Peru 2018 World Cup Odds

Peru ended a 36-year absence from the FIFA World Cup in impressive fashion, and will be riding an eight-match unbeaten streak in meaningful contests when they play their first World Cup match since 1982 against Denmark on June 16.

Los Incas have made four previous appearances in the World Cup, including deep runs in 1970 and 1978, advancing past the group stage in each of those editions of the tournament, but made a quick group stage exit in their last appearance in 1982, failing to post a win for the first time since their World Cup debut in 1930.

However, Peru’s recent stellar performance in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying has paid dividends on the FIFA World Ranking, where the squad currently enjoys an all-time high No. 11 ranking, well ahead of their position at No. 53 following the 2014 World Cup.

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Peru’s Odds to win World Cup: +20000

While Peru’s meteoric rise on the FIFA World Ranking provided them with an advantageous position going into last December’s World Cup draw, their grouping alongside France, Denmark, and Australia in Group C leaves them facing yet another tough road.

Accordingly, Los Incas find themselves near the bottom of the odds in World Cup betting, pegged as a lengthy +20000 wager to claim their first World Cup title.

Peru’s Odds to Win Group C: +900

A fast start to the group stage will be critical for Los Incas if they are to challenge their European rivals as a long +900 bet to capture top spot on the Group C table. Peru is listed as a +240 underdog on the game line odds in their tournament opener against the Danes, whom they have never faced on the pitch.

Los Incas will also be facing France for the first time in their long history, when they battle Les Bleus as lengthy +750 underdogs on June 21, before hitting the pitch as favorites for the only time during group stage action, taking on Australia in the Group C finale as +115 favorites.

A victory over the Socceroos will likely be key to Peru’s hopes of advancing to the knockout stage as a +225 bet. Australia has been shaky at best on the pitch over the past two years, posting consecutive victories just once while amassing a 5-9-4 win-draw-loss record across all competitions during that stretch.

Peru may also benefit from Denmark’s recent struggles. The red and white marched to a berth at Russia 2018 during an 11-match unbeaten streak, capped by a 5-1 demolition of the Republic of Ireland in the second leg of their UEFA World Cup qualifying playoff, but followed up with just one win in four subsequent friendlies, including a stunning 3-2 loss to 118th-ranked Jordan on January 15.

Peru’s Best World Cup Bets

Despite their lengthy absence from soccer’s biggest stage, Peru’s history of success in previous World Cup appearances makes them a side to watch in the early weeks of the tournament. While their +300 odds of getting eliminated in the Round of 16 are likely to attract considerable attention, a march to the quarterfinals remains in reach.

The top two squads in Group C will battle the two leading sides from Group D in the Round of 16. South American powerhouse Argentina is listed as a heavy -180 favorite to finish atop the Group D table and would be a likely opponent for Los Incas should they advance past the group stage. However, Peru has earned points in three of five meetings with the Argentines, who struggled to clinch a berth in this year’s tournament.

Peru also tallied a 2-0 win over Group D second favorite Croatia back in March, and a 1-0 win in a 2012 friendly with Group D dark horse Nigeria, giving additional luster to the +1400 odds of Los Incas advancing as far as the quarterfinals.

Peru’s Player to Watch: Edison Flores

Perhaps the greatest challenge Peru will face at Russia 2018 will be overcoming the loss of veteran striker Paolo Guerrero, who will be unavailable to Los Incas after being slapped with a one-year suspension following a failed drug test last December.

The 34-year-old is Peru’s all-time leading goal scorer, and potted five goals in 17 appearances during CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying, joining Edison Flores as the squad’s top scorer during this World Cup cycle.

Peru’s Road to Russia

Peru endured a tough start to CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying, posting just one win in their first six matches. A pair of decisive victories over Bolivia and Ecuador marked the start of a major turnaround for Los Incas.

Peru clawed their way into an inter-confederation playoff matchup with New Zealand by losing just two of their final 12 matches on the qualification schedule, including a pair of draws with Argentina and a 1-1 draw with Colombia in their final outing, which also bounced Chile, the reigning Copa America champions, from World Cup contention.

A 2-0 aggregate win over New Zealand in their two-leg playoff completed Peru’s impressive qualifying run.

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