With the opening match in Qatar almost here, we’ve taken a fresh look at the World Cup 2022 popular bets to see which teams are being backed for glory – and Argentina have closed the gap on Brazil.
Bwin can report that Brazil are still the best-backed side to lift the trophy, but the share of wagers placed supporting the Selecao has dropped from 35 per cent a month ago to 30.
Brazil claimed the last of their five victories in Japan and South Korea 20 years ago but are 7/2 World Cup favourites to end that barren run.
Mercurial PSG ace Neymar and flying winger Vinicius Junior, of Real Madrid, are the pin-up boys of Tite’s side.
However, the current Samba Stars have also developed a more resilient defence and stronger team spirit than recent squads!
Argentina have strengthened in the popularity stakes with punters trying to decide who will win Qatar 2022 and they are now attracting 16 per cent of the bets, up from 14.
The 1978 and 1986 champions are on a 33-match unbeaten run stretching back to July 2019, which includes success at last year’s Copa America competition, and have been backed into 5/1.
Talismanic playmaker Lionel Messi will hope to join Diego Maradona in achieving immortality among La Albiceleste fans by taking this well-drilled outfit all the way.
It is no surprise to see holders France at number three in the list of World Cup 2022 popular bets and they have improved slightly from 10 to 11 per cent.
Injury problems for Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante, plus off-field issues involving Kylian Mbappe are a concern, but Les Bleus were outstanding at Russia 2018.
Karim Benzema showed his well-being in Real Madrid’s recent El Clasico victory over Barcelona and Didier Deschamps knows how to get the best out of this talented team, priced at 7/1.
Support for England has fallen from nine per cent to seven as they bid to put a poor run of results in the Nations League behind them at Qatar 2022 and they are out to 8/1.
The Three Lions reached the semi-finals four years ago and were runners-up to Italy at last year’s European Championship, so Gareth Southgate is getting closer and closer to securing major silverware.
Germany are 10/1 and complete our top five as they seek to move alongside Brazil by claiming a fifth triumph and they have stayed solid at six per cent.
Hansi Flick has replaced 2014-winning manager Joachim Low at the helm and Die Mannschaft were back to their clinical best in qualifying.
Here is how our chart looked a month ago:
Of course, there are plenty of other potential contenders to lift the trophy and bets shared among the other 27 nations heading to the Middle East have increased from 26 per cent to 30.
Spain, Netherlands, Belgium and Portugal are featured in that list, along with 2018 beaten finalists Croatia and two-time former champions Uruguay.
Despite Sadio Mane’s injury problems, Senegal are rated most likely to give Africa a first success and emerging North American nations USA and Canada can’t be ruled out.
We’ll be providing World Cup 2022 predictions for every match at Qatar 2022 during the tournament.
Join bwin today and receive up to £20 money back as a FreeBet if your first wager (3+ selections at odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater) is a loser! Terms and conditions apply.
