World Cup round of 16 betting guide and tips

Brazil 2022 World Cup Winner (+200)

Since I gave out a massive underdog pick with Morocco advancing over Spain, I had to balance things out with at least one bet that most people will support. The Brazilians were favorites coming into the tournament, with Tite selecting one of the most skillful squads in recent World Cup history. The names on the teamsheet alone are enough to strike fear into the hearts of opposing defenders, with attacking superstars like Neymar, Raphinha, Richarlison, and Vinicius Jr. littering this edition of A Selecao.

The Brazilians displayed their dominance throughout the group stage, topping Group G to create a relatively easy run-in to the semifinals. They’ll face South Korea, one of the many AFC nations that miraculously qualified for the knockout stages thanks to a last-minute victory over Portugal, in the round of 16, before squaring off with either Croatia or Japan in the quarterfinals. Respect to these nations for advancing further than many would’ve expected before the tournament started, but I don’t think anyone can see the five-time champions making an early exit.

While Brazil has always been known for its flashy jogo bonito playing style, most of the credit for this team’s success must go to the defense, led by Chelsea’s own Thiago Silva. More than a few eyebrows were raised when Tite announced he would be entering the tournament with Alex Sandro, Danilo, Dani Alves, and Alex Telles as his fullbacks, as many of these players are probably past their primes. However, the longtime Brazilian gaffer’s selection has proven that experience can be an invaluable asset at major international tournaments. Behind the leadership of Silva and Marquinhos at center back, the Brazilians boasted the best defensive record during the group stage and will certainly look to continue collecting clean sheets as the competition progresses.

The tricks and flicks of A Selecao’s magical forwards will garner attention from casual viewers on social media, but true football fans know that a stout back line is key to ultimately hoisting the World Cup trophy. Silva’s leadership and skill are crucial to Brazil sustaining its run as a fortified defensive juggernaut. I’ll admit that the value on this future isn’t the best at only +200 odds, but it’s better than anything you’ll find for individual Brazil matches going forward.

Betting any one side to win the World Cup after only the group stage is a somewhat risky proposition, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a collection of players as talented as the current one donning the famous yellow jersey. All games are available on fuboTV in both English and Spanish – here’s a link to a free trial for FS’s Chelsea readers.