World Cup Odds: Brazil Top The Betting For The 2022 Tournament In Qatar
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We are less than two months away from the start of the 2022 World Cup and betting sites believe there are a number of contenders to lift the trophy.
The line-up for the tournament is now complete, with Australia and Costa Rica booking the final spots in Qatar recently.
Western Europe has supplied each of the last four World Cup winners, and five of the last six.
The balance of power could be about to shift back to the other side of the Atlantic this time around though, with the big two from South America looking strong as the competition approaches.
Let’s take a look at the odds and then assess the credentials of some of the main candidates to win the 2022 World Cup.
Brazil Lead The Way To End 20-Year Drought
It has been two decades since Brazil last won the World Cup, and the most successful nation in the history of the tournament are desperate to end the wait for a sixth gold star above their badge.
Brazil look to be in excellent shape and their odds on football betting sites back that up. They breezed through a usually difficult CONMEBOL qualification campaign, winning 14 of their 17 matches while scoring the most (40) and conceding the fewest (five) goals.
Those statistics illustrate how well balanced Brazil are. Alisson Becker is one of the best goalkeepers in the world, while centre-back options Marquinhos, Thiago Silva and Eder Militao play for some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
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There is a glut of talent in attack, with Neymar and Vinicius Junior the two standouts.
Brazil have not played a major European nation since the 2018 World Cup, when they were beaten 2-1 by Belgium in the quarter-finals.
Tite’s side have improved in the four subsequent years and are the deserved 9/2 favourites with many punters opting to use their 2022 World Cup free bets on them.
France And England Have Both Had Terrible Recent Results
France will be looking to avoid the holders’ curse in Qatar: four of the last five winners were knocked out in the group phase of the following World Cup, including les Bleus themselves in 2002.
The recent signs are not good. France did not win any of their four Nations League matches against Denmark, Austria and Croatia (twice).
There is a growing feeling that Didier Deschamps, after 10 years at helm, might have taken France as far as he can.
The strength of their squad means the reigning champions are the second-favourites at 11/2 with William Hill, but the French do not look like potential champions right now - especially with the current circus surrounding star player Paul Pogba.
The same is true of England (7/1), whose Nations League results were poor even before an astonishing 4-0 home defeat by Hungary.
Gareth Southgate has come under fire for perceived conservatism, and there is even speculation as to who will replace him as England manager before tournament gets underway.
England’s squad is probably not sufficiently well rounded for them to go all the way, with clear weaknesses in central midfield and at the heart of the defence.
Spain And Argentina Hoping To Peak At Right Moment
Argentina are the reigning South American champions after beating Brazil in the Copa America final last summer.
They have made tremendous progress under Lionel Scaloni, who was initially appointed as interim manager after the debacle of the 2018 World Cup, before being handed the reins on a permanent basis.
Argentina are playing cohesive, modern football, and Lionel Messi looks like he is enjoying himself.
The main question mark over the team is at the back, where the paucity of options means a 34-year-old Nicolas Otamendi is still first choice. Defensive doubts mean Argentina are priced at 7/1 with bet365.
Spain are available at 8/1 with UK bookmakers. Luis Enrique’s side took a while to get going at Euro 2020, but in the end were a little unfortunate to lose to Italy in the semi-finals.
If they can become more efficient at turning possession into goals, Spain will be tough to beat.
Germany And Belgium Moving In Different Directions
Cautious optimism surrounds the German national team at present. Both the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020 were hugely disappointing, and even Joachim Low himself would now surely admit that he stayed on as manager for too long.
However, Germany are looking like a real force again under Hansi Flick, and odds of 9/1 with Paddy Power could fall further if they continue to impress in the upcoming Nations League fixtures with Hungary and England.
Belgium (16/1) seem to be moving in the opposite direction. There is a real fear within the country that the golden generation will end up empty-handed.
This is likely to be their last chance to win silverware, but an ageing backline featuring Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen does not exactly inspire confidence.
There is cause for concern in attack too, with Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard both finding minutes hard to come by at club level. Belgium have plenty of work to do if they are to emerge triumphant in Qatar.
Portugal And Netherlands Among Outsiders To Triumph
Portugal and the Netherlands can both be backed at 14/1 with BetVictor to lift the trophy in Doha.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Co were not altogether convincing in the qualification campaign, as Portugal finished below Serbia and needed the play-offs to book their place at the tournament.
Fernando Santos’ charges were much improved in June’s Nations League matches though, notwithstanding a surprise 1-0 defeat by Switzerland on matchday four.
Santos is safe in the job, but many fans nevertheless believe his cautious mentality means he is a bad fit for a squad which is bursting with attacking talent. Only time will tell whether or not sticking with the former Greece manager was a mistake.
The Netherlands are delighted to be back at the World Cup after missing out on Russia, but they are not heading to Qatar just to make up the numbers.
Louis van Gaal has lifted the mood around the Oranje since he replaced Frank de Boer after Euro 2020, and his side are playing with huge confidence right now. The Dutch could be potential dark horses later this year.
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