2014 World Cup Betting

All Sportsbook Insider customers can add the 2014 World Cup to your Live Odds page from the available sports found in the Settings. We currently show all the opening and current odds, full line histories, and betting percentages around the market for each game. Columns 1, X and 2 serve for average/biggest World Cup 2014 betting odds offered on home team to win, draw and away team to win the World Cup 2014 match. The top line of upcoming matches table (Soccer - World - World Cup 2014) lets you click-through to higher categories of Odds Portal betting odds comparison service.

You are here: HomeWorld Cup

Brazil 2014 Qualification Formats

With the calendar turned to 2011 continental qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup will begin in earnest this year. Keeping in mind that the qualifying process begins slowly and won’t pick up steam until late 2012 when Europe joins in on the fun, let us look at how each continent has set up its qualifying process for this go round. Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Initially slated to begin last October, the AFC qualifying will start with two-leg knockout qualification

First Thoughts on Qatar 2022

More than two weeks have come and gone since soccer fans around the globe were gifted the holiday present they never wanted: Qatar being awarded the 2022 World Cup. In a surprise vote that wasn’t quite as big a surprise

Too Early to Talk 2014 Long Shots?

With the 2018 and 2022 World Cup selection hubbub dying down outside of the countries deemed the big winners or losers from the Dec. 2 FIFA announcement it can’t be too early to look at the potential moneymakers for 2014.

First Thoughts on Russia 2018

Just more than a week has allowed arrogant Americans and Brits to come to terms with losing their respective bids for future FIFA World Cup tournaments and now the real fun begins. While Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022 (yes, that

Can Batista Lead Argentina To World Cup Glory?

Heading into the 2010 World Cup, many observers considered Argentina a strong possibility to win the title. The talent was certainly there led by arguably the best soccer player in the world, Lionel Messi. The big question mark was coaching

Futures Betting Favors Brazil To Win 2014 World Cup Title

The 20th FIFA World Cup won’t get underway until June 13, 2014 but sportsbooks are already offering futures betting odds on the outright winner of international football’s biggest prize. Brazil will be the host country for the 2014 World Cup,

Bet on World Cup 2014

Football’s World Cup tournament—properly known as the FIFA World Cup—is the biggest sporting event in the world. Held every four years, it was the center of attention for literally billions of sports fans all over the globe this summer and will be again in 2014. The popularity of the World Cup is mind-boggling and its financial impact provides a significant boost to the economies of countries from England to the Ivory Coast. It is estimated that over 715 million viewers watched the 2006 World Cup final between Italy and France and final numbers from the 2010 World Cup betting will likely exceed that figure.

The 2014 World Cup will be held in Brazil during June and July. Brazil is the fifth country to host the World Cup twice joining Mexico, Italy, France and Germany. It’ll be the first World Cup held in South America since the 1978 event in Argentina and will mark the first time in history that back-to-back World Cups will be held outside of Europe.

Not surprisingly, the World Cup is equally popular as a betting event. While it’s impossible to get an exact figure, some analysts suggest that European bookmakers took in over one billion pounds (approximately $1.59 billion US) in wagers on the event. By way of comparison, Nevada’s sportsbooks take $90 million US worth of bets on the NFL Superbowl in an average year. With so many betting outlets outside of Europe, the actual amount of money that’s bet on the World Cup is mind boggling. Suffice to say that the 2010 World Cup could very likely be the largest sports betting event in history and the 2014 will likely top that record.

The host country of Brazil will be looking to bounce back from a relatively disappointing performance in 2010 where they were eliminated in the quarterfinals by The Netherlands. The defending World Cup champion is Spain, and they’ll be anxious to defend their first ever tournament crown. Some sportsbooks have already posted World Cup futures betting odds with Brazil, Spain and Argentina the top three favorites.

0 – The curse of the Ballon d’Or

No player who has won the Ballon d’Or (FIFA World Player of the Year) has ever become a World Champion the following year. This doesn’t bode well for Portugal 30.610* whose Cristiano Ronaldo collected the prestigious award for the first time in 2013. Interestingly three players – Zinedine Zidane (1998), Gerd Muller (1974) and Xavi (2010) – who won the World Cup finished third in the Ballon d’Or the year before. Franck Ribery claimed third prize in 2013, and his French team are available at 22.000*

1 – Hosts struggle in the modern era

Despite six nations winning the World Cup on home soil – Uruguay (1930), Italy (1934), England (1966), West Germany (1974), Argentina (1978) and France (1998) -, only France have done so since 1978. This shows that despite a significant HFA, hosts have struggled to lift the trophy in the modern era.

2 – Defending the trophy is tough

Only twice in the history of the World Cup have the defending champions retained their trophy – Italy (1934 & 1938) and Brazil (1958 & 1962). However, since Mexico 1986 – classed as the modern era – no nation has defended their title, which would mean Spain 7.180* – who have an implied probability of 13.93%, would rewrite history if they win in Brazil.

2 (again) – Final decided by a shoot-out

Only twice has the World Cup been decided by a penalty shoot-out – 1994 and 2006. Italy were involved in both occasions losing to Brazil 3-2 in 1994 and winning 4-3 against France in 2006. Gli Azzurri are 24.000* to win their fifth World Cup.

2.1 – Own goal shocker

Since Mexico 1986 there have been 15 own goals at an average of 2.1 per World Cup. 2006 winners, Italy, conceded their only goal in open-play when Cristian Zaccardo put past his own goalkeeper against the USA.

2.46 – Average goals per game

In the modern era an average of 2.46 goals has been scored per game at the World Cup. If you include all World Cups that average raises significantly to 3.12 goals. Germany 6.410* have been the highest scoring team at the last two World Cups – 2006 (14) and 2010 (16) – despite exiting at the semi-final stage on both occasions.

3 – Always the bride

The Netherlands have finished runner-up three times in 1974, 1978 and 2010 – the most without ever winning a World Cup. The Dutch can be backed at 27.000* which gives them an implied probability of 3.7%.

5 – Brazil have the golden touch

Brazil are the most successful nation in the World Cup with five victories (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 & 2002). Unsurprisingly they also boast the best historical win percentage, winning 67% of all World Cup games. The hosts are the 3.780* favourites to claim a sixth crown.

5 (again) – Salenko has a moment of inspiration

In the searing American heat Russian striker Oleg Salenko scored five goals in a 6-1 rout of Cameroon in the group stage of the 1994 World Cup. Salenko’s five goals – which helped him share the Golden Boot with 6 total goals – is the most any player has scored in a match during the World Cup. Bizarrely these were his only ever international goals.

5.42 – Bore draw

There have been 38 goalless draws since Mexico 1986, which averages out at 5.42 per tournament. Interestingly the last two tournaments have witnessed the most 0-0 draws with eight a-piece.

6 – Average goals for the Golden Boot winner

The Golden Boot winner has averaged 6 goals per tournament since Mexico 1986. The most ever scored in a World Cup was France’s Just Fontaine who found the net an incredible 13 times in Sweden 1958. Read these factors to consider before you select a World Cup Golden Boot winner.

10 – Hiding to nothing

The biggest World Cup winning margin saw Hungary smash El Salvador 10-1 at the Spanish World Cup in 1982. Despite this opening Group 3 win, the Hungarians failed to qualify for the knockout stage, while El Salvador played more defensively against Belgium and Argentina, losing 1-0 and 2-0 respectively.

11 seconds – Blink and you’ll miss it

In 2002 it took Hakan Sukur just 11 seconds to score for Turkey against South Korea in the third place play-off. Sukur’s goal remains the fastest at a World Cup and helped Turkey secure their best ever World Cup finish.

13 – Point to the spot

13 Penalties have been awarded on average at each tournament since Mexico 1986, which equates to a penalty every 4.47 games. South Africa 2010 witnessed the fewest penalties (9) awarded in the modern era, while the most came at France 1998 (17).

16 – Host continent dominate

Looking back at the previous 19 World Cups, only three occasions has the winner come from a different continent to the host – Brazil (1958 & 2002) and Spain (2010). The relevance of this trend for World Cup 2014 is that it suggests the South American teams will do well. Argentina can be backed at 5.540*, while Uruguay are available at 22.000* to win their first title since 1950.

17 – Red mist

Betting For 2014 World Cup

17 is the average number of red cards at a World Cup finals since 1986. If you include all World Cups the number drops to 8.2. The 2006 finals in Germany holds the record for the most red cards in a World Cup when an incredible 28 dismissals were shown at an average of 0.43 per game. Click here to read how red cards and cautions affect live betting.

18 – French the lowest ranked team to win

2014 World Cup Teams

Since the FIFA World Rankings were introduced in 1992, France’s victory on home soil in 1998 ensured they became the lowest ranked team – 18th – to win the World Cup. Both Mexico (19) and the Ivory Coast (21) can be backed at 121.000* to win the World Cup.

19 – Nationality of the coach

One of the most striking World Cup trends, which covers all 19 events since the tournament was established back in 1930, is that the coach of the winning team has always been from that nation. Russia are managed by Fabio Capello and are at 61.000* to win and break the trend. All teams with shorter odds than the Russians have home grown coaches.

22 – Penalty shoot-outs

There have been 22 penalty shoot-outs in the history of the World Cup. Unbelievably, since 1986 Germany have a 100% record and have not missed a penalty in a World Cup shoot-out. At the other end of the spectrum is England who have lost all three penalty shoot-outs they have been involved in at a World Cup.

100% – South Americans dominate in the Americas

Spain and Germany are amongst the favourites to win in Brazil, however the World Cup history indicates when it comes to defending continental boundaries, South America has proven unbeatable. In the seven World Cups held in the Americas, South American nations have won on each occasion – Brazil (1962, 1970 & 1994), Uruguay (1930 & 1950) and Argentina (1978 & 1986). However, there are dangers in relying solely on historic trends to predict the winner, read this article to find out why.