2018 World Cup Group Betting Now Rising!

With less than 15 days to go, the 2018 World Cup betting frenzy is starting to rise. Teams are all but ready to head to Russia and will do so in a couple of days or so.

The gauntlet has been thrown for all the matches in the group stage and they each have their odds on favorite to win. There’s never a shortage of surprises in the World Cup finals however and always an opportunity to spot an upset.

Do you have your picks lined up yet? Let’s look at the options and favorites posted at BetPhoenix sportsbook.

Group A

Teams: Russia, Uruguay, Egypt, Saudi Arabia

After Egypt’s hero Mo Salah’s injury in the UEFA Champions League final, the landscape has changed in this group and the odds have tilted favorably towards hosts Russia to pass through to the knockouts.

Chock-full of talent, Uruguay is expected to win the group and has a -125 moneyline to back them which gives them a 55.60% probability of doing so. Without too much stern competition in Group A, it shouldn’t be too hard for Uruguay to make it past the group stage easily.

Uruguay first and Uruguay second is at +200 which is a 66.70 percent probable outcome.  

Group B

Teams: Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Iran

The real fight is between Portugal and Spain. Europe’s reigning champions versus the 2010 World Cup winning Spaniards.

The first game will likely determine the winner of the group, but at -108, Spain is not the heavy favorite. Whatever team Cristiano Ronaldo plays with will always be dangerous, and Portugal has other incredible players as well.

Spain however is gaining back its former glory with a renewed team full of experience and young blood. The squad includes such grizzled veterans as Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique, and Andres Iniesta as up-and-coming talent of the likes of Isco, Marco Asencio, and Alvaro Morata.

Spain is the -200 favorite to win the group which is a 66.70% probability of occurring. But if you think Portugal will finish first and Spain second, then you’re betting on a +275 moneyline which is a 25% probability of happening.

Group C

Teams: France, Australia, Peru, Denmark

No surprise which team is the favorite in Group C. France’s ranks are brimming full of talent so much so they’re considered among the favorites to win the 2018 World Cup.

France seems to get in their own way and it’s often led to disaster such as their loss of the Euro Cup 2016 to Portugal on their home soil. France has yet to prove they can win a title let alone another World Cup.

Though Australia and Peru have more experience, Denmark is among the most exciting up-and-comers in the tournament and could be its dark horse team.

France has a -350 moneyline to win the group which is a 77.80% probability of happening while France first and Denmark second has a +150 moneyline for a 40% probability of happening.

Group D

Teams: Argentina, Iceland, Croatia, Nigeria

It’s considered by some as the “Group of Death,” but even if it’s not it’s still a tough group to win. The burden is on an Argentina, however, led by arguably the world’s best player Lio Messi to pass through leading the group as its favorite.

Croatia is back to the World Cup finals and has assembled a team that packs a wallop with the likes of Luka Modric, Mario Mandzukic, Ivan Rakitic and, Ivan Perisic among its most notable players.

At -165, Argentina is expected to win the group with a 62.30% of probability. Argentina first, Croatia second is at +175 which is a 36.00% probability of happening.

Group E

Teams: Brazil, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Serbia

There’s no guessing in this group on which team will win first place. If it’s not Brazil it would be the shock of the tournament. Brazil is back to its former glory and has gotten over their national embarrassment on their home soil against Germany when they lost 7-1.

The team has found its way back, led by Coach Tite and spearheaded by the likes of Neymar, Firmino, Willian, Coutinho, Douglas Costa, Gabriel Jesus, and Paulinho.

The three remaining teams will have a fight for the second place. All three have world cup experience with Costa Rica having the most recent success in Brazil 2014 when it reached the quarterfinals to lose against Holland.

Brazil is the -350 moneyline favorite to win the group, which is a 77.80% probability of happening. The odds look good for Switzerland to finish second behind Brazil at +175 but at +225 a bet on Serbia also holds value. Don’t count Costa Rica out even at +600 to earn the second place.

Group F

Teams: Germany, Mexico, Sweden, South Korea

Another difficult group and not only because the reigning world champions are in it. Germany does, however, remain the favorite to win the group and among the teams favored to win the World Cup.

Coach Joachim Low has assembled a team that’s gone undefeated in all games in 2017 and includes such grizzled veterans like Thomas Muller, Jerome Boateng, Toni Kroos, and Mesut Ozil as young talent such as Julian Draxler and Lars Stindl.

Mexico, Sweden, and South Korea are also strong teams with perhaps the Mexicans being the favorites to win second place. Mexico has a strong performance in Brazil 2014 and bring together plenty of talent with the likes of West Ham’s Javier Hernandez, Real Betis’ Andres Guardado, and PSV’s Hirving Lozano.

Germany is the -300 moneyline favorite to win the group which is a 75.00% probability of happening. Germany first and Mexico second seems to be a good bet at +185 which is a 35% probability of happening.

Group G

Teams: Belgium, England, Tunisia, Panama

Belgium has plenty to answer to if they can’t live up to all the hype, but it is true that it holds talent brimming to the top. Coach Roberto Martinez’ squad is chock-full of quality players including Manchester United’s Romelu Lukaku, Chelsea’s Eden Hazard, and favorite to win the PFA Player of the Year award Kevin De Bruyne.

England joins the fray and is expected to win second place at the very least, if they don’t choke and leave on early exit as their fans have come to expect. Not much to say about Tunisia and Panama as they’re as unknown as a riddle with not much World Cup experience among the two squads.

 Belgium is the favorite to win the group at -120 which is a 54.50% probability. Belgium first and England second is a likely bet at +135 which is a 43% probability of happening.

Cup Group H

Teams: Poland, Colombia, Senegal, Japan

The last group is a smorgasbord of teams ranging from Europe, South America, Africa and Asia. It should give for interesting competition, though it doesn’t exactly glimpse a favorite to win the group.

Poland reached the quarterfinals in the Euro 2016 with a core that remains pretty much the same for World Cup 2018. Robert Lewandowski is tasked with bringing home the glory for Poland.

Colombia is also expected to have a good showing and should be a solid contender to win the group and advance to the knockout stage.

Colombia is the slight favorite at +135 but is followed closely by Poland with a +175 moneyline to win the group. Colombia first, Poland second is a +350 moneyline which is a 22.20% probability of happening.

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