World Cup betting tips: Back Uruguay to reach the quarter finals at 7-2
Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani can combine in the ultimate strike force for the South Americans and they are helped by an easy group
WHEN the World Cup draw was made, Luis Suarez and Co must have felt like sending a case of grappamiel – Google it – to FIFA.
For while there may be no such thing as a gimme in the greatest footballing show on earth, the task facing Uruguay is as close as it gets.
Dream Team World Cup - Sign up to win £100k
• Enter for FREE
• £50m budget and 20 transfers throughout the tournament
• Play to win £100k top price and a share of £175k prizepot
SIGN UP FOR DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP NOW
The South Americans would struggle to do anything but top Group A even if their three opponents started each fixture 15 minutes before them.
Russia, regardless of whether they will have the lion’s share of support or not, are as weak a host nation as you could get.
Egypt are almost entirely dependent on Mo Salah, who – even if he is fit for the opening game against Uruguay – will be far from match sharp after his Champions League KO.
And Saudi Arabia are the whipping boys of the competition, the lowliest ranked team in the tournament, who will be lucky to score a goal, never mind get a point.
Contrast that with the riches at Uruguay’s disposal.
Luis Suarez, one of the world’s leading strikers, alongside the French league’s top scorer in PSG’s Edinson Cavani.
That’s not mentioning back-up hitman Cristhian Stuani, who hit 21 goals in his first season with La Liga minnows Girona.
So that takes care of the group stages, and a likely last 16 battle with Portugal, who are favourites to reach the first qualifying round as runners-up behind Spain.
Latest World Cup news
I know, I know, Portugal won Euro 2016, but let’s be honest here – they did so on the back of a hugely kind draw until they met France in the final.
And while Cavani and Suarez are no spring chickens, the combined age of the three Portuguese centre backs Jose Fonte, Pepe and Bruno Alves tops 100.
Somehow it’s hard to see them keeping that pair quiet for 90 minutes. Uruguay, on the other hand, have a defence marshalled by Atletico Madrid duo Jose Giminez and the awesome Diego Godin.
It would be a different story in the last eight, when the South Americans look destined to face France, and they would do well to come through that.
If that’s the case, the general 7-2 about the quarter-finals being Uruguay’s stage of elimination is a fantastic price.
Should the tournament unfold as looked probable, you’d basically be getting those odds on them beating Portugal in the last 16 – and they’ll be nowhere near that if the two do meet.