Argentina can clinch first place in Group F with a win over Nigeria in World Cup 2014 action on Wednesday.
World Cup Betting Picture Unclear in Group F Wednesday
Group F odds are all over the map Wednesday and could be moreso by the end of the day. Argentina is favored, Iran is picked as a possible upset.
Ronald Martinez
The Argentines are 1-2 moneyline favorites against the Super Eagles, who currently hold down second place in the group. Nigeria can clinch a berth in the round of 16 with a win or draw against Argentina, or a win or draw by Bosnia and Herzegovina in their match against Iran (where one site is picking Iran in an upset).
The Super Eagles entered the World Cup as 10-1 longshots to win Group F in futures wagering, and 250-1 long shots to win the World Cup title. While a win over Argentina would be considered a shocking upset, Nigerian fans should feel confident about a potential knockout stage showdown against France or Switzerland.
They have never lost to either team.
Nigeria’s World Cup dream could still become a nightmare however, if Group F rivals Iran emerge victorious in their Wednesday match against the Bosnians. Pegged as distant 33-1 long shots to win Group F upon arrival at Brazil 2014, and 12-5 moneyline underdogs in their match against the Bosnians, Iran can advance with a win on Wednesday combined with a Nigerian loss by more than one goal.
In a curious twist, if Argentina beats Nigeria 1-0 and Iran tops Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-0, FIFA would be forced to draw lots to determine which of these two surprising squads will move on to the knockout stage.
In Group E action, Switzerland needs a victory over Honduras on Wednesday to keep their World Cup hopes alive. The Swiss, 2-5 moneyline favorites against Honduras, sit tied in the Group E standings with Ecuador, at three points apiece.
But going into Wednesday’s matches, Ecuador’s EVEN goal differential gives them the edge over Switzerland, who sport a goal differential of minus-2.
Ecuador can advance to the round of 16 with a win over undefeated France on Wednesday, but take to the pitch as 4-1 moneyline underdogs against Les Bleus. After a pair of convincing group stage wins over Switzerland and Honduras, France sits on the verge of clinching top spot in Group E.
While their performance has boosted their World Cup futures odds to 15-2, it is still mathematically possible for France to not advance beyond the group stage.
But it would take a major collapse in their match against Ecuador, combined with a lopsided win by Switzerland, to bring an early end to France’s World Cup dreams.
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