Pro Bookmaker Picks World Cup Winner
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It’s finally that time when, every four years, we settle who the best soccer team is in the world.
The World Cup generally is held during the summer, but since it is being contested in Qatar this year and is too warm there during those months, organizers chose to contest it during the fall and winter.
This year, Gambling.com asked Penn Entertainment's Casey Lewless, sportsbook manager at the Margaritaville and Boomtown casinos in Bossier City, Louisiana, to pick his favorites in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The competition is being held from Nov. 20 to Dec. 18.
U.S. Has A Shot At Advancing
In Group A, it would seem logical that the Netherlands would advance. They are not a Top 5 world power anymore, but they’re better than most in this group. The second team to advance will come down to Ecuador and Senegal. Senegal is a slight favorite to advance, but this is a coin flip.
In Group B, a rejuvenated England team looks like a lock to advance, with Wales and the United States fighting it out for the second spot. Wales is led by Gareth Bale, who, even at age 32, might be the best player on the pitch when the U.S. and Wales meet, but he doesn’t have a lot of support. I’m going with England and the U. S. advancing from Group B.
Group C features Argentina, a team many believe will make it to the finals. It’s still Lionel Messi team, but Argentina is deep, with enough across-the-board talent to move on. Mexico and Poland will fight for the other spot in this group. I’m taking the Polish team to advance.
Brazil Expected to Dominate
In Group D, it’s France. Les Bleus will advance along with Denmark. Tunisia and Australia won’t provide much resistance.
Group E looks like Spain and Germany will advance by default. This is a teams-of-the-last-decade group, as Germany and Spain had squads in the past that were much more formidable. Costa Rica has no chance, and Japan will be scrappy, but my money is on Spain and Germany to move on.
From Group F, Belgium will advance behind the play of Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard, and Kevin De Bruyne. Croatia, Morocco and an upstart Canada team will fight it out for the second advancing spot. I’ll call it Croatia on grit alone.
In Group G, Brazil will advance with what might be one of the deepest teams ever. Switzerland and Serbia likely will fight it out for the other spot. By default, my call is that Switzerland will move on.
Group H looks like Portugal and Uruguay. No surprises there.
I’ll call a Final Four of Argentina, Brazil, France and Belgium.
I see value in Belgium at 18-1, but Brazil, at 5-1, will emerge as champions.
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