2018 World Cup Groups Betting Preview

Each day brings us closer to the June 14 opener of the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Brazil and Germany are the top favorites to win the whole tournament, but right now we have 32 teams organized into eight groups, randomly drawn back in the winter. Check out our sports betting insights into each group, including who we like to advance into the knockout rounds. In each group we’ll begin with our predicted order of finish, with the 1- and 2-seeds advancing to the Round of 16. Be sure to check out the latest 2018 World Cup odds at our online sportsbook.

2018 World Cup Groups Betting Preview

Group A: Uruguay (1), Egypt (2), Russia, Saudi Arabia

Russia is the host nation — and the only host nation that failed to advance from its group has been South Africa in 2010. One reason for this is that the host nation gets a seeded position in the pot draw, no matter where they stand in the world rankings. However, Russia stands at #66 in the world, and the only World Cup team in the mix with a worse ranking is Saudi Arabia, at #67. They have several injured starters, and it’s hard to argue that they have the ability to gain more than a draw against Egypt. Uruguay finished as runner-up in CONMEBOL qualification, just behind Brazil, and their striking duo of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani will be hard to beat. Egypt has striker Mohamed Salah, who should be at full strength despite a shoulder injury in the Champions League final against Real Madrid. Yes, Saudi Arabia beat Belgium in a World Cup and advanced to knockout rounds, but that was 24 years ago. Since then, they have not escaped group play.

Group B: Spain (1), Portugal (2), Morocco, Iran

Spain had a 9-0-1 record in qualifying, with a +33 goal differential. Their only match without a victory came at Italy. There was also balance in their scoring, as four different players each had five goals. In a friendly against Argentina, Spain delivered a 6-1 thumping. Their roster contains twelve players from the top of La Liga (Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid). Behind them is David de Gea, the goalkeeper for Manchester United. That’s a talented bunch. Portugal brings Cristiano Ronaldo, of course, who has led Real Madrid to four of the last five Champions League titles. He also led Portugal to its first European championship. Morocco is just happy to be in their first World Cup since 1998, and Iran makes its fifth appearance, but have only won game, against the United States in 1998.

Group C: France (1), Peru (2), Denmark, Australia

The French attack is spectacular, with Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Paul Pogba all driving forward. They also have Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud to provide veteran seasoning on offense, and few goalkepers are better than Hugo Lloris. One problem that the French will face is on defense. Peru are in the World Cup for the first time in 36 years despite Copa America semifinal appearances in 2011 and 2015. Qualifying finally went well for Peru, including an eight-match undefeated streak and a playoff win against New Zealand. Captain Paolo Guerrero returns after appealing a failed drug test. For Denmark, midfielder Christen Eriksen will be the central playmaker, along with striker Nikolai Jorgesen. Australia is just happy to be in their fourth straight World Cup after eliminating Honduras in a playoff.

Group D: Argentina (1), Iceland (2), Croatia, Nigeria

This group could be a roller coaster ride, because even though Argentina are the clear favorites, they didn’t qualify at all until the last match. They got drilled by Spain in that March friendly. Lionel Messi will need some solid play from such contributors as Angel di Maria and Sergio Aguero, in case defenders attack him physically and work on pulling him out of the action. Iceland went to the quarterfinals of the European Championship after almost qualifying for the World Cup in 2014. They have the size and strength to score on set pieces but may struggle to maintain possession. Croatia have only gone 2-7 in their last three World Cup appearances. They have a lot of talent up front — but are they as cohesive as Iceland?

Group E: Brazil (1), Costa Rica (2), Switzerland, Serbia

Brazil come in with the most motivation of any team after getting a 7-1 tattooing from Germany in the semifinals on their own home soil. No team has won more World Cups than Brazil (5), and few players in the world bring what Neymar does when he is at full strength. They also have Willian, Paulinho and Philippe Coutinho in the midfield. A lot of people have Costa Rica finishing fourth, but the Ticos shocked a rough group in 2014 and went all the way to the quarterfinals. They have a rock in goal in Keylor Navas and a cohesive group. Switzerland have Granit Xhaka as the facilitator and Xherdan Shaqiri to score goals — but can they advance on the game’s biggest stage? Serbia have Aleksandar Mitrovic, who scored six times in nine World Cup qualification matches.

Group F: Germany (1), Mexico (2), Sweden, South Korea

Germany had a 22-match winning streak end in March, when an experimental roster lost in March against Brazil. In World Cup qualifying, they won all 10 matches by a combined 43-4 margin. The team is so deep that Mario Goetze, who scored the winning goal in the final in 2014 against Argentina, didn’t even make the roster. If Manuel Neuer’s injury issues keep him out of net, Marc-Andre ten Stegen is ready to step in. Mexico is showing some signs of increased sophistication on offense, but as always, finishing the job is a concern with them. Sweden came to Russia without Zlatan Ibrahimovic, showing better organization without him. South Korea needs scoring from Son Heung-Min but will have a hard time getting more than a single point in this group.

Group G: Belgium (1), England (2), Panama, Tunisia

Belgium are ranked #3 in the world, with such stars as Eden Hazard, Thibaut Courtois, Kevin de Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Dries Mertens — and Vincent Kompany, if he can recover from a groin injury. Their match against England will determine winner and runner-up. England have Harry Kane, who scored 30 goals in the English Premier League, and Raheem Sterling as an exciting forward, but Gareth Southgate is not an experienced goalie. Tunisia are missing their best player, in scorer Youssef Msakni (knee). Panama have qualified for their first-ever World Cup, and they have six MLS players. They should shock Tunisia, but then lie down for the top two teams.

Group H: Colombia (1), Poland (2), Japan, Senegal

If you’re wondering who the seeded team is in this pool is, it’s Poland. They got as many points as Germany did in group play at Euro ‘16 and rolled to the round of 16. In qualification, they put up a 8-1-1 record, and they had just one friendly in there, so they couldn’t drop in the rankings with a decrease. They have Robert Lewandowski. However, Colombia has more talent, led by James Rodriguez, who won the Golden Boot in 2014. Senegal have not made the tournament in 16 years, and if things roll right for them, they could be a sleeper. Japan fired their coach in March, so they could look chaotic in Russia.