World Cup Group F

Speaking exclusively on the oddschecker World Cup Betting Show, BBC Sport writer Raj Chohan talked up the chances of Croatia defying the odds to top Group F (5/2) at the expense of Belgium.

He said: “I'm not fancying the odds for Belgium, I think Croatia will top the group. They remind me a bit of Real Madrid; they won't always dominate a game but they've got so many technical footballers in there, they can play through you from back to front at any moment. A midfield of Kovacic, Modric and Brozovic - that's got so much quality. 

 

“Up front there's a slight concern but they've got a new wave of talent. Gvardiol is a good centre-back from Leipzig, Sutalo for Dinamo Zagreb caused Chelsea problems in the Champions League. Croatia will beat Belgium, who leak goals for fun. Netherlands beat them 4-1 a few months ago and they're slightly caught between two generations.”

 

Football betting analyst Mark O’Haire agreed: “I think Belgium are very vulnerable, it's much more even than the odds suggest. I could make a claim for all four teams getting through but also oppose all four in different ways. Across the last three World Cups, these teams have bombed out at the group stage - Germany, England, Spain, Italy, Portugal and France. 

“It can happen here for Belgium so there's no way I want to be with them at 13/20 to win the group. The back three are all playing in Belgium which gives you a good indication of where they're at.

 

“Morocco are the team that really interest me in this group. They made a coaching change at the start of the year and there's a completely different outlook now. 

"If you look at the team, Bounou the keeper from Sevilla, Saiss at centre-back, Aguerd from West Ham, they've got the best full-backs in the competition in Mazraoui from Bayern and Hakimi. 

“Centre midfield is possibly the weakness but going forward you're relying on En-Nesyri and Ziyech back from international exile. The 2/1 (best price 23/10) for them to qualify really appeals to me.”