World Cup Futures Betting: Group B
Group B of the 2014 World Cup features the two teams that played for the Title in 2010 – Spain and the Holland will re-acquaint themselves early in the tournament this year as they compete for Group B supremacy. The squads face each other in their first matches of the tournament this year! [ad-1519080]
Spain looks like an absolute lock to advance but the second berth into the elimination round isn’t as clear cut – Chile will definitely challenge Holland for that final spot with one of the two quality sides going home early. Long shot Australia completes one of the toughest Groups in the World Cup this year.
Let’s take a look at what is expected to happen in the most competitive Group in the tournament.
Spain
(FIFA Rank #1)
Odds to Win World Cup: 13/2 [dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Odds to in Group B: -135
Spain enters the 2014 World Cup as a hunted team – as defending champs, every team in the Group stage will use them as a measuring stick as to exactly where they stand in this tournament. Names like Diego Costa F (Atletico Madrid); Iniesta M (Barcelona); Sergio Busquets DM (Barcelona); Xabi Alonso M (Real Madrid) may steal all of the headlines but make no mistake about it – the Spanish squad is stacked from top to bottom – hence the #1 overall FIFA ranking.
Spain has won the 2008 European Championship, the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Championship in its last three major tournaments – experience and success at the top level is nothing new to this squad which should serve them well indeed. But a slightly underwhelming performance, albeit a win in the 2012 Euro Championship and an ugly 3-0 beat-down at the hands of Brazil in last year’s Confederation Cup raise questions whether or not this team can repeat as World Cup Champions.
An interesting storyline could prove to be the difference or a major distraction for the Spaniards in this tournament – Brazilian Diego Costa has spurned his home side in favor of playing for Spain in the World Cup – something the Brazilian fans haven’t take lightly.
Spain is still one of the two or three favorites to win it all in Brazil – despite a tough Group; they should come out on top battle-tested for the` knock-out stage.
Holland
(FIFA Rank #15)
Odds to Win World Cup: 25/1
Odds to in Group B: +225
Holland always seems to show up on the biggest stages – expect more of the same in 2014. They will be out to avenge a horrible performance in Euro 2012 however – they lost all three games in the Group stage – an absolute disaster. It was only four years ago that they finished second in the World Cup to Spain – something that is still fresh in their minds.
The good news for Holland is that they completely redeemed themselves in qualifying for the World Cup – they managed 28 of a possible 30 points and had an incredible goal differential of 29 in 10 games. A good mix of youth and veterans make up this squad – Arjen Robben M (Bayern Munich); Robin Van Persie F (Manchester United) and Wesley Sneijder M (Galatasaray) will be the names to watch as Holland tries to hold off Chile for the second knock-out round spot in Group B.
The Dutch have a lot to prove in Brazil, that their 2010 result wasn’t a fluke and that their 2012 result was. Chile will push Holland hard making the Dutch no lock to advance to the elimination stage.
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Chile
(FIFA Rank #13)
Odds to Win World Cup: 40/1
Odds to in Group B: +400
Chile is the most intriguing team in Group B – they enter as the third best team in South America behind only Brazil and Argentina – nothing to sneeze at! Alexis Sanchez F (Barcelona); Arturo Vidal M (Juventus); Eduardo Vargas F/W (Napoli, on loan to Valencia) are the names to watch as Chile brings their high-paced, pressing brand of football into the World Cup in their home continent.
Chile will score some goals – that much is certain – they do play in an uber-tough group however and they will have to be hoping that Arturo Vidal shows up healthy after a knee injury in May and that their perceived weakness on defense isn’t their undoing.
It comes down to Holland and Chile – who will join Spain in the knockout stage? Chile definitely has the squad to make things interesting!
Australia
(FIFA Rank #59)
Odds to Win World Cup: 500/1
Odds to in Group B: +3300
You gotta feel for Australia- they won just three of eight qualifying matches and now are tasked with playing in the toughest Group in the tournament. Tim Cahill F (New York Red Bull); Mile Jedinak D (Crystal Palace); Lucas Neill D (Watford) give this team some credibility but the class up and down the lineup just isn’t there to compete with Spain, Holland and Chile.
Australia brings an aging squad to Brazil – they will be lucky to gain a point during the Group Stage.
Betting Prediction: We know that Spain will make it through – they are favored once again to challenge for the Title. But after that it becomes very interesting indeed! The Dutch have a ton to prove but the demons from Euro 2012 just may creep into the equation here allowing the quick strike offense of the Chileans to take advantage here.
Take Spain and Chile to move on leaving Holland looking for answers!
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.
