2022 FIFA World Cup Group A Betting Analysis, Odds Favorite, Upset Pick, and Dark Horse Option

2022 FIFA World Cup Group A Betting Analysis, Odds Favorite, Upset Pick, and Dark Horse Option

Written by on September 6, 2022

World Cup Group A might be one of the most competitive during the November tournament. Even though Netherlands is a huge favorite, squads like Ecuador and Senegal looked great during World Cup Qualifying. Either one of those higher odd teams can pose a threat to the Dutch. Keep reading for FIFA World Cup Odds, information on the favorite, the top upset team, the top dark horse, and a Group A prediction. 

2022 FIFA World Cup Group A Predictions, Favorites, and More | Soccer Betting Preview

2022 Qatar World Cup

  • When: Nov. 20 – Dec. 18

World Cup Group A Odds

Favorite: Netherlands 

On paper, the Orange rolls through their group opponents. The Dutch shouldn’t even allow a goal if we’re to believe what we see on the page. 

The Netherlands boast enough UEFA top level talent to make one’s head spin. Barcelona forward Memphis Depay has become a strong striker.  

Barca midfielder Frenkie de Jong is one of the reasons Camp Nou will challenge Real Madrid for the Primera Division title and why Barcelona is a legit contender to win the Champions League.

Then there’s defender Virgil Van Djik. The Liverpool back and Netherland’s captain is a point guard on the pitch. He will place Netherlands players in the right position throughout every group match. For sure, the Dutch deserve to be the favorites.    

Upset: Ecuador 

The Ecuadorians have more talent than many might believe. 20 year old midfielder Moises Caicedo plays for Brighton & Hove in the Premier League. 21 year old Gonzalo Plata, another mid, plays for Valladolid in La Liga. 

Michael Estrada is a Cruz Azul forward. Captain Enner Valencia plays for Turkish League power Fenerbahçe.

Sold players exist up and down Ecuador’s roster. But the real reason to give Ecuador a shot to upset their rivals and win Group A is because of how they stamped their ticket to the World Cup.

Ecuador beat out a highly-ranked Colombia side to secure a World Cup berth. The Ecuadorians are a solid bunch.  

Dark Horse: Senegal 

Ecuador winning Group A would be an upset. Senegal beating out the Netherlands and winning the group wouldn’t. 

Senegal might be the greatest team from Africa to ever head to a FIFA World Cup. The Senegalese boast one of the best players in the world in Sadio Mane. 

Mane isn’t alone. Nampalys Mendy is a 30 year old midfielder for Leicester City, Boulaye Dia plays for Salernitana in Italian Serie A, and Kalidou Koulibaly is a defender for Chelsea.

The current roster boasts 16 UEFA League players. Senegal, for sure, is talented enough to upset the Netherlands.

Predicted Winner: Senegal | Predicted Second Place: Netherlands

The Netherlands should be the chalk to win Group A, but Senegal is the pick. First, laying -250 on the Dutch to beat Mane and his mates is asking too much. 

-250 makes the Dutch an underlay. Second, Senegal’s roster is almost as deep as the Netherlands. Third, Depay and De Jong are terrific players. But Sadio Mane is one of the top five best soccer players in the world.

For those reasons, Senegal is the pick to win Group A. Although the Netherlands won’t win the group, they will make it to the knockout stage. 

Ecuador is solid, but they don’t have enough players to hang with the Netherlands. Senegal wins and the Dutch finish second. 

 

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