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2014 World Cup WINNERS
Every Four years the World comes together for one sporting event that surpasses the intensity and passion of any other. National pride trumps team alliances and a country's colors are worn like battle scars. This goliath of athletic competition captivates every corner of the earth and we're NOT talking about the Olympics. Of course it's the World Cup! So put on your salsa shoes because we're heading to Brazil.
Some information services dread the World Cup as a great unknown. Their inexperience in handicapping professional soccer becomes very evident when they struggle to make sense of the thousands of players, teams, and countries competing. Our strong ties to professional soccer in both Europe and Latin America give us a winning edge. From UEFA to FIFA, English Premier League to Primera Liga, we understand the subtle nuances of World class soccer. Also our strong network of connections to sports books in Central and South America give us information that you won't see on television or read in the newspapers. We have been able to use this superior information network to breeze through national club League play winning our client's an average of 64% in April and May. And we're confident that we will excel beyond even our own expectations.
Don't get left in the dark for this year's World Cup. We have the superior knowledge, expertise, and information to turn your red card into an equalizer.
Portugal World Cup Preview
Portugal can’t feel lucky to be in the Group of Death for the 2nd straight World Cup, but they advanced out of the group in 2010 and have the 2nd best betting odds to win their group this summer. It helps that they have, maybe, THE best player in the world in Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo. However, while he is the big star of the squad there are other players that have world-class talent, which is why Portugal has the 9th best odds to win the World Cup overall.
Group Preview
Portugal is in Group G along with Germany, Ghana, and USA. They face Germany on the opening match and are the betting underdogs, but if they can take, at least, a point away from that match they may be in good shape. Still, Germany is stacked and has the 3rd best overall odds to win the World Cup. They face the USA next and then Ghana and while their offensive firepower outmatches both of those squads they have to play well in the midfield and be wary of the counter-attack.
BETTING ODDS
Odds to win World Cup: +275
Odds to win Group: +2800
Odds to finish bottom of group: +650
Best World Cup Finish: 3rd place (1966)
World Cup Match Schedule
16//06/14 Germany vs. Portugal – Arena Fonte Nova
22/06/14 United States vs. Portugal – Arena Amazonia
26/06/14 Portugal vs. Ghana – Nacional
Qualifying
Portugal was the betting favorite to win their World Cup qualifying group, but finished behind a surprising Russian squad. They did not have a tough group, but their first loss in the group against Russia and draws against Northern Ireland and Israel put them behind the 8-ball early. However, they regrouped winning 6 of their next 7 matches including an away and home European playoff tie facing a legit Sweden team. In the 2nd leg Ronaldo netted a hat trick and in the first leg he scored the lone goal in the match.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Obviously the biggest strength of the squad is Ronaldo and his attacking abilities, but when defenses trap him other players will have to step up. Center back Bruno Alves is the leader of the defense and he is also solid on offense, especially on corner kicks. Playmakers Joao Moutinho will have to get Ronaldo the ball from the midfield and also help thwart the counter-attack since Portugal pushes forward on offense. The squad is not good at defending corners and set pieces, which may really hurt them facing Germany.
Nigeria World Cup Preview
Nigeria is a fast and powerful team that is coming off the African Cup of Nations, but has had issues in their own football federation and that has hindered the squad playing as a team. Still, the offense is there and while they have a solid keeper the defense is the big issue. They are in a tough group that has 2 other teams that have a better attack than they do and that is a big concern. Nigeria has the 3rd best odds to win their group and is a big time long shot to win the whole tournament.
Group Preview
Nigeria is in Group F with Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Iran. While Nigeria has a legit offense and issues on defense so do Argentina and Bosnia and Herzegovina while Iran is a more defensive squad. It is vital that they take 3 points from Iran in their World Cup opener and if they don’t they could be in big trouble right away. The next match facing Bosnia and Herzegovina may be the big one, as if they lose and then have to beat Argentina in the group finale they are in for a tall task, which is a major understatement.
BETTING ODDS
Odds to win World Cup: +25000
Odds to win Group: +900
Odds to finish bottom of group: +300
Best World Cup Finish: Last 16 (1994, 1998)
World Cup Match Schedule
16/06/14 Iran vs. Nigeria – Arena da Baixada
21/06/14 Nigeria vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina – Arena Pantanal
25/06/14 Nigeria vs. Argentina – Estadio Beira-Rio
Qualifying
In World Cup qualifying Nigeria beat Ethiopia 4-1 on aggregate in the playoffs after winning their African group. They ended the process well winners of 3 of their last 4 matches and overall they did not beat. While they were not playing great teams their defense did come up with 2 clean sheets in their last 3 matches. In every single qualifying match they scored a goal and they ended with a record of 7-0-3.
Strengths and Weaknesses
The attacking strength of Nigeria comes from their 2 star players in the Chelsea midfield duo of John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses. Moses is one of the up and coming while Mikel is the veteran. While these 2 will be pressing forward they cannot get out of position, as they are susceptible to the counter-attack. The defenders are concerns, but they do have a solid keeper in Lille’s Vincent Enyeama. The squad was a resilient one in qualifying coming through and taking points from several matches when they gave up the lead.
Iran World Cup Betting Picks
Will Iran win the world cup in 2014? We have the insiders Soccer information here for you to wager on at your local book and betting parlor.
Iran is a team that has a good defense, but they really lack world-class talent. They have the worst odds to win their group and overall the 4th worst odds to win the World Cup. The squad was not very impressive in qualifying and after they advanced to Brazil they are winless with 2 losses and 1 draw and all of those matches were against teams not playing this summer. In their 3 World Cup they have never advanced out of the group stage and are betting long shots to do it in Brazil.
Group Preview
Iran is in Group F with and Bosnia-Herzegovina, Nigeria, and Argentina. While Iran is led by their defense every other squad in their group is led by a solid attack. They first face Nigeria and that may be their best chance to take points if they can play good defense and get some counter-attack chances. They are very overmatched facing Bosnia-Herzegovina and especially Argentina, who have the 2nd best overall odds to win the World Cup.
BETTING ODDS
Odds to win World Cup: +150000
Odds to win Group: +3300
Odds to finish bottom of group: -175
Best World Cup Finish: Group Stage (1978, 1998, 2006)
World Cup Match Schedule
16/06/14 Iran vs. Nigeria – Arena da Baixada
21/06/14 Argentina vs. Iran – Estadio Mineirão
25/06/14 Bosnia-Herzegovina vs. Iran – Arena Fonte Nova
Qualifying
Iran was up and down in qualifying, as they finished third in their Asian group, but twice beat South Korea, who is playing this summer. They had 3 clean sheet wins in their last 3 matches, which were crucial, and overall had a qualifying record of 6-2-2. However, their 2 losses were against inferior teams Lebanon and Uzbekistan.
Strengths and Weaknesses
The strength of the Iran squad is definitely the defense, but they have to keep teams out of their box. They gave up the most goals from close range than any other team that is playing in Brazil. The midfield and offense are issues Reza Ghoochannejhad from Standard Liege in Belgium has to give the team some offense and hope he can get fed the ball on the counter-attack. Ashkan Dejagah is a MF that plays for Fulham in the England Premier League and he will really be counted on to keep the other teams in the group from dominating the time of possession.
Ghana World Cup Preview
Ghana World Cup Preview
Ghana was a surprise quarterfinalist in the last World Cup, but getting back there is going to be very hard this summer since they are playing in the Group of Death. They have long shot betting odds to win the World Cup and the 3rd worst odds to win their killer group. Still, they have a strong midfield with some world-class talent and their offense averaged over 3 goals per match in qualifying.
Ghana is in Group G along with Germany, Portugal, and USA. They face the Americans in their first match and they may need to take 3 points away from it to have any chance to advance out of the group stage. In an interesting fact Ghana has ousted the Yanks from the last 2 World Cups. They then face Germany where they are big betting underdogs and then end the group stage by playing Portugal. Both of those matches are killer ones with Germany being a loaded squad and Portugal having, arguably, the best FW in the world in Cristiano Ronaldo.
BETTING ODDS
Odds to win World Cup: +25000
Odds to win Group: +1200
Odds to finish bottom of group: +120
Best World Cup Finish: Quarterfinals (2010)
World Cup Match Schedule
16/6/14 Ghana vs. United States – Estadio das Dunas
21/6/14 Germany vs. Ghana – Estadio Castelão
26/6/14 Portugal vs. Ghana – Nacional
Qualifying
Ghana won their African qualifying group and then they won 7-3 in aggregate beating a solid squad from Egypt. In the first leg of the playoff tie they blew up on offense and beat Egypt 6-1 to, pretty much, punch their ticket to Brazil. While they were solid against Egypt they were not impressive in winning one of the weaker groups. Their record in qualifying was 6-3-1 and after a slow start they won 5 straight matches before losing their last one to Egypt, but were already so far ahead after the first leg that loss did not matter.
Strengths and Weaknesses
The midfield is definitely the strength of the squad with the likes of Kwadwo Asamoah, Michael Essien, and Kevin-Prince Boateng, who all play in big leagues in Europe. The defense is not a great one and they do not have a world-class striker. One concern is that they are not a good team when they give up the lead, as in qualifying they did not got 1 point when they were down.
2014 World Cup Betting Futures
Brazil +300
Brazil is the host and the odds on favorite to win their 6th the offense loaded with such world-class players of Neymar, Hulk, and Fred the defense may be the strength of the team. Brazil did not have to qualify as the host, but they have won all of their friendly matches this season and won the Confederations Cup last year.
Argentina +400
Argentina may have the best offense in the tournament, but can they play as a team and advance past the quarterfinals for this first time since 1990. Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain lead the dynamic offense, but the defense is a concern, which is not good with the solid offensive teams of Nigeria and Bosnia and Herzegovina in their group.
Germany +500
Germany is playing in the Group of Death, but they are a great team that does not have a big weakness. The midfield may be the best in the tournament and they breezed through the qualification process.
Spain +650
Spain won the World Cup in 2010 and they are still a great squad rivaling Germany of the best midfield. Cesc Fabregas, Andres Iniesta, and Xabi Alonso are masters in the midfield and dominating the time of possession, but the injury concern to main striker Diego Costa is a big one.
Belgium +1300
Belgium is a young and exciting team that won their qualification group and they are balanced on offense and defense. Romelu Lukaku has a lot of pressure on him as the main striker since Christian Benteke is out with an injury. While Belgium has the talent they have not had much success in big international competitions.
Colombia +2000
Colombia is another South American team with a good offense, but they may not be a good bet since their key striker in Radamel Falcao recently pulled out of the tournament with an injury.
France +2200
France flamed out of the last World Cup finishing dead last in their group. However, while they needed a big comeback at home just to qualify for Brazil they have a good midfield and world-class FW Karim Benzema. On top of that they are playing in one of the easier groups.
England +2500
England has Wayne Rooney up front, a good midfield, and a solid defense, but can Joe Hart be the main GK? That is a big question for the team that has not had much success in the World Cup only advancing to the quarterfinals once sine they were the host in 1966 and won the tournament.
Holland +2500
Holland won their European qualifying group and they have a great offense led by Robin Van Persie. However, they have concerns on the defensive side of the pitch and are in a tough group along with Spain, who they lost to in the 2010 World Cup finals.
Italy +2500
Italy is flying under the radar in Brazil and while they play in a tough group, which includes England and Uruguay, they have the best odds to win it. They have a great midfield led by veteran Andrea Pirlo and GK Gianluigi Buffon is the anchor of the defense. Mario Balotelli is a great talent up front that is very temperamental, but one of the best when he is on his game.
Uruguay +2500
Uruguay has a solid offense led by the trio of Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani and Diego Forlan, but they do not have a great back line defense. Still, they made the quarterfinals back in 2010 and they won the World Cup the last time it was played in Brazil back in 1950.
Portugal +3000
Portugal has, arguably, the best player in the world in Cristiano Ronaldo, but can the other players around him step up when he is bottled up and can the team make it out of the Group of Death?
Here are the odds to win the World Cup:
Brazil +300
Argentina +400
Germany +500
Spain +650
Belgium +1300
Colombia +2000
France +2200
England +2500
Netherlands +2500
Italy +2500
Uruguay +2500
Portugal +3000
Chile +4000
Russia +7500
Switzerland +10000
Ecuador +12000
Mexico +13000
Japan +14000
Ivory Coast +15000
USA +16000
Croatia +20000
Bosnia and Herzegovina +21000
Ghana +24000
Greece +25000
Nigeria +25000
Korea Republic +40000
Cameroon +60000
Australia +65000
Iran +100000
Honduras +100000
Costa Rica +100000
Algeria +100000
Greece World Cup Preview
Greece World Cup Preview
Greece has the worst betting odds to win their group, but they are in one of the weaker ones and have one of the best defensive squads playing this summer. They finished 2nd in World Cup qualifying and while they have lacked a legit striker for a long time Kostas Mitroglou may now be that guy. However, after tearing up the Greek league he played poorly when he transferred to Fulham in the England Premier League. It has been 10 years since Greece shocked the world with their European Championships win and can they do the same this summer?
Group Preview
Greece in Group C with Japan, Colombia, and Ivory Coast, which is one of the weaker groups this summer. Their first match is a good one facing the group betting favorite in Colombia, who may be without their best striker due to an injury. They then face a very tactical team in Japan and finish up group play facing Ivory Coast. The Greeks have the defense and they will be facing Colombia and Ivory Coast, who both have solid attacks.
BETTING ODDS
Odds to win World Cup: +30000
Odds to win Group: +750
Odds to finish bottom of group: +163
Best World Cup Finish: Group Stage (1994, 2010)
World Cup Match Schedule
14/06/14 Colombia vs. Greece – Estadio Mineirão
19/06/14 Japan vs. Greece – Estadio das Dunas
24/06/14 Greece vs. Ivory Coast – Estadio Castelão
Qualifying
Greece finished European World Cup qualifying with the exact same amount of points as Bosnia-Herzegovina, but lost out on the top spot because of goal differential. Their defense was superb in the qualification process, as in their 10 matches they only gave up 5 goals. They drew Romania in the playoff tie and they advanced on aggregate 4-2 winning 3-1 at home and playing to a 1-1 draw on the road. The squad was 7-1-2 with their lone loss coming to Bosnia-Herzegovina on the road.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Defense, defense, defense. I mentioned that the Greeks only gave up 5 goals in qualifying and 3 of them came in the Bosnia-Herzegovina match. They were only 1 of 3 teams that qualified for Brazil that did not give up a single goal on corner kicks in the qualifying process. The offense is their weakness and if Kostas Mitroglou does not find his form the Greeks may be in trouble. While their defense is solid they gave up most of their qualifying goals on headers.
2014 France World Cup Betting Preview
Which France team will show up in Brazil? The one littered with world-class players and performs well or the one that showed up 4 years ago and imploded coming in last in their group? The French had a tough qualification process needing a HUGE come back to home to advance to Brazil, but they have a solid all-around squad and were drawn into one of the weaker groups. They have the best betting odds to win their group and the 6th best overall odd to win the tournament.
Group Preview
France is in Group E along with Switzerland, Ecuador, and Honduras. The biggest match for the French is their 2nd one when they face a tough Swiss team that has a solid midfield and a great defense. They should not have a big problem beating Honduras, who lack world-class talent and have the worst betting odds to win the group. Ecuador has a decent offense, but they have the worst betting odds to win the World Cup from any team that is from South America.
BETTING ODDS
Odds to win World Cup: +2200
Odds to win Group: -150
Odds to finish bottom of group: +2000
Best World Cup Finish: Winner (1998)
World Cup Match Schedule
15/06/14 France vs. Honduras – Estadio Beira-Rio
20/06/14 Switzerland vs. France – Arena Fonte Nova
25/06/14 Ecuador vs. France – Estadio do Maracanã
Qualifying
France came in 2nd in their World Cup qualifying group, but they played pretty well. They only finished behind 2010 World Cup winner Spain and while they lost to them at home they played to a draw against them at home. Overall they only lost one match in qualifying and were unbeaten in their last 3 matches to wrap up 2nd place. They were unlucky to draw a tough Ukraine squad in the playoff tie and lost to them on the road 2-0 in the first leg. However, in the 2nd leg at home they played great and won 3-0 to advance to Brazil.
Strengths and Weaknesses
The French have a good all around squad, but the main strength of their team is their midfield led by Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery and Manchester United’s Samir Nasri. Ribery is still one of the best players in the world that can press the attack and also play solid defense. Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema is a solid striker that leads the attack. The squad is slow starters and that may hurt in Brazil when they face top-notch squads, which they should as the big favorite to win the group.
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USA World Cup Preview
The USA has a solid squad and a good midfield, but can they get out of the Group of Death. Not only are they in the toughest group this summer, but also have to face Ghana in group play, which is a team that has ousted the Americans in the last two World Cups. They have not looked good in World Cup tune-ups with their only wins coming only coming on American soil. They have the 3rd worst odds to win their group and while they have slightly better betting odds to win the group than Ghana they have the best betting odds to finish in the bottom of the group.
Group Preview
The Americans are in Group G along with Germany, who have the 3rd best odds to win the World Cup overall, Portugal, and Ghana. Their first match is facing Ghana and if they do not take away 3 points from that one they have a major uphill battle to advance to the last 16. They face Portugal in their next match and their defense must play well against a great attack. Germany is their last match and they are a stacked squad that has no glaring weaknesses.
BETTING ODDS
Odds to win World Cup: +22500
Odds to win Group: +1100
Odds to finish bottom of group: +110
Best World Cup Finish: Third Place (1930)
World Cup Match Schedule
16/06/14 Ghana vs. United States – Estadio das Dunas
22/06/14 United States vs. Portugal – Arena Amazonia
26/06/14 United States vs. Germany – Arena Pernambuco
Qualifying
The Americans did not have the best start to qualifying with a loss and a draw in their first 3 matches, but after that they won 6 and only lost 1. Their toughest match up in CONCACAF qualifying was facing Mexico, who is also playing this summer in Brazil, and they played to a draw on the road and won at home. In 3 of their last 5 qualifying matches the defense played well with 3 clean sheets and their offense was solid at the end of the process scoring 7 goals in their last 3 matches. Overall, the USA had a qualifying record of 7-2-1.
Strengths and Weaknesses
AS Roma’s Michael Bradley leads the strength of the Americans, which is their midfield and they are also a good team when it comes to close range shots. Jozy Altidore from Sunderland is the main scoring threat, but he has really been in a drought this year and in the EPL this season he only had a grand total 1 goal. Everton GK Tim Howard is, once again, the leader of a defense, which is a go
Spain World Cup Preview
Spain won the World Cup in 2010 and they have won the last 2 European Championships. They are a loaded squad with many world-class players and they may have the best midfield playing this summer. While they have the best odds to win their group they are playing in a tough one including having to face Holland, who they beat the 2010 World Cup final. They have the fourth best betting odds to win the World Cup and in the 2013 Confederations Cup they lost badly to Brazil 3-0 in the final.
Group Preview
Spain is in Group B along with Holland, Australia, and Chile. The first match is, obviously, the biggest one facing Holland and while they are favored the Dutch have a strong team with a great attack. If they can take 3 points from that match it would be a big shock if they do not win the group. They face a dangerous Chile team next that is playing on their home continent, but is still a big betting underdog. In their last match they face Australia and the guys from down under really have no chance in that one.
BETTING ODDS
Odds to win World Cup: +650
Odds to win Group: -138
Odds to finish bottom of group: +5000
Best World Cup Finish: Winner 2010
World Cup Match Schedule
13/06/14 Spain vs. Netherlands – Arena Fonte Nova
18/06/14 Spain vs. Chile – Estadio do Maracanã
23/06/14 Australia vs. Spain – Arena da Baixada
Qualifying
Spain went unbeaten in the World Cup qualification process and they own their first 4 matches and their last 4. In their last 4 matches their defense came up big with 3 clean sheets. The Spanish do have a good, but not great, attack and that showed in qualification, as in their 10 matches they only scored more than 2 goals in 2 of them. Overall, they had a record of 8-0-2 with their only blemishes a couple of 1-1 draws facing France and Finland.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Spain scored in every one of their qualifying matches and the big strength of the squad is the midfield they have led by the Barcelona duo of Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas. The squad plays a fantastic team game and almost always dominates the time of possession. Barcelona DF Gerard Pique and Real Madrid G Iker Casillas lead a great defense that rarely makes mistakes.