With eight months to go, the World Cup 2018 Winner market has Germany 6.60, France 6.80, Brazil 7.80, Spain 8.60, and Argentina 13.00 as favourites for glory in Russia next summer. Here's what you need to know about their qualifying campaigns so far and what they're up to this week.

Germany

Has there ever been a team more ruthless than Germany when it comes to qualifying for major tournaments? Once again they're enjoying an 100% record in Group C and if their 6-0 win over Norway showed what resources they have in attack, their 2-1 win away in the Czech Republic just before that showed they can also dig deep under pressure. 

Of some concern is the poor form of Bayern Munich, where a handful of Germany starters play their football, but Jogi Low will be confident that won't be an issue come June. 

They play second-placed Northern Ireland on Thursday night and it's worth considering the in-form PSGG wide man Julian Draxler to score in this one. 

Recommended Bet: 
Back Julian Draxler to score anytime @ 2/1 in Northern Ireland v Germany

France

France are top of Group A on 17 points, one ahead of Sweden. They dropped points in their first match, a 0-0 draw at Belarus, which can be explained by suffering from a hangover after their heartbreaking Euros final defeat on home soil. Less excusable was their 0-0 draw at home to Luxembourg in early September. 

Didier Deschamps has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal in midfield and forward positions, the tough bit being deciding who to leave out. Serious injuries to Paul Pogba and Ousmane Dembele may just make his life a bit easier. 

Up next is a trip to Bulgaria on Saturday evening, a side who has scored in each of their four home matches so far. With France's strength being very much in attack, we could see both teams team scoring in this one, at 6/5.

Recommended Bet: 
Back 'yes' on both teams to score @ 6/5 in Bulgaria v France

Brazil

The 'Canarinhos' were the first side to qualify, with the exception of hosts Russia. They booked their place after a 3-0 win over Paraguay in late March and are a remarkable 10 points clear of second-placed Uruguay after 16 matches. 

Their starting XI reads like a 'who's who' of Europe's elite footballers with their key men like Neymar, Philippe Coutinho, Gabriel Jesus, Paulinho, Thiago Silva, Marcelo and Willian strutting their stuff at Europe's biggest clubs. 

Champions League second-favourites PSG boast in Neymar, Silva, Marquinhos, Dani Alves and Lucas Moura five players who could be in Russia next summer and their understanding at club level could be a huge bonus for the national team. 

They're away to Bolivia on Thursday evening and for a side who has won plenty of matches without conceding, 5/2 is generous on them doing so again.

Recommended Bet: 
Back Brazil to win to nil @ 5/2 in Bolivia v Brazil

Spain

Wherever some of their players stand on the Catalunya issue, they all seem to make it work when putting on the red jersey.

A 1-1 draw away in Italy is the only 'blemish' on an otherwise perfect campaign that has seen them score 29 goals more than they've conceded. With matches against Macedonia and Albania to come, it's hard to think the final outcome will be anything other than them topping Group G.

Their performances at the last two major tournaments will be of some concern to would-be backers of them but right now, they're looking pretty good. The absences of Diego Costa (lack of match fitness) and Alvaro Morata (injury) may somewhat limit their goalscoring potential when they host Albania on Friday night but their defence- normally made up of De Gea, Azpilicueta, Pique, Ramos and Alba - should hold strong.

Recommended Bet: 
Back Spain to win 2-0 v Albania @ 11/2

Argentina

Another side who has as its main problem which European-based superstars to leave out from their attack. Not that having all those players has necessarily brought the best results.

They're in 5th place, a delicate place to be. If they stay there by the end of the campaign, they'll face New Zealand in a play-off and that should be no problem. If they finish strongly by beating Peru on Thursday, they'll leapfrog them and should qualify automatically. But anything other than a win could see them passed by Chile, who have a very winnable game at home to Ecuador. This could go to the wire.

Lionel Messi is prohibitively short at 23/10 to score first so the value might be man of the moment Paulo Dybala, who has 12 goals in 10 games for Juventus so far this season.

Recommended Bet: 
Back Paulo Dybala to be first goalscorer @ 4/1 in Argentina v Peru

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