World Cup Picks -- "Redemption Time" Starts Now For Brazil

  • In Charles Jay
  • Sun, Jun 17th, 2018 8:48:47 am
  • By Charles Jay - Exclusive to OSGA


The Brazilian national team was humiliated the last time it played in the World Cup, so they hope to redeem themselves as they face a tough Swiss squad in Sunday World Cup action.

The last World Cup memory for Brazil was not a very pleasant one, and for that reason and that reason alone they might be expected to come roaring out of the gates when they begin play in World Cup 2018. But they are not engaged in a walkover in the opening game, as they have to navigate their way around a very competitive side from Switzerland, as this first match in Group E gets underway at 2 PM ET in Rostov. Remember that at BetAnySports, you'll have more wagering options than anywhere else when it comes to the biggest event on earth, including Live Betting Ultra.

For a country that has won five World Cups (the last as recently as 2002) and has such a rich history in international competition, there couldn't have been anything worse than the comedy of errors that saw them come out on the short end of a 7-1 score in the semi-finals of the 2014 tournament. And to add insult to injury, they were the host of the event. So it presumably with an additional sense of purpose that they embark on this mission, and they have enough talent to come out of their bracket - which could eventually lead to a rematch with Die Mannschaft in the title game.

Switzerland got out of the group phase in two of the last three Finals tournaments, and was second to Portugal in the qualifying group during this cycle. And they were lucky to win a playoff with Northern Ireland on goal difference, with the help of a controversial call. But they're here, and they're defensively-capable. But putting together a consistent attack may be a problem.

In the odds at BetAnySports upon which we will make our World Cup picks for this one, the Brazilian side is favored:

Brazil -250
Switzerland +896
Draw +389

Brazil -1.5 Goals +122
Switzerland +1.5 Goals -137

Over 2.5 Goals -117
Under 2.5 Goals +102

There are at least a couple of things about the Brazilian team that are different then they were four years ago. One of them is the head coach. Tite took over when this team failed to advance out of group in Copa America Centenario, and he has brought a better atmosphere to the proceedings. In qualifying, Brazil lost only one time in 18 games, all told.

And their best player wasn't on the field against Germany. Neymar, certainly one of the great players in the world, was having a very successful World Cup 2014 when he suffered a fractured vertebrae, and so he missed out on the semi-finals. His presence is one of the factors that makes Brazil the favorite at BetAnySports to capture the Cup, at +395 (and +190 to make the finals).

We're also anxious to see what we get out of Dani Alves, who in all likelihood will be playing in his last World Cup for Brazil. The 34-year-old defender has been, over a period of about seven years, arguably the best in the business in his spot, having made the FIFPro World XI six times. And he's back there with Marcelo, who loves being involved with the offense and is in that way another dangerous weapon the opposition has to worry about.

Switzerland has Xherdan Shaqiri, who plays in the Premier League with Stoke City and is referred to as "The Alpine Messi," but then again, a lot of players are the (fill in the blank) Messi when you take a look around. The general feeling is that the Swiss don't have a lot of goal-scoring ability aside form him, so maybe we'll take a shot laying the goals, grab a price and hope that a very charged-up team is stepping onto the pitch on Sunday.

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(The preceding information has been furnished for news matter only)


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