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Group A in the World Cup 2014 has the favourites to win the entire World Cup in the host nation, Brazil.
Group A also features the 2012 Olympic champions Mexico, as well as Croatia and the underdogs for the group, Cameroon.
Brazil qualified for the World Cup 2014 as the host nation. Mexico qualified after defeating New Zealand 9-3 in the CONCACAF-OFC Playoff. However it should be noted that Mexico qualified after an absolutely brutal qualification campaign, where they won just 2 out of 10 games. They drew 5 and lost 3 and scraped through thanks to the USA’s 2 injury time goals against Panama.
Croatia qualified after coming 2nd in Group A of the UEFA qualification, then defeating Iceland 2-0 on aggregate. Cameroon qualified after defeating Tunisia 4-1 in the CAF 3rd round.
Quick Summary: Despite the low odds, Brazil should storm through this group and are worth betting on. The real value is on Croatia to qualify, or doing a group forecast of Brazil-Croatia at 7/4 odds as well as Mexico to finish bottom of the group.
Let’s have a quick look at the Betting Odds for Group A, to win and to qualify:
World Cup 2014 Group A Betting Odds
To Win: Brazil 1/4, Cameroon 25/1, Croatia 7/1, Mexico 8/1.
To Qualify: Brazil 1/20, Cameroon 9/2, Croatia 1/1, Mexico 11/10.
World Cup 2014 Group A Betting Tips:
It’s hard to ever recommend betting odds of 1/4 on a team. However I still have to do that with Brazil. Looking at the three teams none of them can provide any sort of competition to the Brazilians. You’re going to have an absolutely insane crowd for this game too – and don’t believe any media hype about problems within the Brazilian camp. This is a team that is ready, and they are going to simply dominate this group.
The real question is who will come in 2nd. To me that’s going to be Croatia. Yes all you hear during the previews is how the players will deal with the temperatures etc – but they’re going to be prepared for that. They know it’s going to be a wicked climate.
Neither Mexico or Cameroon did enough for me in qualifying to even consider betting either of them. Croatia aren’t going to go on and win the World Cup or anything – but we’re getting solid odds on them picking up 2nd in the group that I think we have to bet.
I would also recommend betting Mexico to finish bottom of the group. 11/4 odds, and I just don’t understand why the bookies are rating them higher than Cameroon. The temperature won’t affect Cameroon either – and Mexico were just AWFUL during qualifying.
Cameroon also had 57% clean sheets in qualifying which is an impressive stat, and Mexico concede a lot. They have scored a lot too but they’re going to have problems against Cameroon.
Quick Summary: Despite the low odds, Brazil should storm through this group and are worth betting on. The real value is on Croatia to qualify, and I recommend betting that or doing a group forecast of Brazil-Croatia at 7/4 odds as well as Mexico to finish bottom of the group.
