There are 23 days and counting until World Cup 2018 kicks off in Russia. On June 14, 32 teams will begin the biggest sports event in the world. It will take five weeks, but one team will be left standing as world champions. Here’s what you should know.
Teams
Thirty-two nations make up the World Cup 2018. There have been 20 World Cups played previously and only eight nations have ever won the tournament. Brazil have won the most World Cups with five, while Germany and Italy have four each.
Brazil are the World Cup 2018 favorites and go into the tournament at +400 to win it. Germany are second favorites and Joachim Low’s side won the tournament in 2014. Germany are +450 to win the event. Germany have reached the final four in each of the last four tournaments. Meanwhile, Brazil have won’t the World Cup since 2002 in Japan/South Korea.
While Brazil and Germany are the top teams; Panama Saudi Arabia are at the bottom of the odds list. Panama will be playing in their first ever World Cup. The Central American team is +100000 to win the event. Saudi Arabia are at the same long odds to win the competition.
Is there a dark horse?
A team with extremely long odds like Panama or Saudi Arabia have little chance of defying the experts and winning the tournament. A dark horse could emerge but they would have odds that are more inline with the top teams.
Spain could be one of the dark horses of the tournament, although the nation has the third best odds of +600. The Spanish won the 2010 World Cup, but struggled in the 2014 edition. The Spanish didn’t survive the group stage and went home after just three games. This year is expected to be much different, especially under manager Julen Lopetegui.
Argentina could be a dark horse as well. At +900, Argentina have Lionel Messi in the side. The Argentines lost to Germany in the final four years ago. The nation hasn’t won the World Cup since 1986. The team seems to have gone backwards since the last World Cup, but Messi could offer a surprise.
England could offer punters the chance to score big, if the English can win the tournament. Of course, every four years, the English public get excited that the team could lift the trophy. Yet, every World Cup, the national team disappoints. England are better than four years ago and at odds +1800 they are an attractive bet.
Will VAR make a difference?
The World Cup 2018 will be the first edition of the tournament to use the Video Assistant Referee, or VAR. It is a video replay system that allows the match official to review certain aspects of the game, such as goals or potential penalties. The system has been a long time coming. It has already been used in German’s Bundesliga and Italy’s Serie A, and in both leagues it was a massive success.
VAR can either confirm or overturn a call, and it takes the guess work out of the game. It also limits the controversies. Which at the World Cup, it is important to get the calls right on the pitch.
P.S. Upgrade to Zcode VIP Club and Unlock All Winning Picks. Instant Access.
