2022 World Cup Group D: Preview, Odds, Picks & Betting Guide

by Trenton Pruitt |
Nov 07, 2022

In just a few weeks, the most talented soccer players in the world will make their way to Qatar for the World Cup! We're guaranteed to see plenty of elite play throughout the coming weeks, and personally, I can't wait to see the stars on the big stage.

This article is for you if you're looking to explore the futures market or simply need some extra information on specific teams. I will dive into each team from Group D and provide my favorite futures play from this group.

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook

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France (+650 Outright Winner | -225 To Win Group D)

The French National Team will look to pull off a feat that hasn't been done since Brazil did it in 1962 - repeat as World Cup champions. The oddsmakers have them listed with the third-shortest odds to accomplish that goal, trailing only Brazil (+400) and Argentina (+550).

France will be shorthanded this World Cup, considering they'll be without midfielders Paul Pogba (knee) and Nâ€™Golo KantÃ© (hamstring). Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) and defender RaphaÃ«l Varane (Manchester United) are also nursing injuries as we approach the tournament. However, France still boasts an insane attacking trio of Antoine Griezemann (AtlÃ©tico Madrid), Olivier Giroud (Milan), and Kylian MbappÃ© (PSG). They're also still strong on their own end, as Hugo Lloris (Tottenham) will return to handle the goalkeeping. The 35-year-old has been a mainstay at France's goal line since taking the reins during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Denmark (+2800 Outright Winner | +225 To Win Group D)

Denmark is set to make its sixth appearance in the World Cup, and even though they're lacking in trips to the tournament, they make the ones they compete in worthwhile. They've moved through the group stage in four out of five tries and made it as far as the Quarter-finals back in 1998. The oddsmakers expect this trend to continue as they have them at -280 to punch their ticket to the Round of 16.

Christian Eriksen (Manchester United) headlines this roster with 117 international caps and 39 goals. Those are fourth and fifth-most in Demark's National Team history. Martin Braithwaite (Espanyol) and Kasper Dolberg (Sevilla) will join Eriksen on the attack in this year's World Cup. Captain Simon KjÃ¦r (Milan) will fortify the defense, and he's directly in front of Eriksen on the all-time rankings with 121 international competitions. Kasper Schmeichel (Nice), 35, will do the goalkeeping, and he will compete in his second World Cup.

Tunisia (+30000 Outright Winner | +1600 To Win Group D)

Tunisia, similar to Denmark, will make its sixth appearance in the World Cup. However, they haven't succeeded on the world stage as they've exited in the group stage all five times. As a matter of fact, Tunisia is just 2-4-9 in World Cup matches.

Youssef Msakni (Al-Arabi) will wear the captain's band for Tunisia and lead the offense alongside Wahbi Khazri (Montpellier). The duo of forwards has a combined 158 caps on the international stage. Ferjani Sassi (Al-Duhail) adds another 77 matches of experience, and he'll play in the midfield with SaÃ®f-Eddine Khaoui (Clermont). They've combined for 10 goals, while the aforementioned duo has 41 international goals.

Australia (+25000 Outright Winner | +2500 To Win Group D)

The Aussies aren't getting much respect this time as they're +400 just to qualify for the Round of 16 and 250-1 to win the tournament. This will be Australia's fifth straight appearance in the World Cup, and they've failed to make it past the group stage three consecutive times.

Starting from the backend, 30-year-old Mathew Ryan (Copenhagen) will be in net for Australia, and he's the most tenured player on the current roster (75 caps). Trent Sainsbury (Al-Wakrah) and Aziz Behich (Dundee United) will bolster the defense, while Aaron Mooy (Celtic) will lead the midfielders. Awer Mabil (CÃ¡diz) and Jamie Maclaren (Melbourne City) will handle the scoring workload on the attack. However, they've combined for just 16 goals over 54 international matches.

Best Bet For Group D: France To Be Eliminated in the Quarterfinals (+250 via DraftKings)

France received a pretty friendly draw with the group they are in, and even with a banged-up roster, they should have no issues getting through to the Round of 16. That's when the tournament will essentially start for them, and that's also when they have the potential to be exposed with their lack of depth in the midfield. While their attack is second-to-none with a quartet of great goal-scorers, it means nothing if they aren't getting quality passing from the midfield positions. I think France will be able to glide through the Round of 16 based solely on talent, but once they get matched up with another world-class team, they might be in for some struggles. Missing Paul Pogba and Nâ€™Golo KantÃ© will eventually come back to haunt the French, and they may be in for a relatively early exit this time around. Let's take France to be eliminated in the Quarter-final round.

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