2018 World Cup Odds and Prediction: Brazil Team Betting Preview

The Brazilians have completely turned around their program heading into this month’s World Cup in Russia, and are the second favourites to secure a record sixth championship. But as was the case four years ago on home soil, good health will be a key component to Brazil’s title run.

 2018 World Cup Brazil Betting Odds

Odds to advance: -1,800

Odds to win World Cup: +450

World Cup wins: 70

Best result: Championship (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002)

FIFA World Ranking: 2

Manager: Tite

Captain: Gabriel Jesus

Brazil Players to Watch

Neymar: Who else? The electrifying 26-year-old’s injury absence from that 7-1 drubbing at the hands of the Germans four years ago still weighs on the minds and hearts of every Brazilian soccer fan – but with 54 goals in 84 career international matches, Neymar is a terrific option at even odds to lead the team in scoring – provided he can recover from his current injury.

Gabriel Jesus: The future of Brazilian soccer will undoubtedly look to put his stamp on his first World Cup appearance – and oddsmakers are expecting big things, making him a reasonable +200 underdog play to finish as the team’s leading goal-scorer and +2,000 to win the Golden Ball award as the World Cup’s most valuable player. He’s worth a look at that price.

Philippe Coutinho: The 25-year-old had a sensational run in South American qualifying, scoring four goals – tied with Willian for fourth-most on the team. If Brazil spreads the scoring around as it did then, Coutinho represents a terrific value play in a number of props, including team goals leader (+900) and Golden Boot winner (+6,600).

World Cup Formation and Projected Starting 11

Formation: 4-3-3

Projected Starting 11: Alisson; Marcelo, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva, Miranda; Casemiro, Fernandinho, Paulinho; Philippe Coutinho, Neymar, Gabriel Jesus

Brazil Strengths

Where do we start? Few teams boast this kind of firepower up front, with no fewer than five players considered significant goal threats at any point in a given match. Tite will set these guys free, which makes Brazil a sensational play at +350 to lead the World Cup in goals – a feat they can accomplish even if they don’t participate in the championship match.

Brazil Weaknesses

You won’t find a major weakness on this roster, as Tite has fortified all three areas of the field to near-perfection; the Brazilians rolled to 12 consecutive World Cup qualifying victories following their opening loss to Chile, and finished the qualifying round with an absurd +30 goal differential. And unlike four years ago, they’re equipped to deal with the possibility of one of their superstars – we’re looking at you, Neymar – being either sidelined or at less than full health.

Brazil News

As mentioned earlier, Neymar is dealing with an injury – specifically, a fractured metatarsal and sprained ankle suffered more than three months ago in a French League match. But Tite has spoken positively about Neymar’s form heading into the World Cup, and is confident that his star striker will be ready in time for Brazil’s opener against Switzerland on June 17. A Brazil/Neymar World Cup/Golden Boot double is worth +2,000 – the best odds of any tournament combo.

Brazil Betting Prediction

It’s hard to imagine this team not getting at least to the semifinals, even without Neymar at full strength. Brazil steamrolled through World Cup qualifying and has a star-studded team that should have little trouble with Costa Rica, Serbia and Switzerland in the group phase. A potential semifinal meeting with France could spell trouble, but Brazil is the deeper of the two teams – and should be considered the favourite to reach the final.

Strangely,if you want to bet on the World Cup, you’ll get a better payout choosing Brazil to either win outright, lose in the final (+600) or reach the final four (+400) than you will for picking them to lose in the Round of 16 (+250). And while some might be a bit gun shy after how Brazil was trounced four years ago, this is clearly one of the top teams in the World Cup – and if you believe they’ll get at least to the semis, you’ll get some nice prices on the top three stages of elimination.