Despite all the issues that the covid-19 pandemic has brought to the entire World, in UEFA, World Cup qualifying has officially begun as the ten groups begin their respective quest to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.
The top team in each group automatically qualifies for the tournament while the runners up go to the second round of qualification in search of the last remaining spots. The second round will feature a semi-final and final bracket to determine the final 3 places.
At DraftKings the oddsmakers have put out who they believe are the favorites to qualify and their respective odds. In this article we will review three of these groups and their betting scenarios.
Group B: Spain, Sweden, Greece, Georgia, Kosovo
Group B of European World Cup qualifying could be a tight group. Spain are the clear favorites with -560 and -10000 chances to finish first and second. Sweden, with the return of Zlatan Ibrahimović, is paying out +500 and -670. While they look like a lock to qualify to at least the second round, Greece could be a surprise at +1500 and +300. The Greeks have a very competitive squad and could steal some points from Sweden and Spain if either side is not too careful.
Group E: Belgium, Wales, Czech Republic, Belarus, Estonia
One of the most competitive groups of the qualification campaign is Group E. Belgium should have no problem finishing first at -670, there aren’t even odds if they finish second. Second place is where the story gets hot, the Czech Republic is a firm second choice at +500 and -286, while Wales could be a surprise and at +1500 to win the group, it’s a long shot, but to place second at +200 it could be enticing for bettors.
Group H: Croatia, Slovakia, Russia, Slovenia, Cyprus, Malta
This group looks like a tossup, at least for second spot, Croatia, the runners up of the 2018 World Cup should qualify first in this group at -143, but second could be up for grabs. Slovenia has a very competitive squad with players in Serie A, Spain, and Portugal, at +3000 and +400 if they finished second, they could be a dark horse.
