World Cup 2014 betting: odds on Chile to win, Group B predictions

Chile may be a dark horse for this World Cup, but they have a tall task getting out of their group, which includes the 2010 finalists in Spain and Holland.

Still, Chile is playing on their home continent and when head coach Jorge Sampaoli took control of the squad they caught fire.

The flank attack is the strength of the squad with Barcelona striker Alexis Sanchez leading the way and even with their solid squad they only have the third best odds to win the group.

Chile Odds to win World Cup 2014: +4000
Chile Odds to win Group B: +400

Chile is a solid counter-attacking squad, but one thing they have going against them is their midfield is not great and that will really hurt them facing Spain, as that is their strength.

They did lose a couple of World Cup friendly tune-ups after qualifying, but did not play poorly losing to Brazil 2-1 and Germany 1-0.

They are a threat to advance from Group B, according to some of the top online sportsbooks.

Can Chie keep up their solid play and take advantage of the fact they are playing on their home continent? It is key that they take three points in their first match facing Australia, which they will do.

However, that is all the points they will get. The squad will not get embarrassed playing Holland and Spain, but they will lose both matches and they will not advance to the round of 16.

Things looked pretty bleak for Chile losing their first four qualifying matches, but then they turned things around with the new head coach and did not lose again with five wins and one draw.

In qualifying they beat a solid Uruguay team at home and on the road facing Colombia, who may be another dark horse this summer, they played to a solid 3-3 draw.

11/09/12 Chile 1 - 3 Colombia

12/10/12 Ecuador 3 - 1 Chile

17/10/12 Chile 1 - 2 Argentina

23/03/13 Peru 1 - 0 Chile

27/03/13 Chile 2 - 0 Uruguay

08/06/13 Paraguay 1 - 2 Chile

12/06/13 Chile 3 - 1 Bolivia

07/09/13 Chile 3 - 0 Venezuela

11/10/13 Colombia 3 - 3 Chile

16/10/13 Chile 2 - 1 Ecuador

13/06/14 Chile vs. Australia - Arena Pantanal

18/06/14 Spain vs. Chile - Estadio do Maracanã

23/06/14 Netherlands vs. Chile - Arena Corinthians

Arturo Vidal MF Juventus - The MF is a dynamo all over the pitch and will need to play well on both offense and defense, and especially thwarting the time of possession game facing Holland and Spain in group play.

Alexis Sanchez - FW Barcelona - The key striker for the squad that must give his squad scoring chances.

Gary Medel MF Cardiff City - He is a very solid defensive player that will be counted on to drop back from the attacking Spanish and Dutch squads.