We look at the 2018 World Cup and try to identify the teams who are most likely to be disappointing in Russia
We’ve identified eight potential winners of the 2018 World Cup, although seven of those sides are going to end up disappointed somewhere along the way, whether it’s in the final, an earlier knockout round or the group stage.
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Big 2014 failures
There were some notable flops in the 2014 World Cup and none bigger than reigning champions Spain who lost 5-1 against the Netherlands and 2-0 against Chile to bomb out of the competition after just two games.
Italy and England were also notable casualties in Group D as Uruguay and Costa Rica went through instead, while Portugal missed out in Group G at the expense of the USA, having lost 4-0 to Germany in the first match.
Portugal vulnerbale?
Perhaps PORTUGAL could be vulnerable once again, despite the fact that they arrive as European champions after a triumph in France two years ago.
It’s worth noting that Fernando Santos’ team didn’t actually win a game in normal time until their semi-final against Wales and relied heavily on the magic of Cristiano Ronaldo to haul them through to the final where they edged out France in extra-time after a defensive performance.
This time around, Portugal face Spain in their opening Group B match before tricky encounters against Iran and Morocco. A defeat against their Iberian rivals could put the pressure on them to win their remaining matches and Portgual are 3/1 underdogs at William Hill * (Betting Odds taken on June 13th, 2018 at 4.18 a.m.) for that match.
Visit William HillHosts could be in trouble
Hosts RUSSIA will be hoping that their advantage as home nation will help them make the last sixteen as a bare minimum, although they don’t look particularly well-equipped to go through despite being drawn in a favourable group.
Saudi Arabia couldn’t be easier opponents in their first game, although Uruguay should have too much class and Egypt could be the team to extinguish their World Cup hopes thanks to their attacking genius of Mohamed Salah. Russia are 9/4 not to qualify from Group A* (Betting Odds taken from June 13th, 2018 at 4.18 a.m.).
World Cup 2018 outright winner odds*
Brazil 4/1
Germany 9/2
Spain 6/1
France 11/2
Argentina 9/1
Belgium 11/1
England 16/1
Portugal 25/1
Uruguay 25/1
Croatia 33/1
Columbia 40/1
Russia 40/1
Poland 66/1
Denmark 100/1
Mexico 100/1
Switzerland 125/1
Sweden 150/1
Peru 150/1
Bar 200/1
* (Betting Odds taken from William Hill June 13th, 2018 at 4.18 a.m.)
Are Argentina strong enough?
We’re not sure ARGENTINA look particularly rock solid either, despite being listed as one of the favourites for the 2018 World Cup.
The South American side made heavy weather of qualifying for the tournament and they seem particularly top heavy when it comes to the squad, with Sergio Aguero, Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain among the attacking options up top.
Their group includes Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria, none of whom are a pushover and a failure to beat the Icelanders in the opening game could mean a crunch clash with the Croatians and a runner-up position will mean they face the winner of Group C which could be France.
Will Three Lions bottle it again?
ENGLAND have been big tournament bottlers for several years, although we think they’ll come through to the last sixteen and are 2/1 odds at William Hill to go no further. Perhaps it’s going to be COLOMBIA who flop this time around.
They might not have James Rodriguez in the red-hot form which saw the South American side light up the 2014 World Cup and Radamel Falcao’s best days are probably behind him too.
