World Cup Winner 2018 Preview
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I wrote my early preview back in March and it is good to see that 3 of the 4 teams have come in pricewise, find the article here: https://betfairtradingcommunity.com/en/blog/early-fifa-world-cup-russia-2018-preview
I still like those picks as value plays but have one more team to add which I think are being seriously underestimated by the market and that is the mighty Uruguay at odds of 30.0.
Why do I like Uruguay as a dark horse to go far in the tournament? Let me start with some stats:
- Uruguay have made the knockout stages in the last two World Cups
- In 2014 their group included England and Italy both of whom they knocked out
- In 2010 their group included France, Mexico and hosts South Africa - they made the semi-finals that year.
- Uruguay finished second in World Cup qualifying only behind tournament favourites Brazil
- That means they saw off quality South American sides like Argentina, Columbia, and Chile
- They are ranked 14th in the world, in their group Egypt come next at all the way out at 45th place
- They have a very weak group, Saudi Arabia and Russia are not in the top 50 ranked teams in the world
Quite a few strong factors to support Uruguay as a potential dark hose there. Let's continue with their squad.
At the back they have a very solid core with Atletico's stern defensive partnership of Diego Godin and Jose Maria Giminez. In midfield they have the creative talents of Cristian Rodriguez, De Arrascaeta and Juventus wonderkid Rodrigo Bentancur. In attack they have not one but two world class centre forwards (I believe the only nation who can fully justify such a statement) Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani.
They should be a certainty (as we know nothing is in this game) to qualify from the group and I like the price, I would have them around 20.0.
Small back of Uruguay to win the World Cup at 30.0 odds.
