The first round of action at the 2018 World Cup is in the book as the group stage drew to a close on Thursday. So the final 16 teams remaining will now all know who they will be facing in the first knockout phase which begins on Saturday, June 30. The biggest shock of the group stage was the reigning champions Germany exiting the tournament as Mexico and Sweden beat them to the qualification punch in Group F.
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In tournament at which none of the big guns have really excelled is this World Cup going to be as wide open as the group stage suggested that it may be? Brazil are the 7/2 odds outright favourites* (betting odds taken from June 28th, 2018 at 9:34 pm) and really the biggest movers in the market to win the tournament outright are Belgium and England who have been pulled into 13/2 and 15/2 respectively* (betting odds taken from June 28th, 2018 at 9:34 pm).
Now with the first stage over it is time to look at World Cup 2018 knockout predictions.
World Cup 2018 Knockout Predictions
The top half of the draw has ended up with Uruguay, Portugal, France, Argentina, Brazil and Belgium all squashed in there. That is definitely the most difficult half of the tournament to come through and that leaves things a bit more wide-open down in the bottom half where the likes of Spain, Croatia and England are.
Yes, England are still in the mix and now Gareth Southgate’s men are at 15/2 with bet365* (betting odds taken from June 28th, 2018 at 9:34 pm) to get their hands on the trophy. Here we are going to look at knockout betting odds for the 2018 World Cup in trying to look ahead to see who may well can out on top.
Saturday, June 30th
France v Argentina
Uruguay v Portugal
Whatever the outcome of the first two round of 16 matches which are on June 30th, there will be a massive quarter-final showdown. Opening the round of 16 knockout fixtures you have France v Argentina and then Uruguay v Portugal. Argentina are in this mess after only finishing second in their group, which meant that they missed out on going into the easier bottom half of the draw.
The arrival of Argentina there has affected the outright winner odds on France who have gone on the drift to 8/1 odds* (betting odds taken from June 28th, 2018 at 9:34 pm). Argentina have been so poor at this tournament that we are leaning towards France getting through that round of 16 battle and going to meet Uruguay who have the extra firepower needed to potentially squeeze past Portugal. France are 29/20 to win this tie* (betting odds taken from June 28th, 2018 at 9:34 pm) in 90 minutes.
Sunday, July 1st
Spain v Russia
Croatia v Denmark
The Spaniards topped their group over Portugal and that was an important thing as it looks like as their path to the final has really opened up. However, the Red Fury produced some poor defensive displays in the group stage, with far too many defensive errors creeping into their game. However, Russia, who went to the tournament without a win in seven games, opened their account well but then suffered a big defeat against Uruguay in their final group stage match.
The hosts may not have enough about them to actually take on the challenge of exposing Spain’s slack defence and the Spaniards are at 8/13 to take the match win* (betting odds taken from June 28th, 2018 at 9:34 pm). From the other game, Croatia have looked such a strong side at the tournament, moving into 10/1 odds to win it outright* (betting odds taken from June 28th, 2018 at 9:34 pm) that we would expect to see them move past the low-scoring threat of Denmark.
Monday, July 2nd
Brazil v Mexico
Belgium v Japan
Belgium, who beat England to the top spot in Group G get an easier round of sixteen tie as they go up against the surprise package of Japan who have outperformed themselves by getting through to this stage. Belgium though should be able to easily get through their tie, where the Brazilians could then be waiting for them in the quarter finals. Brazil who topped Group E as expected go into a showdown with Mexico in the round of sixteen. It was looking like it was going to be Germany who the Selecao would have to go up against at this stage, but Die Mannschaft fell short and even though Brazil haven’t put in a great performance yet, we can see them beating the spirited Mexicans. Brazil are 8/15 odds at bet365 to do that* (betting odds taken from June 28th, 2018 at 9:34 pm).
Tuesday, July 3rd
Sweden v Switzerland
England v Colombia
The Three Lions make their entrance into the round of sixteen looking to win a knockout stage match at the tournament for the first time in what feels like forever. They get a tough challenge there as they go up against Colombia who are capable of producing some fantastic stuff. The benefit for England is off they get through that it would be Sweden or Switzerland in the quarter finals so there is a big opportunity ahead for England. We can see them pulling through in extra time in what will be tough duel with Colombia.
If they had won their group it would have been Japan, an easier opponent in the round of sixteen but then potentially Brazil in the quarters. In the other match, we are leaning towards Sweden pulling themselves through the all-European tie against Switzerland. They have just that little bit extra in powering forward than the Swiss have may be able to produce on the day. Sweden had Germany rattled in their group stage and handled themselves very well to see off Mexico in their final group stage match to book qualification.
To Reach Quarter Finals
So our knockout predictions are looking at a quarter final lineup of Uruguay v France, Brazil v Belgium, Spain v Croatia and Sweden v England. A way to look at your early knockout stage betting is by taking a look at the To Reach Quarter-Final betting odds at bet365. This is a market where you simply back a team to be taking their place in the final eight regardless of how they get there.
Naturally, the stronger teams are less appealing in the odds to make it, but the likes of 4/5 on Uruguay, 4/7 on England and calling a winner out of that big France v Argentina showdown is going to be more appealing prices. Of course, if you can successfully pick out an underdog then you are going to be celebrating at more profitable odds.
World Cup 2018 Outright Winner Odds*
Brazil 7/2
Spain 4/1
Belgium 13/2
France 8/1
Croatia 10/1
Argentina 12/1
Uruguay 22/1
Colombia 22/1
Portugal 25/1
Switzerland 33/1
Russia 66/1
Mexico 66/1
Sweden 66/1
Denmark 80/1
Japan 125/1
* (betting odds taken from June 28th, 2018 at 9:34 pm)
Semi-Finalists
From settling on your quarter final winners then you can make a strong prediction of who will be in the final four. For our World Cup 2018 prediction, we are looking ahead to Uruguay springing a surprise and making it through to the semi finals where they will be taking on their South American counterparts Brazil.
That is our prediction for the top half of the draw and then in the bottom half, we are actually going to go with another underdog making it to the final four, this time Croatia who have looked one of the best teams at the tournament. They have already crushed Argentina at the tournament and even though they could face Spain in the quarter-finals there is every chance that Croatia can get through that.
Down in the final section of the bracket the tournament is wide open. We are expecting a Sweden v England quarter-final there are and we can see The Three Lions getting through to the final four. So our semi-final knockout predictions are Uruguay v Brazil and Croatia v England.
2018 World Cup Knockout Betting Odds
In looking at our knockout betting odds you don’t have to just focus on the match outrights for each of the games. There is a lot more to delve into like the stage of elimination markets are still on offer, the top European team and if you are bold enough, a name the finalists option. Now that the path is fully set out among the remaining teams, you are looking it becoming easier to predict the finalists. For example, the shortest-priced option in the bet365 Name The Finalists market is Brazil/Spain at 5/1 odds followed by a France/Spain 9/1* (betting odds taken from June 28th, 2018 at 9:34 pm).
Don’t forget also, just going back to the outright winner market, to consider each way odds for your World Cup 2018 knockout odds if you are looking at a contender. You will now generally find 1/2 odds for two places on an easy way option on the World Cup 2018 Outright winner market. Sixteen teams are left standing. Who will prevail?
