Brazil predictably favored, US longshot after World Cup draw
The LVH has listed host Brazil as the favorite to win next summer’s World Cup, while the odds on the United States significantly increased after Friday’s draw for the group stage.
Brazil, which was drawn into a favorable group, remained at 5-2 despite the prospect of facing defending champion Spain, 2010 runner-up the Netherlands or Chile in the round of 16. The Brazilians kick off the tournament against Croatia on June 12.
“There’s different odds with them playing in Brazil,” LVH oddsmaker Jeff Sherman said of the five-time champions. “Being at home, we anticipate seeing decent support, too.”
Argentina, which landed in one of the easiest groups, dropped from 5-1 to 4-1 and is the second choice, followed by Germany (5-1) and Spain (6-1). Belgium, which was listed at 250-1 in 2010, now is the fifth choice at 12-1.
“There were some tweaks based on what came out of (the draw),” Sherman said.
The U.S. went from 50-1 to 125-1 after it was placed into a difficult group with Germany, Ghana and Portugal. Mexico is 80-1 despite struggling to qualify for the tournament and being drawn into the same group as Brazil.
“Mexico is in a more favorable position than the U.S. the way the groups set up,” Sherman said.
European powers Italy (20-1), the Netherlands (20-1) and England (30-1) saw their odds increase after receiving difficult draws, while 1998 champion France dropped to 20-1 and is a huge favorite to win its group.
