Brazil good bet at 4/1

Iam not sure if it is just me, but the build up to the World Cup 2018 has been a bit low-key compared with previous years. With the tournament about to kick-off I would usually have had a host of bets but as I write this (less than three days before kick-off), I have very little financial exposure.

That, of course, can change quickly and it is going to be a case of “rather late than never” as World Cup fever has certainly bit.

I do have a small win interest in Spain, taken a couple of weeks ago at 6/1, but the more I look at the teams and the draw, the more I feel Brazil are the business at 4/1. They disappointed at home in 2014, getting hammered by the rampant Germans in the semifinals, but they look to have rebuilt well since and defensively look very sound indeed.

They have a squad packed full of quality players and if the draw goes according to the form book (which I will acknowledge it seldom does), then they should avoid the likes of Germany and Spain until the final.

I am all over the Brazilians as my main bet of the tournament and am also eyeing out a more speculative play of Brazil and Spain to be the finalists at a tempting 14/1.

Given I am putting my eggs in the Brazilian basket, it is not surprising I am expecting great things from Neymar, whose 2014 injury had a massive impact on his side’s chances. Neymar was in masterful form then and, if anything, has improved. The 13/2 he is named the player of the tournament has been added to my online shopping basket.

My final long-term play will be Nigeria to qualify from group D at 23/10. They were excellent in qualifying, despite losing a friendly in England last week, and while it is hard to look past Argentina as group winners, I think Nigeria have every chance of rolling Croatia and Iceland.

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Brent Graham is a sports betting blogger at

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