World Cup Betting – Group D
England look in danger of exiting this year’s World Cup at the group stages, as Italy and Uruguay lead the betting.
Sportingly Better picks out the best World Cup football betting predictions in Group D, with European runners up Italy the slight favourites to win the group.
World Cup Betting – Group D
Italy – 2.62
Uruguay – 2.75
England – 3.20
Costa Rica – 51.00
Italy
The second most successful nation in World Cup history will be looking to carry the Azzurri flag deep into the latter stages of the tournament, after a shambolic campaign four years ago in South Africa.
Italy will need to endure the highest average temperatures than any other World Cup nation, but last year’s showing at the Confederations Cup suggests the Azzurri will be one of the more suited European sides in Brazil.
Cesare Prandelli has mastered the Italians recovery from a position where they finished without a point at the last World Cup to European finalists two years later, whilst his management of wildcard Mario Balotelli proved effective with the AC Milan striker scoring five goals during qualification.
Prandelli’s use of metronome Andrea Pirlo will have to be closely monitored given the player’s age, but the Italian’s look backable to beat England on Saturday and secure top spot in Group D.
Uruguay
Uruguay required a play-off victory against Jordan to secure their place at the 2014 World Cup, after finishing fifth in the South American qualifying group.
A goal difference of zero highlights la Celeste’s weaknesses defensively despite La Liga winner Diego Godin marshalling the side, but Oscar Tabarez’s side carry arguably the biggest attacking threat in Group D.
The injury and fitness of Luis Suarez remains an ongoing concern, with the Liverpool striker all but certain to miss la Celeste’s opening game with Costa Rica on the 14th June and doubtful to face England just five days later.
Tabarez will need to find an inspired performance from Edinson Cavani if Uruguay are to make their mark on this summer’s tournament, but la Celeste will need to endure a lengthy travel schedule and games without their injured talisman first.
England
An unbeaten run in qualifying saw England make the 2014 World Cup, but expectations on the Three Lions have never been lowergoing into a major international tournament.
Wayne Rooney will be looking to score his first ever goal in a World Cup after failing to net in either Germany (2006) or South Africa (2010), but England’s star striker for so long did at least manage to score seven goals in six qualifiers for England during the current campaign.
The introduction of Ross Barkley, Raheem Sterling, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Luke Shaw and Daniel Sturridge has given England fans some optimism for the future, but back-to-back defeats against Chile and Germany in November and a disappointing draw with Honduras last weekend has left the Three Lions as the joint-eighth favourites in the outright betting market.
England’s defensive showings have been far from encouraging and although the pace of Sterling and Oxlade-Chamberlain could be used effectively on the break in Brazil, the likes of James Milner and Danny Welbeck are likely to start instead.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica will be hoping to equal their best ever result of a last 16 place in Italia ’90, after impressing during the qualification rounds.
Ticos goalkeeper Keylor Navas formed a backline that kept seven clean sheets from just 14 qualifying matches, whilst the strike partnership of Bryan Ruiz and Joel Campbell provided the Central American side with plenty of threat going forward.
Costa Rica went 476 minutes without conceding a goal during qualification and although Jorge Luis Pinto’s remain well organised and resilient, World Cup elimination at the group stages seems an almost certain probability given the strength of opposition in Group D.
Recommended Football Tips
Italy to win Group D @2.62
Italy to beat England @2.62
Author Credit: Jonathan Day
Image Credit: http://flickr.com/photos/7221539@N06/5813585992
Related Posts
Dundee v Ross County Betting Tips →
Forfar v Edinburgh Betting Tips →
Dundee v Ross County Betting Tips →
