The long-waited 2022 FIFA World Cup is finally around the corner. Qatar, the host nation, will lock horns with Ecuador on November 20 in what will seemingly be an exciting curtain raiser of the month-long tournament. From South American stars like Neymar and Messi to Europe's finest, such as Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe, the tournament is expected to showcase some of the best talents ever to kick the ball.
Although the top bookmakers have already published their 2022 FIFA World Cup odds, dozens of football enthusiasts have done their own analysis to predict teams with the best chance of lifting the cup. Martin Green is one of those individuals.
Martin Green at a Glance: After working in the sports wagering industry for years, Martin Green transitioned into a professional sports writer and handicapper. Since diving into his new endeavor, Green's predictions have been stunningly accurate, with his finger on the pulse of soccer worldwide.
Hence, he has been the go-to for many punters, beginners and seasoned. Having analyzed the 2022 encounter, Green hasn't hesitated to make his picks and predictions known to the global football betting community.
It must be remembered that predictions are not necessarily correct. However, they point to the likely outcome, and any bettor would ignore them at their (bettor) own peril. Having explained that, it is time to embark on the gist: Green's take and predictions.
While Green is not high on Brazil's chances of claiming the trophy, he does admit that Brazil will be a force to be reckoned with in the 2022 FIFA World Cup tournament. Of course, Green is not being over-ambitious here; who doesn't know Brazil? In fact, it is the most successful team in the tournament's history, having claimed the glory a whopping five times.
Considering that most nations dream of qualifying for the tournament (let alone winning it), this is a huge feat that only a few countries could achieve in the 21st Century.
Save for Germany and Italy, which have been crowned the World Cup champions four times each, no country has threatened to surpass Brazil. What is the point then? The point is that the emergence of Brazil as the football odds-on favorite is not bizarre and far-fetched.
The writing is on the wall that the Selecao have been enjoying the best form in the football world ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Having played 13 games without a single loss highlights this claim. Although the team is often heralded for its free-flowing play style, it is their defense that has been outstanding during their unbeaten run. But why is Green not certain with a country that will be seeking to win its sixth crown?
While the bookies have put Brazil ahead of every team (at least for now), Green seems to be taking a dissenting view as he doesn't believe that Tite's side has everything it takes to beat other top contenders hands down. Having failed to win the Copa America last summer, it is emerging that the team may not perform at the biggest stage as many would expect.
Worse still is the fact that they lost the continental tournament to an archrival on home soil. Yes, a team that is looking to win the World Cup should not be losing when it matters most.
Moreover, the Selecao have never laid their hands on the biggest trophy since 2022, and their performance in the 2018 edition was not up to the mark – they crashed out of the competition in the quarter-finals. And, the football fraternity hasn't forgotten the 2014 underwhelming performance on home soil, which saw them get a thorough beating by Germany (7-1).
Having analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of Brazil, Green seems to be leaning towards other football juggernauts, including France, Spain, and England. Of course, the history of France in the tournament is well documented, and the fact that they are the defending champions means they will go to any length to retain the cup.
They were clear favorites in 2018, and they still have what it takes to reassure fans that they are still the best. With talents such as Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé at the peak of their football career, the scales can easily tilt in favor of France.
Talking of Spain and England, the two sides have rejuvenated squads that can give any best team a run for their money. Besides, they have won the tournament once each, meaning it won't be a surprise if either team claims victory this time round.
For avid punters, the World Cup presents an excellent opportunity to bet. While there are many bets to choose from, the ''tournament winner'' is among the most popular. The latest odds indicate that Brazil is the most favored to lift the crown in Doha, with bookies giving it +450. Here are the odds of the top 10 favorites:
So, who is better placed to win the FIFA World Cup 2022? With the above odds, one should be able to give a good guess, factoring in the views of the expert himself - Martin Green.
