2018
World Cup
Odds to win
Group C
France is the favorite to win Group C, but they look to get over their last few international Tournaments, where they have disappointed. Here are the betting odds to win Group C.
France -350
Denmark +450
Peru +1000
Australia +2000
France
France is a solid team up and down the pitch and they have a great midfield. There is also no lack of world-class talent with Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante, and Adrien Rabiot. they have a young attacker in 18-year old Kylian Mbappé and will he be the main guy up front? Hugo Loris is legit in the net and Raphael Varane anchors the solid defense. Pogba is one of the best players in the Tournament and he is great at creating space and putting pressure on opposing defenses. The French have not shied away from playing bigger teams in friendlies with wins over Russia and Italy and they also played to a 2-2 draw against Germany. France has the talent to go far in the Tournament, but they have also imploded at times, which cannot happen this summer.
Denmark
The Danes have a solid defense, which they showed in European World Cup qualifying only allowing eight goals in 10 matches. Christian Eriksen from Tottenham leads the attack up front and the midfield is a good one. Their attack is not a great one and they get many of their goals from the midfield and that area has to play well in this Tournament, especially when they face France. Their offense struggled in a couple of recent friendly matches where they did not score, but they also did not concede a goal in those matches playing to a couple of 0-0 draws against Chile and Sweden. Denmark plays a tactical style of play, which they will have to stick to.
Peru
Peru had their long World Cup drought come to an end beating New Zealand in a playoff to advance to the main draw for the first time since 1982. Paolo Guerrero or Jefferson Farfan lead the attack and they have some good young talent such as Renato Tapia and Andy Polo. Christian Cueva is the team’s best playmaker and his skills in the midfield and setting up the front men will be key in group play. Peru has five wins in five recent friendlies and while not facing a FIFA top ranked team they did beat three teams that will be playing in the World Cup in Croatia. Iceland, and Saudi Aribia.
Australia
The Aussies are in the World Cup final draw for the 4th straight time, but can they get out of the group stage for only the 2nd time? Tim Cahill is still the wily veteran for the squad and in the World Cup qualification he netted 11 goals. Aaron Mooy is one of their up and coming players, but can a so-so midfield get it done in Russia even playing in one of the weaker groups? The defense is a pretty good one and it will have to be this summer with the attack not the strength of the squad and they have a tough opening match in the World Cup facing France, who will be eager to gain the three points from the Socceroos, who lack much world-class talent.