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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 G will see the current FIFA ranked number one country in the world and five-time champions Brazil look to get their bid for number six off to a positive start against Cameroon, Switzerland, and Serbia. Brazil will be expected to win the group but there’s little between the other three nations and qualification to the knockout stages is as wide open in Group G as in any other group.
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Brazil Preview, Odds, Best Bet, and Predictions
Preview
The most successful nation in World Cup history is on a barren run and hasn't made a final since 2002. After reaching three successive finals between 1994 and 2002, they have just one fourth-placed finish (in 2014 as hosts) and three quarter-final exits since then. But they come into the tournament as FIFA's number one ranked team and as the favorites with oddsmakers, and with good reason. If they are to claim their sixth World Cup trophy, they'll certainly have earned it.
While I don't like to look too far ahead, they could have to face Portugal, Spain, and Argentina just to reach the final and their three group opponents are far from pushovers. There's no doubting their talents and the fact they waltzed through qualifying without losing a game underlines their form. Argentina is the only side to have beaten Brazil in the last three years so it's fair to say, they've been in excellent form for some time.
Prediction
I hate to say it, but I'm actually out on Brazil lifting the trophy. I suspect they get through the group rather comprehensively and have at least one game where they show off their flair and score a bunch of goals, but I also suspect they slip up in the knockout stages against another top side.
Favorite play: Will Brazil reach the semi-final? - No (-113) 4 units
The one thing Brazil has struggled with at recent World Cups is beating the top European nations. In the previous four tournaments, they've faced a European side ranked in FIFA's top ten on six occasions and have one draw and five defeats from those games. Given the possible path they face in the knockout stages, I don't fancy them progressing further than the quarter-finals.
Today's World Cup Sportsbook Odds - Group G
- DraftKings Sportsbook World Cup Odds - Bet Now on DraftKings!
- Switzerland to win Group G +550
- FanDuel Sportsbook World Cup Odds - Bet Now on FanDuel!
- Brazil to win the World Cup +420
- Brazil to win Group G -220
- Cameroon to win Group G +1700
- BetMGM Sportsbook World Cup Odds - Bet Now on BetMGM!
- Serbia to win the World Cup +8000
- Serbia to win Group G +650
- PointsBet Sportsbook World Cup Odds - Bet Now on PointsBet!
- Switzerland to win the World Cup +10000
- Cameroon to win the World Cup +30000
- Caesars Sportsbook World Cup Odds - Bet Now on Caesars
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Cameroon Preview, Odds, Best Bet, and Predictions
Preview
Cameroon is making an eagerly awaited return to World Cup soccer after failing to qualify for 2018. It's been a pretty miserable run for the African nation at the tournaments with group stage exits in 2010 and 2014, both times saw them lose all three group games. Other than their memorable run in 1990, which saw them become the first African nation to reach the quarter-finals stage, they've never progressed out of the first round.
They don't arrive in Qatar in very good form. Since making the semi-finals of the African Cup of Nations last year, they scraped through the World Cup qualifier against Algeria, only securing their place with an injury-time winner in extra time. They've played three friendlies in the last two months, drawing with Jamaica and losing to Uzbekistan and South Korea. I don't put much stock into friendlies but that's hardly the sort of form you want going into a World Cup.
Prediction
Cameroon will end their World Cup losing streak but that's as much as they can hope for. They've not been in good form and their squad lacks some of the top-level club players they've boasted of in previous years. A group stage exit looks on the cards again.
Favorite play: Cameroon to finish bottom of Group G (-150) 8 units
Cameroon looks a class below Serbia and Switzerland while Brazil should be far too good for the African side. I don't think they get embarrassed and take heavy defeats but other than taking a point against one of the European sides, I'm struggling to see how they avoid finishing bottom in Group G.
Serbia Preview, Odds, Best Bet, and Predictions
Preview
As an independent nation (since 2006), Serbia has qualified for two World Cups, exiting in the group stage on both occasions. Both times, they went into the final group game on three points knowing a win would see them qualify for the second round. And both times, they lost the game and exited at the first hurdle. They reached Qatar having topped their qualifying group, knocking Portugal into second place and they topped their UEFA Nations League, gaining promotion to the top tier of the competition.
In recent years, Serbia had been renowned for playing a dogged style of football. Lacking much flair or goal-scoring threat. After failing to qualify for the European Championships last year, they've overcome that stereotype. Serbia scored 18 goals in their eight World Cup qualifying games and then 13 goals in their six UEFA Nations League games. I'm not putting them on the same level as Brazil, but they may actually be the second most exciting team in Group G from an attacking sense.
Prediction
As much as I admire Serbia's attacking threat, Switzerland looks like a more well-rounded team. Qualification for the second round could come down to their head-to-head meeting, which will be the last game in Group G. I prefer Switzerland's chances of getting the required result to reach the knockout stages.
Favorite play: Serbia total goals - Over 3.5 (-110) 5 units
While I predict an early exit for Serbia, their goal-scoring prowess should propel them to score at least four goals. Question marks over the health of star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic do have me a little worried but they should still have enough to hit the over.
Switzerland Preview, Odds, Best Bet, and Predictions
Preview
Four years ago, Switzerland was drawn into a World Cup group with Serbia and Brazil. Then, the Swiss drew with Brazil, beat Serbia, and drew with Costa Rica to reach the second round (where they lost to Sweden). So while they may have a case of deju vu, they will be confident of repeating the feat of getting through to the knockout stages. Their form since the 2018 World Cup has been impressive too.
At the European Championships last year, Switzerland reached the second round, beating World Champions France in round two, before losing to Spain on penalties in the quarter-final. They are also a big reason why European Champions Italy is not at the World Cup, with the Swiss winning their qualifying group and sending Italy into a playoff tie they ultimately lost. They did only finish third of four teams in their UEFA Nations League group but only finished two points behind group winners Spain and one point behind Portugal.
Prediction
It feels like every tournament Switzerland competes in, a quarter-final berth is a possibility and would be an achievement. This year is no different, and I fancy their chances of beating whoever they'd face in the second round, assuming they successfully navigate the group first.
Favorite play: Switzerland to qualify from Group G (+100) 8 units
Switzerland is capable of beating anyone on their day, as they've proven in recent tournaments. The one thing they always seem to lack is a top-level striker but they still find a way to win games and in captain Granit Xhaka, they have a midfielder currently in the best form of his career. Providing he can maintain his club form and keep his composure, Switzerland should have enough to get through the group stage.
Good luck with those World Cup bets and remember to bet responsibly!
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