Brazil 2018 World Cup Odds

Brazil bettors will undoubtedly enter this year’s edition of the World Cup with mixed emotions. After what can be characterized as nothing less than a disaster in 2014 on home soil, culminating in an astounding 7-1 defeat to eventual champion Germany, the Brazilians head to Russia 2018 motivated by that loss and a qualification run that saw them lose just one game.

The Seleção enter the World Cup in Russia as betting favorites, and with good reason. Brazil looked very good through the majority of their qualification schedule, and have a starting XI that will challenge all comers.

Brazil has been World Cup champion a record five times, and as usual they feature a long list of superstars in their bid for a sixth. Since replacing Dunga, current bench boss Tite has seen success with and without talisman Neymar Jr. and that could prove crucial considering the forward’s unpredictability and recent injury woes.

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Brazil’s odds to win World Cup: +400

Sportsbook is offering Brazil at +400 to be crowned World Cup champion in Russia this year. With scoring options all over the pitch, offense should not be an issue for this group. Since their woes of 2014, Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus has emerged as a viable option at center-forward for Brazil, recording seven goals and five assists through 10 games in qualification.

Defending typically comes into question when handicapping the Brazilians – their fullbacks are prone to getting caught due to their attacking responsibilities from time to time. However, this year’s side features high-level players in Miranda, Thiago Silva and Marquinhos at the back to shore up the middle. Brazil conceded just 11 times in their 18 qualification matches, largely thanks to standout keeper Alisson, who posted nine clean sheets in that run.

BRAZIL'S Odds to win Group E: -350

Betting odds to win Group E from online shop Sportsbook see Costa Rica at +2800, Serbia at +750, Switzerland at +650 and Brazil as the clear favorite at -350. Not much value here on Brazil, but they should get through these fixtures with little resistance.

Serbia has the biggest potential to take points off Brazil. They play a very physical brand of football that will most certainly frustrate a side that will want to play a finesse game. Look for the Brazilians to try to draw a lot of fouls in this fixture and if the calls don’t go their way, the South Americans will get themselves into trouble with any attempt to match the Serbians in physicality.

I don’t expect the Costa Ricans to repeat their miracle run from 2014 in Brazil. Keylor Navas was otherworldly between the wickets through that tournament but they showed little else to persuade me to consider them as challengers in this group.

The Swiss certainly have a quality side and can play organized team football, but I’m very apprehensive in thinking they will create waves in Group E.

Brazil'S Best World Cup Bets

Neymar seems like the safe bet when it comes to finishing as leading scorer for Brazil at the World Cup this year, and with the odds at +150, I wouldn’t question it for a second. Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus at the price of +300 is a little more tempting for me, though. The 21-year-old from São Paulo potted seven in 10 qualification games for his country and 16 through all competitions sporting a Citizens strip. Look for the youngster to find the net often on a side that will surely provide exceptional service.

Another worthwhile punt is to take Brazil to finish first and Serbia to finish second in Group E, being offered at +180.

BRAZIL'S Player to watch: Roberto Firmino

Firmino is a player who continues to impress in his tenure at Liverpool. He gets it done in so many ways: he can finish as well as anyone, delivers clinical passes short, long, through the air or otherwise and is one of the best tacklers on the planet at his position.

Expect him to be involved in not only the offensive looks from Brazil, but in creating counters and errors through his relentless pressure. Which is why I like his odds at +6600 to receive the Golden Ball Award being offered by online shop Sportsbook.

BRAZIL'S Road to Russia

Following their embarrassing exit from 2014’s tournament, manager Luiz Felipe Scolari was promptly sacked and former superstar Dunga was offered his second stint as Brazil boss. That experiment was short-lived after Brazil exited the Copa America in the group stage and even sat as low as sixth in the World Cup qualification table.

Dunga was once again shown the door and made way for longtime Brazilian domestic league coach Tite. Tite shepherded The Seleção to a first-place finish in the group and did so with limited services from both Neymar (suspension) and Premier League standout Firmino (injury).

This preview was originally posted on 2018-05-11 and was updated on 2018-06-14

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