12 Jun 2019
Only eight nations have ever been fortunate enough to lift the World Cup and it looks like a 9th could be added to that list in Russia. Many nations who have failed to win before have their strongest squads yet for the challenge, a cacophony of golden generations are set to collide! The world’s best goal scorers will also be eyeing the golden boot and adding their own name to the list of legends to have received it.
The World Cup in Russia 2018 will see a few of the traditional European powerhouses missing from the fray. Both Italy and the Netherlands failed to qualify and in turn have allowed for the greater chance of a lesser known footballing nation to have a chance at glory.
Belgium and Croatia will both have their sights set on going all the way. However, nations with a history of performing on the highest stage, will hope to replicate prior triumphs. Brazil are the favourites once again this year, with an exciting frontline, led by Neymar Jr., coupled with a very experienced defensive unit.
The World’s best goal scorers will also be hoping to etch their names in history alongside greats like Eusebio and Ronaldo, by winning the golden boot. Winners of this illustrious award have all seen their countries enter deep into the latter stages of the competition, so be wary of putting money down on players like Salah from smaller nations, with less of a chance to exit the group stages.
Being the final nation standing from your region is also a point of pride for both players and fan bases. It allows for a good supply of bragging rights, as it’s a chance to show the rest of the world your nations brand of football.
With smaller nations sniffing a chance at glory, will the previous World Cup winners be able to stop another country joining their exclusive club?
Belgium’s and Croatia’s Golden generations last chance?
For the past four years, all that has been discussed is the enormous talent that the Belgium team have at their disposal. Led by Roberto Martinez, their squad has such a plethora of quality that global stars like Radja Nainggolan failed to make the final cut. Led by Premier League stars De Bruyne and Lukaku, Belgium will view nothing less than a place in at least the semi finals as a success. Betting on Belgium to lift the trophy at 11/1 represents tremendous value for a squad packed with stars.
Another European nation that will view Russia as perhaps its best and last chance to win a major trophy with an unprecedented generation of stars is Croatia. Led by a core of: Modric, Rakitic, Perisic and Mandzukic, this Croatia team has been a fixture past the group stages of major tournaments for the better part of a decade, but Russia could be their last realistic chance at glory for the foreseeable future. Betting on Croatia to win the tournament at 33/1 is well worth a flutter. Furthermore, if you fancy doubling down, Luka Modric to win the Golden Ball at 66/1 seems like a very sensible bet if his nation is to win the trophy.
If you’re searching for an outside shot, Senegal represent an African team stocked full of proven Premier League quality. Sadio Mané will hope to score enough goals to drag his country into the latter stages, so betting on Senegal to be the best African country at 2/1 is a fairly safe proposition.
Messi to finally win a senior International tournament
Lionel Messi has won everything there is to win at club level, however his international career has been characterized by failure on the biggest stage. After disappointment in the final at Brazil 2014, he will hope Russia brings the trophy his long career has been missing. If Argentina are to win the tournament expect Messi to score plenty of goals. Lionel winning the golden boot at 9/1 is a very reasonable price for such a proven goal scorer.
For a bit more value for money, Phillipe Coutinho has enjoyed his best goal scoring season across two leagues this past year. Coutinho scored 22 goals in 42 games for Liverpool and Barcelona so getting odds of 50/1 for him to win the Golden Boot is almost too good to pass up. He will of course enjoy plenty of chances in the exciting style that Brazil play.
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