Sometimes football contradicts everything you think you know about the game. It's so difficult to predict the outcome of any single match, but for every tournament there's always the favorites and the dark horses ready to upset the books of the master pundits. Yet, there stand another group that may never go all the way to grab the trophy, but are pose as great barriers to truncate the chances of both the favorites and the dark horses. They are called the Giant Killers
Of course, not every country that qualify for the mundial stand any realistic chance to win, there are some who come to make up the numbers and no one expect them to go pass the group stage. The world cup is for friendship and not all about winning. It's about the life time experience...are usually talks to soothe egos of the Underdogs.
The 21st edition of the World Cup kicks off in under forty days and some of the best players in world football will grace the stage in Russia. Here we spotlight the favorites, the dark horses, the giant killers and the underdogs.
Who Are The Favorite to Win 2018 Fifa World Cup
Given the fact that they are the holders and recently won the Confederations Cup - with a second-string team, no less - Germany are considered favourites to win the World Cup according to dabblebet. Joachim Low's side are rated 9/2 to emerge triumphant in Moscow on July 15.
Brazil is another favourites to win the tournament with the Selecao also having odds of 9/2 attached to them, despite doubts lingering over the fitness of their talisman Neymar. Tite's side finished comfortably top of the CONMEBOL qualification series, 10 points ahead of second-place Uruguay. The Braxilan team that won Olympic gold medal has seamlessly graduated into the senior national side. Russia maybe a day of revenge against the humiliation of the German machines (if they cross part).
As well as Germany and Brazil, France are among the favourites to win the competition 10 years after their first and only triumph. It is not surprising to see Les Bleus so highly rated (11/2) considering that Didier Deschamps has an impressive pool of talent to draw from, which includes the likes of Paul Pogba and Antoine Griezmann.
The 2010 world champions Spain may not be the same Furia Roja that dominated international football from 2008 to 2012, but, with players such as Sergio Ramos, Isco and Andres Iniesta at their disposal, the Spanish side may be the most ruthless and most fearsome teams in the world.
They may have crashed out at the group stage in 2014, but they are considered 6/1 bets to win in 2018.
Argentina was finalist in 2014, but the outlook does not look particularly good for 2018. Argentina's qualification campaign almost ended in disaster and they needed a moment of Messi magic in the last game to secure their place at the tournament. And that's it a team that has Messi and World class qualities like Haguin, Dybala, Aguero just needed a little time out of club engagement to jell.
They are priced 9/1 to win the tournament, but they suffered 2-4 loss against Nigeris and a 6-1 hammering at the hands of Spain, which, while friendlies, simply does not speak well of their reputation. But not be deceived the Agentine have enough fire power to go all the way.
The Favorites
- Germany
- Brazil
- France
- Spain
- Argentina
Who Are The Dark Horses Capable of Upstaging The Favorite
European champions Portugal have not been given much of a chance by bookmakers at 25/1 but it would be foolish to disregard the Cristiano Ronaldo factor. The Real Madrid man has finally rediscovered the kind of form that ensured a slew of accolades last season and he bagged a remarkable 15 goals in qualification.
Fernando Santos' team is peppered with talented youngsters such as Andre Silva and Joao Cancelo, but they boast one of the best players of all time in Ronaldo and that is significant.
Another Dark horse for the 2018 World Cup is Belgium, whose 'Golden Generation' - including players like Kevind De Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku - has now reached a level of maturity that should see them mount a serious challenge.
The Red Devils reached the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup and were knocked out at the same stage at Euro 2016, but they have enough talent in their ranks to warrant a better display in Russia. See the list of other Dark horses:
The Dark Horses
-Portugal
- Belgium
- Croatia
-Uruguay
- England
Who Are The Giant Killers of 2018 World Cup
Every four years it seems that at least one team emerges from nowhere to qualify for the knock-out stages, inflicting upsets along the way. Senegal helped knock out the holders France in 2002, reaching the quarter-finals, and of the African teams involved they are deemed the most likely to make their mark in Russia at 150/1.
Seven-time Africa Cup of Nations winners Egypt (200/1) are the most successful African nation, but they have failed to make an impact on the world stage. However, in 2018 they will have the star quality of Mohamed Salah, whose ability can help spur them on.
Out of 20 editions thus far, the World Cup has been won by tournaent hosts on six occasions, but the 2018 hosts Russia are very much long-shots. They struggled at the Confederations Cup last year, going out at the group stage, and have not won any of their last five friendly games.
However, despite their dismal form, the weight of history dictates that bookmakers believe there is a slight chance (40/1) they will be inspired by the home support sufficiently to mount a challenge.
Iceland are competiting in the World Cup for the first time in history and their chances are not rated highly at 200/1, but going by their European cup showing, Iceland may be one team too many to handle in Russia. Believe me, not even Germany, Brazil or Spain can easily run over this team. In other words, they have the capability to stop and truncate the progress of all the favorites and the dark horses...Argentina and Croatia must take extra care not to become the early victims of this giant killers at the Group stage..
The Giant Killers
- Senegal
- Egypt
-Russia
- Iceland
- Serbia
Who Are the Underdogs of 2018 World Cup
Nobody expect Nigeria to go pass the group stage with largely a team that looks more like an under 21 side. But bookmakers has said the Super Eagles are the most unpredictable team in the world.. Of course, Syria and Panama will cherish the experience, the world cup is nothing more than a jamboree for these countries listed below.
The Underdogs
Nigeria
Australia
Japan
Syria
Panama
