BRAZIL FAVOURED TO WIN SIXTH WHILE SOCCEROOS FACE TOUGH TASK
BRAZIL have won the World Cup five times and they are most people’s favourites to add a sixth global crown to their collection in Moscow on July 15.
With players such as Neymar, Philippe Coutinho and Gabriel Jesus in their line-up it’s no wonder Ladbrokes have the Selecao at $5 to walk away with the trophy again.
"You have to trust, you dream," Neymar said last week. "You can talk, you're Brazilian and you can dream; we're dreaming more and more. Dreaming is not forbidden."
Reigning champions Germany, who will be looking for a fifth World Cup, have shortened in the odds and are now into $5.50.
France and Spain share the next line of betting at $7 before there is a gap to the likes of two time-winner Argentina ($10), Belgium ($11) and England ($15).
European champions Portugal ($26), two-time winners Uruguay ($26), Colombia ($34) and Croatia ($34) are all potential dark-horses, while there has been money for Poland at $41.
Australia begins their World Cup campaign with a tough match against 1998 winners France in Kazan on Saturday night.
The market suggests that it is going to be a very tricky start to the World Cup for the Socceroos.
They are $13 with Ladbrokes to score an upset win in their first game of the tournament, while France are $1.25.
One positive for Australia is the fact that France are generally slow starters and they have won only one of their past four opening games at the World Cup.
France are the clear favourites to win Group C and they are priced at $1.33 with Ladbrokes from Denmark at $5.50, Peru at $8 and Australia at a juicy $21.
The Socceroos are $5 simply to get out of the group and they are at the very short price of $1.14 not to qualify for the second stage of the tournament.
There has been some money from some patriots punters for Australia to win the World Cup at the big price of $251.
Meanwhile, the top goalscorer betting market is a very competitive one and there is plenty of value to be found.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi ($11) is currently a narrow favourite from Neymar ($12) and French star Antoine Griezmann ($13).