United States Underdog Against Belgium in World Cup Knockout Round
by Bovada Sportsbook Staff | June 30, 2014
The United States’ soccer team was so close to beating Portugal (No. 4) in the World Cup’s group stage. So one may think the USA should have a great shot against Belgium (No. 11) as they face off in the knockout round.
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However, Bovada oddsmakers list the Americans as the underdogs at +250. Belgium is +105 to win the match, and a regulation draw is set at +260. The over/under are 2.5 goals, and the under is a favorite at -165. While the Belgians don’t have player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo, they are likely an overall deeper team.
Belgium won each group stage game by a goal: 2-1 against Algeria, 1-0 against Russia and 1-0 against South Korea. That group was certainly weaker than the "group of death" the Americans faced. Belgium is also dealing with some notable injuries. Stellar center back Vincent Kompany has a groin injury.
Meanwhile, the Americans are hopeful that star striker Jozy Altidore will be able to play. He strained his left hamstring early in the United States’ opening-round win over Ghana, and he hasn’t been able to play since. Altidore is Team USA’s best forward, and the American offense clearly misses him. The U.S. had only 72 attacks during three group-stage games. They were 31st among the 32 teams, ahead of only Costa Rica (69). The Americans were outshot 54-27 in the three matches, and they rarely held possession in their loss to Germany. Coach Jurgen Klinsmann has opted to start just a single forward, Clint Dempsey, in the past two matches. Midfielder Jermaine Jones, who scored the first goal against Portugal, fractured his nose in Thursday’s loss to Germany but will play despite his injury.
The Americans faced Belgium last year in a friendly in Cleveland. The Belgians won 4-2. Geoff Cameron tied the match 1-1 in the 22nd minute, but Belgium scored the next three. The Americans are 1-4-0 all-time against Belgium. The USA is 50/1 to win the World Cup and Belgium is 20/1.
The winner of Tuesday’s match will face the Argentina-Switzerland winner in the quarterfinals on July 5. The Argentines are the favorites at -220 to win against the Swiss (+600). A regulation draw is set at +350.
Lionel Messi, former world player of the year, is a crucial player for Argentina. He has four goals in the tournament. He is 9/4 to be the tournament’s top goal-scorer. The Swiss have their own transcendent player, Xherdan Shaqiri. He had a hat trick in Switzerland’s 3-0 win over Honduras, and he is 66/1 to lead the tournament in goals. The Swiss are 0-4-2 all-time against Argentina, and when the two teams met in 2012, Messi led his team to victory by scoring his first international hat trick.
On the bright side for the Swiss, the non-Argentine fans are expected to largely be in their favor. Brazilians are very anti-Argentina as it is Brazil’s top rival. The Argentines are 4/1 to win the World Cup, so they are on Brazil’s heels. The two countries could only meet in the final.
