World Cup Favorites in Action in Group Stage Matches

Germany begin their quest for a fourth World Cup title on Monday when they take on Portugal in Group G action. According to the sportsbook at Bovada, Germany is a 1/1 moneyline favorite against Portugal and also sit among the favorites in World Cup futures wagering with odds of 13/2 to capture their first World Cup crown since 1990.

Group G action continues on Monday when the United States and Ghana meet. The two squads sit deadlocked on the moneyline at 8/5 in a match that rekindles one of the World Cup’s newest rivalries. Ghana eliminated the United States in the last two World Cups, and the loser in Monday’s match will have a hard time advancing out of this tournament’s group of death.

Opportunity knocks on Monday for Nigeria in their Group F match against Iran. Pegged as +113 moneyline favorites at Bovada, Nigeria can grab a share of first place in the group alongside Argentina with a win, strengthening their chances of advancing to the round of 16 for the first time since 1998.

Belgium gets their first chance on Tuesday to prove they belong among the World Cup favorites. With odds of 4/7 to win Group H at Bovada, Belgium is a big 2/5 moneyline favorite against group longshot Algeria. The Algerians sit at the bottom of the futures wagering pile with odds of 1000/1. Russia and South Korea meet in the other Group G match, with Russia pegged as a 23/20 moneyline favorite.

Brazil and Mexico also meet on Tuesday in a battle of two undefeated Group A squads. Brazil, who outlasted Croatia 3-1 in their opening match, are heavy 2/7 moneyline favorites against Mexico, who had a pair of goals disallowed in their 1-0 tournament opening win over Cameroon.

Defending World Cup champions, Spain will be desperate for a win and goals when they face Chile on Wednesday. Spain are 20/31 favorites over Chile, according to Bovada, despite a humiliating 5-1 loss to the Netherlands on Friday. Chile is coming off a 3-1 win over Australia and could lock up a berth in the round of 16 with a win. The total is 2.5 in the match, which promises to feature lots of offense as Spain must improve their goal differential, currently -4, to avoid elimination in the group stage.

Netherlands can also lock up a knockout stage berth with a win on Wednesday. The Oranje are 2/9 moneyline favorites against Australia, 12/1 underdogs on the moneyline.