Portugal look vulnerable in a tough Group B, with Iran and Morocco not there to make up the numbers
A lot of football fans will take a look at Group B and predict Spain and Portugal to march through to the last sixteen of the 2018 World Cup with the minimum of fuss.
However, the Iberian cousins meet in the opening game and it’s a match where Spain are heavy favourites to win, with La Roja determined to make amends for their horrible showing at the 2014 World Cup which actually started with a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of the Netherlands. Spain are 10/11 at bet365 to beat Portugal in their opener** (betting odds taken from bet365 on June 9th at 00:10 AM).
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Portugal under pressure?
A defeat for Portugal in Sochi means there is pressure on Fernando Santos’ team for the clash with Morocco in Moscow, while they will be up against compatriot and former manager Carlos Queiroz in the final match against Iron.
Despite the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo in the squad, all of the above amounts to a negative against the current champions of Europe, with the team having scraped through the group stage of Euro 2016 before getting the better of Croatia, Poland, Wales and then France to triumph.
There is a clear over-reliance on Ronaldo despite the emergence of Andre Silva at AC Milan, with the former having carried the can for his country for several years, while the centre of defence includes veterans Pepe, Jose Fonte and Bruno Alves. Ronaldo is the 4/7 odds on favourite to top score for Portugal at the 2018 World Cup* (betting odds taken from bet365 on June 9th at 00:10 AM).
Group B Winner Odds*
Spain 5/9
Portugal 12/5
Morocco 16/1
Iran 40/1
* (betting odds taken from bet365 on June 9th at 00:10 AM)
Red Fury look ready
Spain look a much brighter prospect and they’re our best idea of 2018 World Cup winners, with Julen Lopetegui packing the team with playmakers which reaped massive dividends in a friendly against Argentina where the Spanish claimed a 6-1 win.
While Alvaro Morata has had a poor season for Chelsea, Diego Costa is looking sharp for an Atletico Madrid side who have had another successful campaign, while Isco, David Silva, Andres Iniesta and Thiago in line to claim positions within the side.
Spain are priced very short to win Group B at 5/9 odds* (betting odds taken from bet365 on June 9th at 00:10 AM) and qualify, although we can consider one of Iran or Morocco to finish second. Out of them, we prefer the chances of the former who can lay claim to being the best side in Asia right now.
Group B To Qualify Odds*
Spain 1/10
Portugal 2/7
Morocco 3/1
Iran 11/2
* (betting odds taken from bet365 on June 9th at 00:10 AM)
Can Iran or Morocco qualify?
Carlos Queiroz has been in charge of the Iran national team since 2011 and he took them to the 2014 World Cup where they drew 0-0 with Nigeria before losing narrowly to Argentina in their second match, earning rave reviews for the way in which the eventual finalists were held.
It’s likely to be more of the same again for the Iranians, with the team being the second team to book their spot at the 2018 renewal and they actually went twelve matches without conceding a goal during their Asian World Cup qualifying.
Morocco are cut from similar cloth, with the African side regarded as third favourites in this group and they were another side to perform defensive heroics after not conceding a single goal during their six-match qualifying period.
World Cup 2018 outright winner odds at bet365*
Brazil 4/1
Germany 9/2
Spain 6/1
France 13/2
Argentina 9/1
Belgium 11/1
England 16/1
Portugal 25/1
Uruguay 28/1
Croatia 33/1
Columbia 40/1
Russia 40/1
Poland 66/1
Denmark 100/1
Mexico 100/1
Switzerland 100/1
Sweden 150/1
Bar 200/1
* (betting odds taken on June 6, 2018, at 4:03 a.m.)
Group B Betting Tips
Iran to finish second – 4/5 odds* (betting odds taken from bet365 on June 9th at 00:10 AM)
Portugal to finish bottom 14/1 odds* (betting odds taken from bet365 on June 9th at 00:10 AM)
