Now that the Brazil 2014 World Cup is finally here, it’s time to start making some serious money by betting on it. There are some great games amongst the opening fixtures, and here we bring you three accumulator bets to match all temperaments: one easy winner for the risk averse, one medium risk if you fancy longer odds and high risk (but high reward) long shot if you’re feeling particularly lucky!
Easy Winner – 17/10 (Bet365)
- Brazil to beat Croatia (3/10) – Hosts Brazil have won 15 of their last 16 matches, while Croatia lost home and away to Scotland during their qualifying campaign. A clear banker to start your acca here.
- Chile to beat Australia (9/20) – Chile could be the surprise package of the World Cup. They outplayed England when winning 2-0 at Wembley in November and will have no problems despatching of the Aussies here.
- Uruguay to beat Costa Rica (4/9) – Whether or not Luis Suarez is fit for Uruguay, the South American side should win this one at a canter given Costa Rica have been beaten by Japan and Australia recently.
Medium Risk – 23/1 (BetVictor)
- Mexico v Cameroon: Over 2.5 goals (17/10) – Two attacking sides with contrasting styles will battle it out here and given neither is particularly adept defensively we think this will be a match for the neutrals (and those backing over 2.5 goals) to enjoy.
- Colombia v Greece: Draw (11/5) – Without the world class striker Radamel Falcao Colombia might struggle to break down a stubborn and stoic Greek side who make things very difficult for the opposition. We can’t see Greece having enough to win, but they could very well battle to a stalemate in this one.
- England v Italy: Over 2.5 goals (9/5) – England look to be going into a major tournament with a very exciting attacking line up for the first time since Euro ‘96. On the other hand, their defence looks as weak as it has in decades! As such we predict goals at both ends here… hopefully the Three Lions can get just one more than the Azzurri though!
Long Shot – 155/1 (Coral)
- Brazil to beat Croatia by a Two Goal Margin (3/1) – The pressure on the home nation to win the World Cup (and perform stylishly whilst doing so) is vast, and though we think they will win this opener against Croatia, we can’t see it being a total rout. A two goal margin of victory looks the likely outcome to us.
- Spain to beat Netherlands 2-1 (8/1) – Netherlands will be determined to exact revenge for their World Cup final defeat in 2010, but we think the Spaniards will do enough to edge this one 2-1 in what should be a highly entertaining encounter.
- England to beat Italy by a One Goal Margin (10/3) – Part wishful thinking perhaps, but we think if England stay solid at the back (okay, quite a big ask!) they could nick the win in their opener against an aging and slightly predictable Italy side whose main goal threat comes from the erratic Mario Balotelli. Come on England!