The 20th FIFA World Cup will take place in Brazil from 12th June to 13th July 2014. All 53 European member associations are taking part in the qualifying group stages. The qualifiers will consist of nine groups, beginning in September 2012 with 13 teams qualifying for the finals. These will be the nine winners of each qualifying groups as well as the winners of four play-offs between the group runners-up. Here’s our preview and predictions of each qualifying group for World Cup.
Group A: Croatia, Serbia, Belgium, Scotland, Macedonia and Wales
Bet365.com cannot split Croatia and Serbia as group favourites at 15-8 with Belgium at 2-1. The two British nations are given little chance of topping the group with prices of 16-1 and 33-1 respectively. Macedonia are the group underdogs at 66-1.
Forecast: With three countries from the former Yugoslavia and two evenly-matched British teams, this looks like being a really tight group. Belgium have a hugely talented pool of players but they have yet to be moulded into a strong international side. This could be their time to come good.
1. Belgium 2. Croatia
Group B: Italy, Denmark, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Armenia, Malta
Bet365 make Italy 2-5 favourites to cruise through their qualifying group with Czech Republic at 9-2 and Denmark at 5-1. Bulgaria are 12-1 and Armenia and Malta are massive outsiders.
Forecast: Four-time world champions Italy will be difficult to oppose after their excellent run in Euro 2012, eventually losing heavily to Spain in the final. It is impossible to oppose them but Denmark could oust the Czech Republic from second spot.
1. Italy 2. Denmark
Group C: Germany, Sweden, Republic of Ireland, Faroe Islands, Austria and Kazakhastan.
Bet365 see no danger for the Germans here and offer a paltry 2-9 about them topping Group C. Sweden are 5-1 second favourites with Republic of Ireland at 7-1. Austria are 25-1 with any price about the remaining teams.
Forecast: Three-time world champions Germany were expected to do better in Euro 2012 but were decisively beaten by Italy. They will be looking to put that quickly behind them and can stroll through this group at the expense of Sweden.
1. Germany 2. Sweden
Group D: Holland, Turkey, Hungary, Romania, Estonia and Andorra
Bet365 make Holland 1-3 to top Group D despite their inexplicable failure at Euro 2012. Turkey are seen as the main threat at 7-2 with Romania at 10-1 and Hungary at 12-1.
Forecast: Holland cannot possibly repeat their awful showing at Euro 2012 with so much talent available to them. Turkey are difficult to predict and should prove strong enough to secure second spot.
1. Holland 2. Turkey
Group E: Slovenia, Norway, Switzerland, Cyprus, Albania and Iceland
Bet365 make Switzerland favourites for Group E at 11-8 with Norway at 7-4 and Slovenia at 5-2. Cyprus are 33-1 with Albania and Iceland the rank outsiders.
Forecast: Slovenia could be the surprise packet of this group and upset the favourites for top spot. Switzerland and Norway could fight out the second spot with preference just for the latter.
1. Slovenia 2. Norway
Group F: Portugal, Russia, Israel, Northern Ireland, Azerbaijan and Luxembourg
Bet365 see Portugal as hot favourites to take this group at 4-7. Russia are expected to pose the biggest threat at 2-1 with Israel at 6-1. Northern Ireland are thought to be up against it at 33-1 with any price for the other two teams.
Forecast: Portugal flattered to deceive yet again at Euro 2012 but remain a force to be reckoned with at international level. It’s difficult to see them slipping up in this group and Russia look a solid bet to take second.
1. Portugal 2. Russia
Group G: Greece, Slovakia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Lithuania, Latvia and Liechtenstein
Bet365 can hardly split Greece and Slovakia as favourites for this group with the Greeks just shading it at 13-8 ahead of Slovakia at 7-4. Bosnia are also regarded as serious contenders at 5-2. Latvia and Lithuania are 18-1 with Liechtenstein the rank outsiders at 1000-1.
Forecast: Greece showed great character at Euro 2012 and will fancy their chances of going through from Group G. However, Bosnia-Herzegovina very nearly made the Euros, eventually losing out at the playoff stage. They can win this group.
1. Bosnia Herzegovina 2. Greece
Group H: England, Ukraine, Montenegro, Poland, Moldova and San Marino
Most best online sportsbooks for us customers have England as virtual certainties for the group at 4-11. Ukraine and Poland are second favourites at 5-1 with Montenegro 12-1 and massive prices available on the two outsiders.
Forecast: England are up against familiar foes here and should make no mistake in qualifying. Ukraine and Poland may be hard to split with Ukraine just favoured for second spot.
1. England 2. Ukraine
Group I: Spain, France, Belarus, Georgia and Finland
Bet365 cannot see any further than reigning World and European champions Spain with a price of 1-4 to top the group. France are the only conceivable danger at 5-2.
Forecast: Spain looked back to their majestic best when they put Italy to the sword in the Euro 2012 final and there does not seem to be much to test them in this group. France showed a hint of returning to being a major force in World football at that tournament and continue their progress here.
1. Spain 2. France
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