Brazil, Germany, Argentina Dominate World Cup Futures

After finishing atop their respective groups in the opening round, Brazil, Germany and Argentina maintain their hold on favorite status in World Cup futures wagering at Bovada. Brazil own odds of 3/1 to claim their sixth World Cup title, followed by Germany and Argentina, who are both 4/1.

Germany also remain favored to be the top European team in the World Cup, with odds of +170 at 5Dimes. The Germans are trailed by the Netherlands, who have leaped into the mix of favorites with odds of +285 to be Europe’s top squad at Brazil 2014, and are now pegged at 7/1 in futures wagering.

The Dutch had entered the tournament as 25/1 futures wagering longshots at Bovada, but after a stellar performance in the group stage, where they pummelled defending world champions Spain 5-1 and posted clean sheets in wins over Chile and Australia, Netherlands have quickly reversed their fortunes.

Not surprisingly, Brazil is 5Dimes’ favorite to be the top South American team in the tourney with odds of +135, followed by Argentina at +190. But Colombia, with odds of +600, cannot be overlooked. The Colombians scored nine times en route to a perfect 3-0-0 record in the group stage.

Despite their fine performance in Group C, Colombia continue to get limited respect from oddsmakers. Los Cafeteros, currently No. 8 in FIFA’s World Ranking, entered the World Cup in the middle of the pack with 25/1 odds in futures betting at Bovada. They have improved to just 18/1, trailing an equally impressive French squad, who have vaulted to 8/1 after entering the tourney at 20/1.

Chile, who won a pair of group stage matches to finish second in Group B, have been the dark horse pick of many soccer fans. But with a round of 16 match against Brazil on the horizon, the Chileans remain longshots at Bovada, with odds of 33/1 to win their first World Cup title.

Costa Rica, the Cinderellas of this World Cup, enter the knockout stage with odds of 40/1, alongside Uruguay, who had entered the tourney at 22/1. They are followed by the United States, who improve to 50/1.

Greece and Switzerland are both pegged at 100/1, while the two remaining African squads still in action at Brazil 2014 enter the knockout stage as World Cup futures wagering longshots. Algeria sits at 150/1, while Nigeria faces odds of 200/1.