Russia best bet in the World Cup Group stages

It might have taken about three hours to complete but after it was over the draw for Brazil 2014 had thrown up a lot of interesting possibilities. Here is our guide to the best of the bets from the group stages.

Group A is where the hosts and favourites for the tournament Brazil feature and they are as short as 1/4 (GENERAL) to come out on top. It is tough to see past the South Americans who should have too much talent for the other three sides. The race to finish behind Brazil is where the real interest lies in this section. Any of the sides could qualify and you can get 5/4 (SKYBET/BETVICTOR/ladbrokes) that it is Croatia who come through, while Mexico are 7/5 (BWIN) and Cameroon are the outsiders at 6/1 (BETVICTOR).

Australia can at least console themselves that they are good at Cricket once more because they have no chance of qualifying for the last 16. Any of the other three could finish in any position and you can get 5/6 (paddy Power) Spain win Group B, while it is 5/2 (bet365/SKYBET/betway) the Netherlands do and 5/1 (SKYBET/paddy Power) that South American side Chile come out on top.

One of the most open four team sections is Group C which is headed by Colombia who are 8/11 (GENERAL) to come out on top. The other three sides will fancy their chances and you can get 9/2 (GENERAL) that the Ivory Coast do, Japan are 11/2 (ladbrokes) while Greece are not the worst value at 10/1 (bet365/sportingbet/BWIN) to top the group.

Luis Suarez will hope that Norwich keeper John Ruddy is in goal when Uruguay meet England in Group D such is his record against the Canaries stopper. England are 5/2 (ladbrokes/YOU WIN) third favourites to win this section behind Italy who are 7/4 (GENERAL) and Uruguay at 21/10. Costa Rica are expected to be the group whipping boys.

One side who have to be delighted with their draw is France who are 11/13 (888 SPORT/unibet) to come out on top of Group F while Switzerland are 3/1 (SKYBET), Ecuador 9/2 (GENERAL) and Honduras 33/1 (bet365/sportingbet/BWIN) are outsiders. Ecuador have sadly lost a little since the tragic death of star striker Christian Benitez and I think the two European sides should have few problems progressing. Therefore, take the 6/5 (ladbrokes) on them in the dual forecast market. Argentina should coast through Group G against Bosnia-Herzegovna, Nigeria and Iran and odds of 2/7 (BETVICTOR/CORAL) reflect this. The battle is on to finish second behind them and it is evens the European side (SKYBET/ladbrokes/YOU WIN), 7/5 (ladbrokes/YOU WIN) the African side and Iran are 15/2 (sportingbet).

Group G is one of the toughest with Germany the 8/13 (TOTESPORT/betfred/paddy Power) favourites and the race is on to finish second behind them. I saw Portugal in both play-off games with Sweden and other than Cristiano Ronaldo they looked average. Ghana and the USA are decent sides so odds of 7/4 (WINNER) on them not to qualify look value. The best bet though comes in the final Group (H) where Belgium are 7/10 (888 SPORT/unibet) to come top. Although this is a side of clear talent they do lack the big tournament experience and as such I think they have to be opposed by Fabio Capello and his Russian side who are 11/4 (YOU WIN) to win the group. South Korea and Algeria are the other two sides in the section and I would expect both to be eliminated.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Russia to win Group H, 11/4 (YOU WIN)
SILVER: Portugal not to qualify from Group G, 7/4 (WINNER)
BRONZE: Switzerland/France dual forecast Group E, 6/5 (ladbrokes)

Go To bet365

#Ad

20/12/2013     © Frixo 2026