Argentina could be overhauled by Croatia in World Cup Group D, with Iceland and Nigeria potentially throwing a spanner in the works
The bookmakers will be looking to get some favourites beaten during the World Cup group stage and perhaps they will benefit from Argentina finding things tougher than the odds suggest in Group D.
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Tough challenge for Argentina
La Albiceleste’s first opponents in Russia are Iceland, a team who made the last eight of the 2016 European Championship and their run included a draw against eventual winners Portugal and a 2-1 victory against England. Argentina are 2/7 odds* (betting odds taken from William Hill on June 9th at 00:35 AM) to win their tournament opener.
Iceland also won their group and won’t be fazed by the prospect of clashing with Lionel Messi et al, with the weight of expectation firmly on the shoulders of an attack-minded team who have defensive issues.
Group D Winner Odds*
Argetnina 4/6
Croatia 7/4
Nigeria 9/1
Iceland 14/1
* (betting odds taken from William Hill on June 9th at 00:35 AM)
We saw Argentina lose 6-1 to Spain in a relatively recent friendly and manager Jorge Sampaoli knows that the best way for his team to defend is get on the ball and hope that they can cause damage at the other end.
Along with Messi, Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain mean that Argentina are dripping with quality and Angel Di Maria comes into the World Cup after another excellent campaign for PSG.
Group D To Qualify Odds*
Argentina 1/8
Croatia ½
Nigeria 9/4
Iceland 11/4
* (betting odds taken from William Hill on June 9th at 00:35 AM)
However, this is a tough group for the South American side, with Croatia and Nigeria also likely to ask questions of a team who made heavy weather of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.
Like Diego Maradona in World Cups gone by, Messi will be the subject of special attention and we shouldn’t be surprised if the Barcelona superstar is marked out of the tournament.
World Cup 2018 outright winner odds at William Hill*
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 28/1
Columbia 33/1
Russia 50/1
Poland 50/1
Denmark 100/1
Mexico 100/1
Switzerland 100/1
Bar 150/1
* (betting odds taken on June 6, 2018 at 4:03 a.m.)
Croatia to challenge for top spot?
Croatia look like a team capable of finishing top of Group D, despite needing a play-off against Greece to make sure of their World Cup spot, with the former coming through comfortably in the end. Croatia are 12/5 odds* (betting odds taken from William Hill on June 9th at 00:35 AM) to win Group D.
Despite an unconvincing qualifying campaign, there is plenty of quality within the Croatian ranks and the midfield department boasts super playmakers Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic who should be able to control things from that department.
Mario Mandzukic continues to be a handful in attack for the team, with Dejan Lovren having accrued some decent game time for Liverpool in central defence this season and helping his team reach the Champions League final.
Super Eagles to misfire?
Nigeria have been handed a really tough assignment and look a decent bet to finish bottom of the section, with the African side facing Croatia in their opener before tricky matches against Iceland and then Argentina.
While manager Gernot Rohr seems to have steadied the ship at international level, the team spirit is still open to cracks when the going gets tough and Victor Moses is effectively their most important player which doesn’t speak volumes. Ex-Chelsea man Jon Obi Mikel is captain and midfield general.
Visit William HillGroup D Betting Tips
Croatia to win Group D @ 5/2* (betting odds taken from William Hill on June 9th at 00:35 AM)
Nigeria to finish bottom of Group D @ 6/4 * (betting odds taken from William Hill on June 9th at 00:35 AM)
