Action will get underway for Group H at the 2014 World Cup on Tuesday as Belgium takes on Algeria.
World Cup odds preview: Belgium, Brazil, Russia favored Tuesday
Brazil is favored big again, while Belgium and Russia open Group H betting on top of the World Cup odds ladder.
Michael Regan
Belgium, 4/7 favorites to take the top spot in the group, are 2/5 moneyline favorites against an Algerian squad sporting odds of 7/2 to not score a goal during the entire tournament. Belgium’s youth movement has been quick to bear fruit. The highly-skilled squad surprised many by emerging as a World Cup top-pod seed, which led to their favorable draw into Group H.
Despite being a group-stage favorite, Belgium are not currently among the favorites in futures wagering, with long odds of 22/1 to win their first title. Algeria are 15/4 long shots to advance to the Round of 16 and 1000/1 to win the tournament. They are expected to be overmatched in their opening game against the high-powered Belgians.
Brazil and Mexico also meet Tuesday in a battle of Group A leaders. Host Brazil are strong 2/7 moneyline favorites to continue a home turf winning streak that extends back 39 years. After defeating Croatia 3-1 in their first group stage match, Brazil are incredible 1/16 favorites to capture the top spot in Group A.
Mexico sit at 8/1 on the moneyline against Brazil, but cannot be taken lightly. Mexico dominated Cameroon in their opening match; a 1-0 win during which two Mexican goals were disallowed on questionable calls. While the squad’s group odds have improved to 20/33 to advance, they remain a 125/1 long shot in World Cup futures wagering.
Tuesday’s third match has Russia taking on South Korea in another Group H battle. The Russians are 10/11 moneyline favorites in what is just the second all-time meeting between the two squads. Russia claimed a 2-1 victory over South Korea in a friendly last November.
South Korea has struggled since that loss, dropping four of six matches leading up to the tournament. However, the Koreans own a solid recent track record at the World Cup, qualifying for the knockout stage in two of the last three World Cups.
With World Cup matches so far averaging more than three total goals per game, Russia’s vaunted defense could be put to the test. The TOTAL in their match against South Korea is pegged at 2, with a 20/33 moneyline on the OVER, and 27/20 on the UNDER.
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