The World Cup is exciting not just because we get to see the best National teams play, it also has had so many underdogs pull off incredible upsets that it almost impossible to predict the outcome of any match
As we approach the tournament’s group stage matches, here is our prediction of teams that will qualify for the second round of the World Cup and some betting odds.
Group A
Group A has the hosts Qatar, the great African hope Senegal, Ecuador and the Netherlands. Over the last international break, Qatar lost 0-2 to Canada and played out a respectable 2-2 draw with Chile. Despite this, Qatar are still the least favourite to make it out of the group, even though the host country has historically done well at the world cup, only South Africa have failed to qualify out of the group as host nation.
They kick off the tournament against Ecuador and will hope the backing of the home fans helps them to a result that could set them on the way to an unlikely second round qualification. Ecuador have an outside chance of qualifying if they weather the hostile atmosphere and pressure of playing the tournament’s opening match. If they get the likely win against Qatar, they will only need a win against either Senegal or the Netherlands to qualify.
However, the group’s favourites are Senegal and the Netherlands. In the lead-up to the Mundial, Netherlands topped their UEFA Nations League group undefeated, beating Poland and Belgium in their last two matches of the group.
Senegal prepared for the tournament with two warm up friendlies against Iran and Bolivia. They played a 1-1 draw against Iran and won 2-nil against Bolivia.
Bet on:
Netherlands and Senegal to qualify @ 1.90
Netherlands and Ecuador to qualify @ 3.10
Qatar and Netherlands to qualify @ 6.50
Group B
England are the favourites to top a group that includes Iran, Wales and USA. However, their poor run of games in the Nations League has many doubting Gareth Southgate’s team. They can take some positives from their last Nation’s League match when they put three goals past Germany, the downside of that result is that the defense also shipped three goals. They are fortunate to be placed in a less difficult group than their Nations League group and should be able to manage the two wins needed to qualify out of the group.
While Iran are the dark horses here, they nearly squeezed through at the last World Cup, despite being in the same group as Portugal and Spain. They will be aiming to do better this time especially with the perceived weakness of the other teams not named England.
The USA were rather shoddy in their last two matches before the World Cup, looking hapless against a Japan side they lost 2-0 to and only managing a goalless draw against Saudi Arabia.
Wales had a fairytale qualification campaign but struggled in a rather tough Nations League group, they have Gareth Bale playing in what is his first and most likely World Cup and will be hoping Wayne Hennessey reproduces some of the heroics that saw them qualify for their first ever World Cup.
Bet on:
England and Iran to qualify @ 8.00
England and USA to qualify @ 1.90
England and Wales to qualify @ 2.60
Group C
Argentina should have little trouble winning this group, they have been in outstanding form and are unbeaten in 35 matches, three games away from breaking Italy’s world record.
They might have struggled at the last world cup, but they boast a much better goalkeeper and defense.
Poland led up to the World Cup with just two wins from 6 matches in their Nations League group, finishing only above Wales, although they were in a tough group that included Belgium and Netherlands. They will look to improve on the stage that counts and with Robert Lewandowski leading the lines, they should be able to join Argentina in the second round.
Mexico have not boasted the usual high caliber of talent their teams usually possess, but have great pedigree at the World Cup, successfully qualifying out of the group stage every time they have played at the World Cup.
Saudi Arabia are the weakest team in the group and will be a huge upset if they manage to get a win over any of the other teams in the group.
Argentina and Poland to qualify @ 2.00
Argentina and Mexico to qualify @ 2.30
Mexico and Poland to qualify @ 12.00
Group D
This Group has the defending champions and tournament favourites France in it, alongside Denmark, Australia and Tunisia.
France know the curse of the defending champions struggling at the next tournament they play and will be looking to rubbish that claim, they however looked ill-prepared for the tournament in their matches leading up to the group stage. They finished third in a Nations League group that included Austria, Croatia and Denmark. It is still hard to bet against Les Bleu winning this group.
Denmark on the other hand, have looked good coming into the tournament, they were unbeaten in their Nations League group and boast an exciting mix of young and savvy players. They beat France twice in the Nations League and appear to have France’s number at the moment, they should make it past the group stage if they take their pre-World cup form to Qatar.
Australia and Tunisia are not likely to make it out of the group. Tunisia were soundly beaten 5-1 by Brazil in a friendly and will have their work cut out for them against Denmark and France.
Australia qualified behind Japan and Saudi Arabia, and will be facing much more difficult opponents when they play in group D.
Bet on:
France and Denmark to qualify @ 1.40
France and Tunisia to qualify @ 7.00
Denmark and Tunisia to qualify @ 25.00
Group E
While it can seem straightforward to name Spain and Germany as qualifiers out of a group that includes them, Japan and Costa Rica, both Germany and Spain have been inconsistent in their matches before the tournament.
In the Nations League, Germany were beaten by Hungary, while Spain lost to Switzerland. They however, remain favouritesconsidering the experience and talent they have in their teams.
Costa Rica and Japan are very good sides and it will come as too much of a surprise if they get a result against the favourites. Germany and Spain will have to improve the level of their performances in the matches they will play in the group, but are capable of producing the needed quality that will see them through to the next round.
Bet on:
Spain and Germany to qualify @ 1.20
Spain and Japan to qualify @ 8.50
Germany and Japan to qualify @ 11.00
Group F
Belgium, Croatia, Morocco and Canada make up group F. Belgium finished behind Netherlands in their nations League group but remain favourites to qualify out of the group. They will be challenged by Croatia who have looked excellent coming into the tournament, topping a Nations League group that includes France, Denmark and Austria.
Morocco replaced Vahid Halilhodžić after he helped them qualify for the World Cup with Walid Regragui. The positive from that is Regragui has recalled Hakim Ziyech, whose creativity will be needed if Morrocco are to qualify from the group. They do look better under their new coach, they beat Chile 2-0 in a preseason friendly and played a goalless draw with Paraguay.
Canada qualified for their second ever World Cup appearance after a 36-year absence and have some exciting youngsters in the team, however a lack of experience at this level could be their undoing.
Croatia and Belgium are favourites for a reason, they have the better talent and experience at this level and should see themselves making it out of the group.
Bet on:
Belgium and Croatia to qualify @ 2.50
Belgium and Canada to qualify @ 25.00
Croatia and Canada to qualify @ 22.00
Group G
Brazil are one of the favourites to win the World cup this year, so it comes as no surprise that they are also favourites to win their group. Serbia, Cameroon and Switzerland will not make it easy for them, but the Brazilians have been in imperious form.
They haven’t lost a match since their Copa America final loss to Argentina, with Neymar leading the line in what might be his last ever World Cup, they are quite the attacking force with a much better backline than they had at the last world cup tournament.
For second place in this group, it is a toss up between Serbia and Switzerland, both teams are playing at a very high level with their group stage clash on matchday 3 possibly deciding which of them qualifies out of the group.
Cameroon have had some exciting World Cup runs, with the Roger Milla-led 1990 squad easily coming to mind, however, they look like the least talented of the four teams and will be a huge upset if they get a win against any of the three other teams
Bet on:
Brazil and Switzerland to qualify @ 2.20
Brazil and Serbia to qualify @ 2.50
Brazil and Cameroon to qualify @ 5.50
Group H
The last but definitely not the least exciting group at the World Cup has Ghana, Portugal, Uruguay and Korea Republic.
The Portuguese team jumps out as favourites, they are swell with talent at every position and Cristiano Ronaldo will want to win the World Cup in what might be his last chance.
Uruguay are the historically most successful team in the group and consistently perform well at the World Cup. They will look to continue their tradition of qualifying out of the group stage, a feat they have done 10 out of the 13 times that have been at the World Cup.
Ghana have recruited quite a number of new players to join the squad and will field a team quite different from the one that helped them qualify for the tournament. However, it is unlikely the team will have had enough time to become a cohesive team when they play in Qatar.
Korea Republic have a dangerous attack that includes Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan, the team also includes Kim Min-jae who has been a revelation for Napoli at the back this season, they could be the dark horses in this group.
Bet on:
Portugal and Korea Republic to qualify @ 5.50
Portugal and Uruguay to qualify @ 1.60
Portugal and Ghana to qualify @ 5.50
We’ve got the edge. Get real-time reports, breaking scoops, and exclusive angles delivered straight to your phone. Don’t settle for stale news. Join LEADERSHIP NEWS on WhatsApp for 24/7 updates →
Join Our WhatsApp Channel
