group A: +2500
Not a whole lot is expected of Cameroon in Brazil. They boast some quality all over the pitch but lack the depth and all-around game to have success here. Samuel Eto’o F (Chelsea) is the straw that stirs the drink here – he alone could provide the African nation with an upset along the way – or he could be the source of a little controversy as well – he isn’t the most popular guy among his teammates.
Although I don’t expect a win for Cameroon in the World Cup, I don’t expect them to be an easy out either.
The African team has regularly qualified for the World Cup but has only passed to the knockout rounds once; we can’t expect much of Cameroon in Brazil.
Group A Betting Prediction
Nobody will touch Brazil despite the mountain of pressure they will be under. The battle will be for second. In this case I like Mexico to move on – they have the recent winning pedigree and they have the talent all over the pitch to reach the knockout stage.
A race for second will likely go to Mexico despite the turmoil the last two years.
The 2014 World Cup futures betting season is here in full force! If you like to bet on the World Cup, you are in the best possible place for online betting.
