World Cup Odds Preview Group H: Belgium a Hot Dark Horse Bet
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Frank Doyle
One of the most popular dark horse picks at the 2014 World Cup is Belgium Can the Red Devils get through and do some damage in the knockout stage?
Belgium -171
Russia+259
South Korea+800
Algeria +5000
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Belgium:
World Cup Outright Odds: +1660
Qualification/World Cup History: Finished fourth in 1986. Went undefeated in qualifying to finish at the top of their group.
Player to Watch: Vincent Kompany – Belgium is expected to be an exciting side that will push forward with pace and look for goals. However, it’s Kompany at the back that holds the team together. He’s the leader of this squad and has the experience to guide this group under pressure.
Team Forecast:
Belgium is a popular dark horse pick at the World Cup and rightfully so. The Red Devils have a pile of talent and play a 4-2-3-1 formation with three attacking midfielders who have the green light to push forward at will. Romelu Lukaku will serve as the club’s lone striker as long as he’s fit, but his status is up in the air for Belgium’s first match against Algeria after he suffered an ankle strain. Four years ago, Belgium was ranked 48th in the world. Now the Red Devils have jumped all the way to No. 11. They’re in Brazil to do some damage.
Russia:
World Cup Outright Odds: +13000
Qualification/World Cup History: Fourth place in 1966 as USSR.
Player to Watch: Alan Dzagoev – He provided a spark on the wing at Euro 2012 with speed and creativity and should be even better this time around.
Team Forecast:
Former England boss Fabio Capello has put together another solid team focused on defending first and foremost. The Russians conceded just five goals in 10 qualification matches and will continue to stay behind the ball as much as possible with a 4-2-3-1 formation. Dzagoev and striker Aleksandr Kerzhakov are the two players who will be afforded a bit of creative license moving forward. Capello drew a line in the sand when he left Andrei Arshavin and Roman Pavlyuchenko home and should get the most out of his young club in Brazil.
South Korea:
World Cup Outright Odds: +31300
Qualification/ World Cup History: Semifinals in 2002, Round of 16 in 2010.
Player to Watch: Son Heung-Min – You’ll see this 21-year-old all over the attacking zone. He’ll start in midfield but often moves up in the play dangerously. He scored 12 goals in 43 appearances with Bayer Leverkusen.
Team Forecast:
This appears to be a transition stage for South Korea. This club is filled with 20-somethings still trying to find their way at the international level. The South Koreans are best at midfield, especially when they’re attacking, but there are big question marks at the back. This team struggled defending set pieces and will need to finish its chances to have a chance of going through.
Iran:
World Cup Outright Odds: +10000
Qualification/World Cup History: Looking to advance past the group stage in its fourth World Cup.
Player to Watch: Sofiane Feghouli – He is certainly Iran’s most talented player and will be looked upon to be the club’s main playmaker.
Team Forecast:
We’ll probably see Iran use a 4-1-4-1 formation, but coach Vahid Halilhodžić will change that on the fly if need be. The issue for Iran will likely producing any sustained attack, but this side lacks experience with only one player – captain Madjid Bougherra – above 30 years old. Down the road the Desert Foxes could be a threat into the knockout rounds but that looks to be above them right now.
Group H Prediction:
Definitely in on the Belgium bandwagon in this group and beyond. The Red Devils are an exciting team to watch and should be the class of Group H with Russia coming in second. South Korea’s problems at the back will be evident and Iran isn’t ready to get results against this type of competition.