WORLD CUP BETTING: Elimination of Champion Spain Biggest Story Line in 2014 FIFA World Cup
by Bovada Sportsbook Staff | June 20, 2014
No team has repeated as the FIFA World Cup champion since Brazil took the 1958 championship in Sweden and again in Chile four years later. The 2014 World Cup is only a week or so into the tournament, but we’re already assured that those who bet on Bovada’s World Cup futures for defending champion Spain will not be winners.
Join Bovada, make your first deposit and instantly receive a 50% Free Bet Bonus up to $250.
Spain opened the tournament as the world’s top-ranked team; they were the winner of not just the last World Cup but also Euro 2008 and 2012, the second-biggest tournament in the world. They were 6/1 at Bovada to win the 2014 Cup. So it was shocking to see Spain routed 5-1 by the Netherlands in the World Cup opener – the worst loss for a defending champion in its first game and the most goals allowed so far in the 2014 World Cup. Most expected a desperate Spain to bounce back Wednesday against Chile, but the Spaniards were upset 2-0 as big favorites.
Spain will not advance to the knockout round and is the first defending champion to lose its first two matches in the following World Cup. However, it’s the second time a defending champion didn’t advance out of the group stage; 2006 winner Italy finished last in its group four years ago in South Africa. Spain’s Group B finale against Australia will mean nothing on June 23 as the Aussies are also out. The Dutch and the Chileans were the first two countries to advance in the World Cup. The Netherlands are +150 to win their June 23 match against Chile. Winning that match could be crucial as the Group B second-place team would likely have to face Brazil in the knockout round.
The Brazilians, who remain the favorites at 3/1 to win the World Cup, suffered a minor upset Tuesday when they tied Mexico 1-1 as heavy favorites. Those two countries are tied atop Group A with four points, but Brazil leads in goal differential. Brazil also has an easier final match against Cameroon, which has been eliminated, and Mexico faces Croatia, which still has a shot to advance. Brazil is still the favorite at -1000 to win Group A. Mexico is +900.
The biggest favorite for any World Cup group is now Argentina at -5000 to take Group F, which is arguably the weakest group. Argentina beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-1 in its opening match and is a massive favorite (-900) for Saturday’s match against Iran. The Argentines likely have the most fan support in Brazil outside of their home country.
The United States could advance to the knockout round with a win against Portugal on Sunday, but the Americans are the underdogs at +300. Portugal, with world player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo, was embarrassed 4-0 in its first match against Germany. Ronaldo is questionable for Sunday’s match, which would be a huge boost to the U.S. hopes. However, Team USA will be without Jozy Altidore, one of its best players, because he was injured in the Americans’ opening 2-1 win over Ghana. The USA is given odds of -115 to advance out of Group G but equal odds not to.
Bet on the 2014 FIFA World Cup at Bovada.
