The World Cup in Qatar is just 10 days away, and as nations announce their 26-man squads, experts and punters will attempt to decipher who may prevail victorious at the end of December.
Five-time winners Brazil have long been favourites in World Cup betting to claim their first trophy since 2002, and an abundance of youthful attacking talent combined with an experienced back line culminates in a trophy-winning squad headed up by manager Tite, who has lost just five games in seven years.
Best World Cup 2022 Betting Sites
World Cup 2022 Market Favourites
Nation | Odds | Bookmaker |
---|---|---|
Brazil | 4/1 | |
Argentina |
6/1 | |
France |
7/1 | |
England |
17/2 | |
Spain | 9/1 |
Brazil 2022 World Cup Squad
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Manchester City), Weverton (Palmeiras)
Defenders: Dani Alves (Pumas UNAM), Danilo (Juventus), Alex Sandro (Juventus), Alex Telles (Sevilla), Bremer (Juventus), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Thiago Silva (Chelsea)
Midfielders: Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United), Everton Ribeiro (Flamengo), Fabinho (Liverpool), Fred (Manchester United), Lucas Paqueta (West Ham)
Attackers: Antony (Manchester United), Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain), Pedro (Flamengo), Raphinha (Barcelona), Richarlison (Tottenham), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)
Seleção Searching For Number Six
Despite falling to Argentina in the Copa America last year, the World Cup favourites responded in emphatic fashion by registering 12 wins and three draws, netting 38 in the process while conceding just five.
While the focus remains firmly fixed on a stacked forward line which includes the likes of Real Madrid duo Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo, Neymar, Gabriel Jesus and Raphinha amongst others, their chances of winning a sixth World Cup may lie in the experience they hold in defence.
PSG captain Marquinhos has proven himself to be a formidable leader for the Parisians; versatile, quick across the turf and an uncanny ability to foresee danger places him firmly among the starting XI.
Who he is partnered with come their tournament opener against Serbia remains to be seen, but national team captain Thiago Silva remains a loyal general for manager Tite, while Real Madrid’s Eder Militao was instrumental for Carlo Ancelotti’s double-winning Los Blancos side last season.
Biggest Strengths and How They Can Win
The Canarinho rarely concede or ever look like conceding – not only do they have a stout defensive line but they possess a tenacious midfield cohort consisting of deep-lying duo Casemiro and Fabinho, while ball winners Fred and Bruno Guimaraes help to restore balance for free roaming Lucas Paqueta to take a leading playmaker role.
However, a shored up defence allows Brazil’s real danger to take centre stage, with a likely front four of Neymar, Vinicius Jr, Raphinha and Richarlison enough to leave any opposition side quaking in their boots.
Brazil's attack is STACKED for the World Cup 😱🔥 pic.twitter.com/7N91DwcE7p
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 7, 2022
Since winning the 2002 World Cup, Brazil have failed to reach further than the quarter-final stage despite possessing some truly astonishing squads. As history has shown, being easy on the eye doesn’t necessarily translate to success, but this current side are far more pragmatic.
They crave the ball, and when they are dispossessed they hound the opposition with an urgency that no previous Brazil side have.
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Biggest Weaknesses and Why 4/1 is Far Too Short
Despite their relative dominance under Tite, they are rarely tested to their maximum capacity. In qualifying, they failed to win just three out of 17 games while remaining unbeaten, while their post-Copa America final form has been impeccable.
However, that final defeat against Argentina, on home turf, was enough to deter any keen bettor from backing them at such a short price of 4/1.
Following Angel Di Maria’s decisive winning goal on 22 minutes, Brazil looked deflated, short on ideas and lacking cohesiveness as sour egos started to seep into their performance.
While they will be much better prepared after that devastating loss, a group consisting of Switzerland, Serbia and AFCON semi-finalists Cameroon will certainly not be plain sailing. A potential, and very likely scenario awaits them in the knockout stage with either Portugal or Uruguay, while a quarter-final with likely Spain or Germany will be a huge test of their resolve.
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