The World Cup is inching ever closer and it will creep up on us before we know it. This will be a World Cup like no other, and Qatar, which will be firmly under the spotlight, will be hoping to provide the perfect advertisement for football.
Normally, there will be a few teams that will be cast as the usual suspects insofar as being serious contenders or having the panache to lift the coveted Jules Rimet trophy goes.
There is a propensity to gravitate towards the likes of Brazil, Argentina, and Germany to triumph, such are their credentials in international football’s biggest competition.
Expectation levels have also ratcheted for Belgium recently, who boast a highly-vaunted squad, and despite possessing a ‘Golden Generation’ of talent, they are yet to fulfil their potential.
However, there are some that slot into the category of dark horses, as they could embark on a serious run and be the surprise packages. A cursory glance at the World Cup groups shows there are a few teams that could shake things up.
If we take Denmark, for example, they have the makings of a brilliant team. With an experienced shot-stopper in their ranks in Kasper Schmeichel as well as a solid spine in midfield with Christian Eriksen and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, the Danes could ruffle a few feathers.
Denmark has been pitted in Group D alongside France, Australia, and Tunisia, and they should have few problems in qualifying for the knockout stages. There is this steely determination about them and with Mikkel Damsgaard up front, he could well bag a few goals.
Of the South American contingent at the World Cup, Uruguay has a serious chance to defy the odds. While Argentina and Brazil usually hog the limelight, Uruguay has a nice blend of youth and experience, and their attack is fearsome, considering when they can call upon Edinson Cavani, Luis Suarez, and Darwin Nunez.
Although Uruguay’s success in the World Cup arrived in the earlier editions of the tournament, they are long overdue for a good run and perhaps this could be their time.
Meanwhile, Wales has embraced the tag of the underdog. After a 64-year hiatus from the World Cup, Wales secured their spot at Qatar via the playoffs. And if they can replicate the feat of Euro 2016 where they reached the semi-finals, well it will certainly make people sit up and take notice. Much of their hopes will be pinned on Gareth Bale who has become a poster boy for the country.
As always, the World Cup throws up a few upsets, and aside from being keenly contested, it will be widely followed. While some fans may be going through the motions watching their teams struggle during the group stages, there will be FIFA World Cup betting sites all over the world ready to pounce and dish up the best prices for each match as promptly as possible.
Some of these operators will be based in Australia. For example, bet365 will constantly update their World Cup coverage with competitive odds, and you will find some great outright markets here. If you are looking to back one of the dark horses, bet365 is currently offering an intriguing price of 28/1 for Denmark to clinch the World Cup.
Naturally, there will be some teams that won’t follow the script and they will be the ones to watch. Of the supposed dark horses we have mentioned, Denmark could be a serious threat. Only time will tell but the World Cup is set to be an exhilarating experience.
