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The World Cup is finally here. A few months later than normal but here nonetheless. 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 20. 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 F will see the second and third-placed nations from the 2018 World Cup (Croatia and Belgium) compete against Canada (making only their second appearance at the tournament) and Morocco, who is making their sixth appearance. While the two European nations will expect to progress from the group, Canada and Morocco won’t be pushovers and both will fancy their chances of causing an upset.
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Belgium Preview, Odds, Best Bet, and Predictions
Preview
Belgium had their best ever World Cup in 2018, finishing third after losing to eventual winners France in the semi-final, the only game they failed to win at the tournament. It was a similar story for the Belgians at last year’s European Championship with them winning all three group games, reaching the quarter-finals only to lose to Italy, who went on to win the tournament.
The last few years have been considered Belgium’s ‘golden generation’ with an abundance of talent in their squad. Most of the top players who featured in 2018 are back again this year and they still have ample top-level players. The World Cup occurring in-season might help some of the Belgian squad, with many of the stars on the wrong side of 30 years old so entering the tournament without a full club season behind them might be a benefit.
Prediction
Belgium has too much attacking talent to suffer an early exit but I don't see them going as far as they did in 2018. The quarter-finals are well within their grasp and of course, anything can happen in the knockout stages, but I just don't think they'll reach the final four this time around.
Favorite play: Total tournament goals conceded – Over 4.5 (+100) 7 units
Whether Belgium does manage a deep run or not, conceding five or more goals in the competition seems likely. In the recent Nations League, they shipped in eight goals in their six games and conceded a total of ten in their eight games during 2022. They conceded six goals when finishing third in 2018’s World Cup so even if they only let in two or three in the group stages, this pick has a good chance of coming in. Their strength lies in their forward players so I suspect we see at least one Belgium game with plenty of goals at both ends.
Today's World Cup Sportsbook Odds - Group F
- DraftKings Sportsbook World Cup Odds - Bet Now on DraftKings!
- Croatia to win the World Cup +5000
- FanDuel Sportsbook World Cup Odds - Bet Now on FanDuel!
- Croatia to win Group F +230
- Belgium to win the World Cup +1900
- BetMGM Sportsbook World Cup Odds - Bet Now on BetMGM!
- Morocco to win the World Cup +25000
- PointsBet Sportsbook World Cup Odds - Bet Now on PointsBet!
- Belgium to win Group F -150
- Morocco to win Group F +1000
- Canada to win Group F +1200
- Canada to win the World Cup +30000
- Caesars Sportsbook World Cup Odds - Bet Now on Caesars
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Canada Preview, Odds, Best Bet, and Predictions
Preview
Canada will be making just their second appearance at a World Cup and their first in 36 years. Back in 1986, they lost all three games without scoring so they’ll be looking to bag their first-ever World Cup goal in Qatar. If their qualification form is anything to go by, they shouldn’t have to wait long. They scored 27 goals in four games during the first round, then scored four against Haiti (over two legs) before topping the third-round group, scoring 23 goals in 14 games.
They conceded just eight goals across the 20 qualifying games too, with both ends of the pitch working well. They’ll need that more than ever with Belgium and Croatia both ranked in the top 12 of FIFA’s World Rankings. In reality, they won’t be expecting to get through the group but they could certainly open some eyes and leave a lasting imprint on the World Cup and soccer in Canada for years to come.
Prediction
Canada will surprise a few people in Qatar. I don't think they will be able to get out of the group and they may not even win a game, but Morocco will need to be at their best to avoid a defeat in their match. I fancy they'll cause a fright or two along the way and will certainly raise the profile of soccer in Canada.
Favorite play: Top Canada goalscorer – Jonathan David (+200) 5 units
David (nine) was outscored by Cyle Larin (12) in the qualifying campaign, but the youngster has been in excellent form for Lille OSC (in France’s Ligue 1) this season, scoring nine goals in 15 games. In Alphonso Davies, they also boast an exciting forward who can create plenty of chances and he topped the qualifying campaign with eight assists. This World Cup is the perfect opportunity for David to announce himself on the World stage.
Croatia Preview, Odds, Best Bet, and Predictions
Preview
The beaten finalists from four years ago will be keen to go one better this time around. This is just their sixth World Cup (since gaining independence in 1991) and after reaching the semi-finals in their debut tournament in 1998, they’re certainly not a nation to be taken lightly. They emphasized that by topping their UEFA Nations League this year, finishing above France and Denmark (both in the top 10 of FIFA's World Rankings) to reach next year's semi-finals.
Croatia reached the second round at last year’s European Championship and reaching the second round will be a minimum expectation in Qatar. Captain Luka Modric will be retiring from international soccer after the World Cup. Croatia is certainly one of (if not) the best outsider to win it all, and if you believe in fairy tales, Modric lifting the trophy in his final game for Croatia is certainly not beyond the realms of possibility.
Prediction
My dark horse to win the World Cup. If I had to pick just one winner, it wouldn't be Croatia but they certainly have the capability of going the distance if things fall in the right place for them. Ultimately, I reckon a good group stage will see them get through to the quarter-finals and no further.
Favorite play: Total tournament goals – Over 5.5 (+124) 6 units
I expect Croatia to get through the group and actually like their chances of winning Group F at +200, but I’m going to go with them scoring at least six goals throughout the World Cup. In reaching the final four years ago, they scored a total of 14 goals and in the 2014 tournament, they scored six goals despite exiting at the group stage. At last year’s European Championship, Croatia scored seven goals in four games so assuming they don’t suffer a shock early exit, topping six goals is well within their grasp.
Morocco Preview, Odds, Best Bet, and Predictions
Preview
Morocco will be playing at back-to-back World Cups for the first time since 1998. Four years ago, they had the misfortunate of being drawn into a group with Spain and Portugal (as well as Iran). And they didn’t get embarrassed, with a 1-0 defeat against Portugal and a draw against Spain, a game they led after 90 minutes. Their defeat against Iran was a disappointment and they’ll have their work cut out if they are to achieve only their third-ever win at a World Cup.
They reached the quarter-finals at last year’s African Cup of Nations, scoring eight goals in five games. They cruised through their World Cup qualifying campaign, winning all six group games (scoring 20 goals), then beating DR Congo 5-2 over their two-legged tie. They also had a notable 2-0 friendly win against Chile in September and drew with Paraguay (0-0) so come into the tournament in good form.
Prediction
Their World Cup record is pretty abysmal and although they put on a solid showing against Spain and Portugal four years ago, they still fell short of getting through to the second round. A similar story here beckons.
Favorite play: Total tournament goals – Under 3.5 (-120) 7 units
This will be a significant step up in the quality of opposition compared to their qualifying campaign. Canada has been impressive defensively themselves and the European duo are both going to be looking at going deep in the tournament. I can make a case for Morocco scoring two or three goals but that’s about it. They’ve failed to score four goals in four of their five World Cup appearances and I expect more of the same in Qatar.
Good luck with those World Cup bets and remember to bet responsibly!
More 2022 World Cup Analysis
