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The World Cup is finally here. A few months later than normal but here nonetheless. And the team at RotoBaller has you covered for all your World Cup needs. We'll be bringing you DFS articles, game previews, and betting picks throughout the competition.
To get things going, we're previewing a different group every day until the big kick-off on Sunday, November 20th. We'll be predicting how each group will pan out, what to expect from each nation, and offering our favorite picks for every country involved. We'll be using units for each betting pick to track them, with 10 units being the maximum play for any pick and a total of 25 units played for each group.
Group A sees hosts (and Asian Cup holders) Qatar face off against two-time European Champions, the Netherlands, the reigning African Champions Senegal, and South American team Ecuador. It's one of only two groups comprised of nations from those four continents and is sure to be an open one with twists and turns expected.
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Ecuador Preview, Odds, Best Bet, and Predictions
Preview
Realistically, Ecuador is competing with Senegal and Qatar for second place. Their spot at the World Cup was still in doubt as of last weekend with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) investigating allegations of fielding an ineligible player during their qualifying campaign. CAS cleared them of any wrongdoing earlier this week and they will kick things off against the hosts Qatar on Sunday.
This is their fourth World Cup and they'll be aiming to at least match their previous best of reaching the second round (2006). They've registered at least one win in all previous World Cups they've competed in but playing in the opener against the host nation is a tough task regardless of the opponent. They secured their place in Qatar by finishing fourth in the South American qualification group, edging out Peru by just two points.
Prediction
Ecuador certainly has a chance to progress out of the group stage but facing the hosts in the opening game isn't an easy task and anything less than a win will leave them on the back foot. Qualifying from South America is no easy task but I suspect Ecuador comes up short and head home early.
Favorite play: Total points - under 3.5 (+101) 3 units
Even if they do manage to beat Qatar, Senegal and Netherlands should have too much for Ecuador and an early exit looks on the cards for the South Americans. Senegal could be without their talisman (more on that later) but Ecuador is ranked 44th in the World, according to FIFA, and only three teams at the tournament have a lower ranking.
Today's World Cup Sportsbook Odds - Group A
- DraftKings Sportsbook World Cup Odds - Bet Now on DraftKings!
- Senegal to win the World Cup +10000
- FanDuel Sportsbook World Cup Odds - Bet Now on FanDuel!
- Ecuador to win the World Cup +21000
- Qatar to win the World Cup +55000
- Netherlands to win Group A -195
- Qatar to win Group A +1900
- BetMGM Sportsbook World Cup Odds - Bet Now on BetMGM!
- Netherlands to win the World Cup +1400
- Senegal to win Group A +450
- PointsBet Sportsbook World Cup Odds - Bet Now on PointsBet!
- Ecuador to win Group A +550
- Caesars Sportsbook World Cup Odds - Bet Now on Caesars
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Netherlands Preview, Odds, Best Bet, and Predictions
Preview
It seems inconceivable that the Dutch have never won a World Cup given the talent they have produced over the years. For so long, they have been the 'nearly men' and they come into this tournament with fewer expectations than perhaps previous times. They are riding a 17-game unbeaten run into the World Cup and they've scored in 25 consecutive games. They lack the star names of previous tournaments but that might work in their favor and they certainly haven't struggled on the field in recent times.
If they do win the group as expected, they will face the second-placed team in Group B. While I don't like looking too far ahead, that likely means a second-round tie against Wales or USA. They should be able to reach the quarter-final and anything can happen at that point so sprinkling a few coins on them going the whole way isn't the worst play.
Prediction
The Dutch have a good draw and if things pan out as expected, they should have no problem at least reaching the last eight. Whether they have enough quality to go the distance remains to be seen but I expect they will progress to the quarter-finals at least.
Favorite plays: To reach the quarter-finals (-150) 10 units & Memphis Depay Netherlands top scorer (+125) 3 units
Of the eight teams in Groups A and B, the Dutch are arguably the best with England a close second. Things would have to go disastrously bad for the Netherlands if they don't make the quarter-finals, so even at the short odds, this appears to be a standout play.
Depay led the Dutch in goals scored during their qualifying campaign, scoring 12 goals in 10 games and then scoring three goals in four games during their UEFA Nations League group games. He also scored twice in the Netherlands' four games during the European Championship last Summer.
Qatar Preview, Odds, Best Bet, and Predictions
Preview
The host nation will be making its World Cup debut although they do come into the tournament as Asian Champions following their 2019 Asian Cup success. They had never reached the semi-finals of the Asian Cup before 2019 so this could be a golden age for soccer in Qatar if they are able to put on a good show on the pitch. And despite being favorites to finish bottom of the group, they might fancy their chances of upsetting the odds.
The opening game of the World Cup has thrown up some memorable surprises, from Cameroon beating Argentina in 1990 to Senegal overcoming France by the same scoreline in 2002. Since the change in 2006 which saw the host nation opening the World Cup (whereas the defending champions would do so before), no host nation has ever lost the opener. Granted, three of the four were heavy favorites, but at least Qatar has history on its side.
Prediction
It's always good for neutral fans if the host nation can progress far in the tournament. But I just can't see that happening this year and a group-stage exit is on the cards for Qatar.
Favorite play: Total goals conceded - over 5.5 (-120) 5 units
It's difficult to gauge quite how good (or bad) Qatar is given they haven't played the same level of competition that most other countries have. When they have faced better opposition in friendly games, they've shipped in the goals. Senegal and the Netherlands forwards will likely be too much for Qatar to contend with.
Senegal Preview, Odds, Best Bet, and Predictions
Preview
Senegal is currently the highest-ranked African nation (according to FIFA's rankings), coming in 18th in the World. This is only their third World Cup and they'll be looking to do better than their group-stage exit four years ago. But that exit was one of the most unfortunate in World Cup history as Japan advanced ahead of Senegal due to receiving fewer yellow cards after both teams were tied on points, goal difference, and goals scored.
The big concern for the reigning African Cup of Nations Champions is that forward Sadio Mane is a huge injury doubt for them. He's been named in the squad but was forced off with an injury in Bayern Munich's last game. He's almost certainly going to miss Senegal's opening game against the Netherlands and if he isn't able to take part in the group stage, it'll leave a huge pair of metaphorical boots for someone to fill.
Prediction
The health of Mane could be crucial to Senegal's chances of having a good tournament. I expect them to progress out of the group with or without him but that's as far as I can see them going.
Favorite play: To qualify from group - Yes (+108) 4 units
Regardless of whether Mane can play or not, I'd expect them to lose against the Netherlands but beat Ecuador and Qatar so they should be able to qualify out of the group. They have one of the best defensive records in Africa and conceded just two goals in their seven games during the African Cup of Nations. They should be able to navigate the group stage, although that will likely be as far as they go.
Good luck with those World Cup bets and remember to bet responsibly!
More 2022 World Cup Analysis
