Europe has won the last three editions of the World Cup with Italy’s success in 2006 followed by Spain in 2010 and then Germany four years ago in Brazil. Five of the last six finalists at the World Cup have been Europeans with the exception being last edition’s losing finalists Argentina. Europe are 3/10 odds in Paddy Power World Cup 2018 odds* (betting odds taken on June 5th, 2018 at 2:19 a.m.) to be the winning continent at the 2018 World Cup which kicks off on June 14th.
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Title heading back to South America?
However, at the head of World Cup, 2018 outright winner market is South American giants Brazil who are 9/2 odds* (betting odds taken on June 5th, 2018 at 2:19 a.m.). Four years ago they bowed out of their home tournament after their nightmare semi-final defeat against Germany but this time around the Brazilians look far better equipped and far better balanced to go and put a painful memory to bed by claiming their sixth World Cup title in the summer.
Brazil are the favourites and they have received a boost of having gotten star striker Neymar back into action ahead of the tournament. There was a fear that he was not going to be able to make it after breaking his foot in March. But in early June he returned to action in a friendly against Croatia and was immediately back among the goals. So that is a huge boost for Brazil and Neymar is also 12/1 odds* (betting odds taken on June 5th, 2018 at 2:19 a.m.) in the Paddy Power World Cup 2018 top goalscorer market. At the time of writing that’s a big price compared to other bookmakers.
Balanced Brazil pose a huge threat
Four years ago Neymar had a tremendous responsibility upon his shoulders because he was their soul focal point of attack. The nation looked to him for goals but this time around the setup of the Brazilians is much different and worryingly for the rest of the pack, it is a much stronger setup. You can struggle to pinpoint a weakness with Brazil, whereas four years ago they had no substance in the middle of the park and were reliant upon playing down the flanks.
It’s all changed now under new boss Tite who has made them a more compact side and not reliant solely on the goals of Neymar. They are more of a cohesive and integrated team now which means that Neymar may have to dial back a bit on his selfishness to fit in. The tactics are stronger, there doesn’t appear to be a real weakness in the Brazilian set up other than perhaps not having the youngest of defences but they look in great shape for a title run.
Paddy Power World Cup 2018 outright winner odds*
Brazil 9/2
Germany 9/2
Spain 11/2
France 6/1
Argentina 10/1
Belgium 10/1
England 16/1
Portugal 22/1
Uruguay 25/1
Croatia 33/1
Columbia 33/1
Russia 40/1
Poland 50/1
Denmark 80/1
Switzerland 100/1
Mexico 100/1
Serbia 125/1
Bar 150/1
* (betting odds taken on June 5th, 2018 at 2:19 a.m.)
Can Germany defend title?
The reigning world champions Germany are the nearest challengers to Brazil in the Paddy Power World Cup 2018 outright market as they are trading at 9/2 odds putting them there has joint favourites alongside the Selecao. Germany’s squad is equally as strong as that of Brazil’s and then it’s really hard to poke holes in finding a weakness there. Germany are so good at tournament football and that has been proven by them finishing in the top three in each of the last three World Cup editions. Can they make the title defence?
The main chasing pack are made up of France, Spain, Belgium and Argentina. Each of those do have their strengths, for example, Spain being experts in possession, France having tremendous pace and power, Argentina being hard to beat and Belgium having their dangerous weapons like Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku who could put it all together on the day and pose a major threat.
Going back to the Paddy Power World Cup 2018 top goalscorer market leading the way is Lionel Messi at 9/1 odds* (betting odds taken on June 5th, 2018 at 2:19 a.m.) and only he and France’s Antoine Griezmann are at a shorter price in the market than Neymar is. Again all three of those have their real merits of course as Neymar is so prolific at the international level, Lionel Messi was Europe’s top goalscorer of the top five leagues, and Antoine Griezmann who is one of the best finishers in the business and is leading a very powerful French attack.
Paddy Power World Cup 2018 top goalscorer odds*
Lionel Messi 9/1
Antoine Griezmann 10/1
Neymar 12/1
Harry Kane 14/1
Cristiano Ronaldo 14/1
Timo Werner 14/1
Romelu Lukaku 14/1
Gabriel Jesus 16/1
Luis Suarez 20/1
Robert Lewandowski 25/1
Gonzalo Higuaín 25/1
Edinson Cavani 25/1
Diego Costa 25/1
Kylian Mbappe 30/1
Eden hazard 30/1
Thomas Muller 30/1
Sergio Aguero 30/1
Isco 33/1
Marco Reus 33/1
Olivier Giroud 40/1
Mo Salah 40/1
Iago Aspas 40/1
Dries Mertens 40/1
Radamel Falcao 40/1
* (betting odds taken on June 5th, 2018 at 2:19 a.m.)
Alternative World Cup betting markets
There are some great Paddy Power World Cup 2018 odds available beyond those two main markets of course, and you can just about get as creative as you like. Other alternative betting markets to look at are the individual stage of elimination, predicting where a team may fall in the context of the tournament. A good way a good way to back an underdog coming through would be perhaps to support them in reaching the quarter-finals.
Uruguay, for example, are 6/5 odds at Paddy Power to reach* (betting odds taken on June 5th, 2018 at 2:19 a.m.) the quarter-finals while Portugal who Uruguay are likely to meet in the round of 16 are at even money* (betting odds taken on June 5th, 2018 at 2:19 a.m.). You can break the World Cup challenge down into bite-size pieces and think of things like who is going to reach the semi finals.
Not only can you back who you think is going to win a group but you can make a call on who is going to finish last, who is going to qualify and even make forecasts (either straight or dual) in those groups where there are two heavy favourites such as Belgium and England in Group G. A straight Belgium/England forecast would fetch you 8/11 odds* (betting odds taken on June 5th, 2018 at 2:19 a.m.). You could also predict which of the eight groups produces the most goals and of course which group is likely to produce the least amount goals.
Create your own World Cup bet
Another feature of Paddy Power World Cup 2018 odds is their feature which is called #WhatOddsPaddy. By using the feature you can ask Paddy Power to price other bets for you that you have made up from a variety of options available like the number goals in the match, the number corners and who is going to get booked. If you look at some existing #WhatOddsPaddy options then you can take something like 11/1 odds on Brazil* (betting odds taken on June 5th, 2018 at 2:19 a.m.) to win every game in 90 min to win the World Cup; or Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani and Robert Lewandowski each score three or more goals at the World Cup for 12/1 odds* (betting odds taken on June 5th, 2018 at 2:19 a.m.).
That feature really allows you to get your World Cup 2018 betting creativity on. On top of all that you will have access to great live in play betting during the World Cup as well with Paddy Power.
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