World Cup 2014 Preview

The standout bet in the European section of World Cup 2014 qualifying comes in Group A where Belgium are as much as 9/4 (Bodog/You Win) to come top of the group. The centre-back pairing of Vincent Kompany and Thomas Vermaelen is arguably the best in World Football, throw in a midfield featuring talents such as Moussa Dembele, Marouane Fellaini, Axel Witsel and the outstanding Eden Hazard then top off with the goalscoring threat of Romelu Lukaku and you have the ingredients for a very talented team. Their strongest challenge is likely to come from Croatia (2/1-sportingbet/william hill) and Serbia at 5/2 (BetVictor/william hill). British duo Scotland 25/1 (BetVictor/You Win) and Wales 50/1 (BetVictor/Stan James) also feature in this group though offer little appeal, while Macedonia 100/1 (sportingbet/Bet Victor) are the outsiders of the six.

Italy are the favourites in Group B and at 1/2 (ladbrokes/You Win) many might be tempted to throw them into their accumulators. A word of caution though Italy are often slow starters in qualification and the Czech Republic (11/2-Bodog) and Denmark (6/1-BetVictor) are good sides that can cause upsets on their day. Bulgaria (25/1-BetVictor), Armenia (500/1-BetVictor/Stan James/You Win) and Malta (10000/1-sportingbet/Stan James) complete the teams in this group.

Germany should coast through Group C and are 1/4 (boylesports/ladbrokes) with Sweden (6/1-Sportingbet/You Win) and the Republic of Ireland (11/1-Sportingbet) likely to be battling for a runners-up slot. Austria are (66/1-You Win) and may pick a few points. The Faroe Islands (10000/1-Sportingbet/Stan James) and Kazakhstan (10000/1-BetVictor) are set to battle it out for the wooden spoon.

Holland are the 1/3 (bet365/boylesports) favourites to land Group D though they will need to see off Turkey (6/1-BetVictor/You Win), Romania (12/1-general) and Hungary (18/1-You Win). To me the price of Estonia (1000/1-Sportingbet/BetVictor) and 66/1 (BetVictor) to finish in the top two offers value. Estonia finished second in Euro 2012 qualifying and should be much much shorter. True they are a poor side however this group is full of them and they look worth a small investment.

Group E offers another betting recommendation as I like the look of Switzerland at 8/5 (Coral) to come through here. The Swiss head a very weak looking qualifying section and look stronger than Norway (7/4-general). Slovenia at 15/4 (sportingbet) could go well, with Cyprus (50/1-Sportingbet/Bet Victor), Albania (66/1- general) and Iceland (80/1-general) all capable of taking points from other sides in the group.

Group F favourites Portugal who despite a good Euros are not a side to put your trust in at 8/13 (Bodog/Coral). They often make a meal of qualifying and are also paired with the hugely talented Russians. Whatever you think of Fabio Capello England always got through qualifying with him at the helm and the 9/4 (Sportingbet/You Win) on Russia to top the group can not be passed up. Israel (11/1-general), Northern Ireland (66/1-general), Azerbaijan (1000/1-general) and Luxembourg (10000/1-general) also feature in Group F.

Group G is tricky with three sides capable of winning it. Greece are the 2/1 (You Win) favourites, Slovakia are (9/4-Sportingbet) and Bosnia (5/2-bet365/Bodog). Latvia (25/1-Sportingbet/Coral) and Lithuania (25/1-general) are unlikely to qualify but can gain a few points. Lichenstein are (10000/1-Stan James) outsiders and will do well to get a single point.

Roy Hodgson must be delighted with the draw for Group G and the England should have no problems topping the group at 4/9 (general). Euro 2012 co-hosts Ukraine (6/1-Bodog) and Poland (8/1-general) will provide the toughest challenge. Montenegro are (12/1-general), Moldova (1500/1-Sportingbet/BetVictor) and San Marino outsiders at (10000/1-general).

Group H contains both Spain and France. The World and European Champions Spain are 1/3 (BetVictor/paddy Power/Coral) while France are 11/4 (You Win). Belarus (125/1-Sportingbet), Finland (200/1-general) and Georgia 500/1(BetVictor) complete the group. It is hard to see past the Spaniards who are the dominant force in World Football.

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06/09/2012     © Frixo 2024