World Cup Dark Horses
With the World Cup now only a week away, punters all around the world will be making their final betting preparations. Whilst a plethora of markets are available ahead of events in Qatar, one of the most popular bets remains the classic “Who will the tournament?”
No real surprises with the names towards the head of the market here, with Brazil, Argentina., France, Spain, and England being the five sides available at a single figure price, and European big guns Germany, Netherlands, Portugal, and Belgium coming next in the 10/1-16/1 range. For many fans, the claims of the above star-studded sides will need little advertising. However, another 23 sides are rocking up in Qatar, and here we pick out three of the more interesting betting options at significantly bigger prices.
Denmark
- To Win - 33/1
- To Reach Semi Final - 5/1
- To Reach Quarter Final - 2/1
There would be few more compelling stories than a win for Denmark and Christian Eriksen following the events of Euro 2020, and the Danes are no forlorn hope. Near perfect in qualifying with nine wins from 10 – the only loss came in their final match in Scotland when already qualified as group winners. A group containing France, Australia, and Tunisia certainly looks manageable – particularly as Denmark have beaten France twice since June. Should the Danes pip France to the top spot, a likely route to the semis of Poland and England would await.
Uruguay
- To Win - 50/1
- To Reach Semi Final - 8/1
- To Reach Quarter Final - 5/2
Qatar 2020 represents the end of a World Cup era for Uruguay, with long-time defensive lynchpin Diego Godin and attacking stars Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani all likely to have hung up their boots by the time 2026 rolls around. Sad as the fans will be to see them go, Uruguay do at least look well-placed to send the trio out on a high. In Suarez, Cavani, and Darwin Nunez, they boast a stellar trio of strikers, whilst the tough midfield is set to be martialled by the exceptional Rodrigo Bentancur. Throw in the Barcelona/Atlético Madrid duo of Ronald Araujo and Jose Maria Gimenez at the heart of the defence, and the spine of the side looks a match for most. Purely on the sum of their parts, Uruguay look overpriced.
Serbia
- To Win - 100/1
- To Reach Semi Final - 14/1
- To Reach Quarter Final - 11/2
Win or lose, Serbia seems likely to be one of the most entertaining sides to watch at the tournament, with the approach of Dragan Stojkovic’s side bordering on gung-ho at times. Quite how well that works out against Brazil in their opener remains to be seen. However, they do at least have a clear way of playing, plenty of attacking threat, and are fancied to have too much for both a Switzerland side in transition and an underwhelming Cameroon squad. Should Serbia grab second spot, they will likely face Portugal – whom they beat last time out – in the Last 16, before a probable clash with Germany in the Quarters. A deep run may not be quite as unlikely as the odds imply.
Top Scorer Dark Horses
Next to the outright market, one of the most popular World Cup betting options is that of who will finish as the tournament’s top scorer. England’s own Harry Kane leads the way here and would look to boast strong claims in a market where six goals may well be enough. Familiar names are stacked up behind him, but with many firms paying out each way on the first four, this looks ripe for an each-way punt at a bigger price. Here we pick out three less-heralded contenders who may make their presence felt in Qatar.
Memphis Depay – 28/1
The Netherlands’ main goal threat has rebuilt his career since that disappointing spell at Manchester United, going on to average only a shade under a goal every other game for both Lyon and Barcelona. With a total of 42 in 81 for the national side, he hit an impressive 12 in the Netherlands World Cup qualifying campaign, making him the joint top scorer (with Harry Kane) across the whole European qualifying section. Starting in a Group containing Qatar, Ecuador, and Senegal, he has every chance of being in contention when the knockout stages begin.
Lautaro Martinez – 33/1
All eyes will of course be on Messi when Argentina spring into action, and rightly so. However, at a much bigger price, Inter Milan star Martinez looks well worth an each-way punt. A certain starter as the main focal point of the attack, he matched Messi’s tally of seven goals during qualifying, bringing his national side tally to a rock solid 21 goals in 40 appearances. In form this season with seven goals for an underperforming Inter side, those 33/1 odds may be looking big by the end of the group phase.
Luis Suarez – 50/1
Despite the undoubted class of Edinson Cavani and youthful promise of Darwin Nunez, it is Luis Suarez who remains the main man for Uruguay, and that shouldn’t be expected to change in Qatar. If Uruguay are to enjoy a good tournament, it will most likely be on the back of the goals of their talisman. Heading back to Uruguay in order to secure game time, Suarez will be going all out to end his World Cup career on a high and will be hoping to fill his boots against both Ghana and South Korea, who look two of the sides most likely to struggle.
All prices quoted are from William Hill
Top 20 Betting Offers
18+ New UK+IRE Customers only. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 4x £5 free bets. Stake not returned. Restrictions + Free bet T&Cs apply. |
|||||
New customers only. Register with BETFRED50. Deposit £10+ via Debit Card and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get £50 in free bets. 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. T&Cs apply. |
|||||
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required. |
|||||
New bettors; Code SPORT; Wager deposit & bonus 8x; Max qualifying bet stake=initial bonus; Valid 60 days; Min odds, payment method exclusions apply; New customers only. T&C apply; 18+ |
|||||
New Customers place a £25 fixed odds bet at minimum odds of 1/2. Get £50 in Free Bets as: 5 x £5 free fixed odds bets + 4 x £5 free Total Goals spread bets + 50 free spins on Starburst 18+. Full promotions terms apply. |
|||||
18+. New Customers Only. Max 1 x £10 Free Bet. Qualifying bets at Odds of 1/1 or greater. Paid as Bonus Token Min 4/5 Odds Req. Skrill, Neteller, Paypal not eligible. T&Cs Apply |
|||||
18+ New customers only. Opt in & bet £10+ via mobile on any football market at 2.00+ odds within 7 days. No Cash out. Get 6x £5 Free Bets on selected markets. Free bets expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly |
|||||
18+ New Customers Only. Opt in and bet £10 (odds 2.00+) within 3 days of sign up. No cash-out. Get a £10 Free Bet (odds 2.0+), which expires in 5 days. Scroll down for T&Cs. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly |
|||||
New UK Customers. Register using code BETGETSPORTS. Must bet £10 in total on 4+ legs, min odds 4.0. £20 awarded as 4 X £5 free bets once settled, AND 50 Free Spins to use on Big Bass Splash (valued at 10p per spin). Free bet T&Cs Apply. 18+. BeGambleAware.org |
|||||
£10 min deposit. First bet mins odds 1.5 placed within 14 days of sign-up. 2 x £10 in Free Bets: valid for 7 days, free bet stakes not returned. Bet Responsibly. BeGambleAware.org. 18+ T&Cs apply.
|
|||||
New UK customers only. Qualifying bet should be a Single or Accumulator bet, min stake £10, and min odds 1.9. Get £50 in Free bets which must be placed with a min odds of 2.0 include: 1 x £10 Free bet for horse racing, 1 x £10 Free bet on football, 2 x 10 Free bet In-play, 1 x £10 Free bet Acca (min 3 selections). To unlock the offer, complete the first deposit via the banking app. Max payout – £500. 7 day expiry. 18+. Begambleaware.org |
|||||
New Customers only. Deposit and bet with min odds of 2.0. You will receive a 150% deposit bonus if your qualifying bet on the first day is four times your deposit. Full Terms apply. 18+ begambleaware. |
|||||
18+. BeGambleAware.org. New GB customers only. Min £10 debit card deposit. Place a £10+ bet at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days. Opt in for £20 in free bets and £20 Casino Bonus. Valid for 7 days. Geographical restrictions and T&C’s apply. #AD |
|||||
18+. Play Safe. New customers only, using promo code T60. Valid from 13/04/2022. Online play. Get £60 Bonus split between Vegas & Sports in the following manner – (i) Deposit £10 to unlock £20 Vegas Free Bet on Selected Games (72hr expiry, wagering reqs apply); then (ii) bet £10+ (odds 1/2+) with cash (excl. £10 deposit) or Vegas winnings (after wager reqs met). Once settled, receive £40 Sports Free Bets excluding Virtual Markets (4x £10, 7 days expiry). Full T&Cs apply. #ad |
|||||
18+. New customers only. Min deposit £20. Max One £10 Free Bet. Min turnover £20. Qualifying Bets must be placed at odds of 1/1 (2.00) or greater. Paid as bonus token with Min 4/5 (1.80) odds req. T&Cs apply. |
|||||
New Customers. Min Deposit: £5. Maximum Free Bet: £30. First qualifying bet with 3+ selections. Overall odds: 3.00+ (2/1). If first bet loses free bets will be credited after bet settled. 100 Free Spins on Gold Blitz credited on settlement of qualifying Acca bet. 18+. BeGambleAware.org. Bet The Responsible Way. Full terms apply |
|||||
New customers Deposit and place your first bet on Sports at odds of Evens (2.0) or greater. Once bet is settled you will receive 1x £10 Free Bet Token to be used on Football, 1x £10 Free Bet Token to be used on Horse Racing, and 20 Extra spins (value per spin 50p), to be used on Book of Dead. Total bonus value £30. Full terms apply. 18+ begambleaware. |
|||||
New customers only. Min deposit £10. Max one £15 Free Bet. Min Turnover £15 to qualify. Qualifying bets must be at odds of Evens (2.0) or bigger. Full Terms apply. 18+ begambleaware. |
|||||
New Players Only. Free bet - one-time stake of £50, min odds 1.5, stake not returned. 1X wager the winnings. Wager from real balance first. Wager calculated on bonus bets only. Max conversion: £200. Valid for 7 Days from receipt. Limited to 1 sport & 5 casino brand/s within the network. Withdrawal requests void all active/pending bonuses. Excluded Skrill and Neteller deposits. Full Terms apply. |
|||||
Deposit and bet on any sportsbook markets of your choice at odds of evens (2.00) or greater. Get 50% back of your first days losses as a Free Bet up to £50 plus 50 Free Spins. Min. 3 bets required. If your account is up, you’ll receive a £5 Free Bet regardless plus 10 Free Spins. Use coupon code "5050" at registration. T&Cs apply | 18+ New UK Customers Only | GambleAware.org | Gamble Responsibly |