At the onset of action, the Netherlands is a strong World Cup betting odds favorite in Group A. Netherlands is expected to dominate the group. And they will be a prohibitive favorite in their opening match against Senegal. The Netherlands brings a vast advantage in roster depth and skill. Also, they play a much tougher schedule of quality teams. Senegal is the second choice by default. In reality, they have as much chance as Ecuador and Qatar. Due to being the host nation, Qatar is in the World Cup. Otherwise, they would be nowhere near the pitch.
2022 World Cup Betting Information
| Dates | November 21 – December 18, 2022 |
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| Location: | Qatar |
2022 World Cup Group A Odds to Win
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Netherlands | -250 |
| Senegal | +450 |
| Ecuador | +600 |
| Qatar | +1400 |
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2022 World Cup Championship Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Brazil | +450 |
| France | +550 |
| England | +550 |
| Spain | +800 |
| Argentina | +900 |
| Germany | +1100 |
| Belgium | +1200 |
| Portugal | +1200 |
| Netherlands | +1200 |
| Croatia | +5000 |
| Uruguay | +5000 |
| Switzerland | +8000 |
| Senegal | +8000 |
| USA | +10000 |
| Poland | +12500 |
| Serbia | +15000 |
| Mexico | +15000 |
| Ecuador | +15000 |
| Canada | +15000 |
| Peru | +20000 |
| Cameroon | +20000 |
| Japan | +25000 |
| Morocco | +25000 |
| Ukraine | +25000 |
| South Korea | +25000 |
| Saudi Arabia | +25000 |
| Ghana | +25000 |
| Qatar | +35000 |
| Wales | +35000 |
| Tunisia | +35000 |
| Iran | +50000 |
| Australia | +50000 |
| Scotland | +50000 |
| Costa Rica | +150000 |
| New Zealand | +200000 |
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2022 World Cup Group A Match 1 Qatar Vs. Ecuador
| Date | Monday, November 21, 2022, 5 a.m. ET |
| Location | Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor |
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It is true that the Qataris are the worst host nation in the history of the World Cup. And they’re only in the tournament because of the incredibly dubious process that led to their country being awarded the tournament.
Qatar is 51st in the best sportsbook online FIFA rankings. Also, Twenty First Group’s model rates them as the worst offensive and defensive team in the tournament. Qatar can play some nice possession soccer at times. For example, is their match against the USMNT at the 2021 Gold Cup. But it’s hard to see them not getting overpowered by bigger and stronger teams.
Of course, Ecuador is not good. They barely eked out a positive goal differential in qualifying. But they should cruise in this one.
2022 World Cup Group A Match 2 Senegal vs. Netherlands
| Date | Monday, November 21, 2022, 11 a.m. ET |
| Location | Al Thumana Stadium, Doha |
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Overall, some key World Cup betting statistics pertain to this match. Over the past two World Cups, 80% of the games were won by one team or another. And then the remaining 20% ended in draws. In sum, there have been an average of 2.6 goals scored per game. Further, when a team wins, they score 2.3 goals and concede 0.6. When it’s a draw, the scores, very nicely, add up to 1.0 goals for and 1.0 goals against. So, roughly, the average win at the World Cup is 2-1, and the average draw is a 1-1.
Where does all of the above lead, you ask?
While they missed the 2018 World Cup, the Netherlands scored the most goals (2.1) and conceded the second fewest (0.6) among teams to appear in at least one of the previous two tournaments. Their manager in 2014? Louis van Gaal. Their manager in 2018? One Louis van Gaal.
Naturally, the Netherlands benefits from what is widely considered the worst group in the tournament. The Netherlands is the eighth-best team according to the Twenty First Group model. While Senegal ranks 16th.
