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

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With the World Cup right around the corner, we're taking a look at each of the eight groups, discussing who is favored, who should advance out of the Group Stage, who could pull an upset, and what players to look out for. Today, we're breaking down Group G.

Group G has an obvious favorite in World No. 1 Brazil, but then everything else is up in the air. On DraftKings Sportsbook, World No. 15 Switzerland is currently +100 to advance, while No. 21 Serbia is +130, and No. 43 Cameroon is +350.

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How Far Will Brazil Go?

The No. 1 team in the world enters the World Cup with a stacked lineup and a relatively easy path to win the Group Stage. At -300 on DraftKings, they currently have the shortest odds of any Group favorite to win. On FanDuel Sportsbook, the Brazilians are just -220, but the next best odds in their group belong to Switzerland at +490.

Brazil is going to cruise through the Group Stage just like they did in 2018. The only question is, how much further will they advance? Unfortunately for Brazil, they were done no favors being put in Group F when you look past the Group Stage. Their first matchup in the Knockout Stage will be against the runner-up from Group E, which will likely be Spain or Germany.

Brazil's stage of elimination is currently favored as the Round of 16 (+225), though their odds to win the whole tournament are +400. While Brazil is all but a lock to win this group, the real value lies in correctly picking whether they will win the tournament or determining where they will be eliminated.

Best Bet: Brazil to win the World Cup (+400)

Will Serbia or Switzerland Join Brazil?

Brazil, Switzerland, and Serbia all played in the same group in 2018. They are all about to run it back again, this time with Cameroon as the fourth team rather than Costa Rica.

Serbia is a good story after they qualified for the World Cup by winning Group A at the UEFA qualifiers and finishing ahead of Portugal. However, in 2018, the Swiss defeated Serbia 2-1 to all but lock up their birth into the Knockout Stage. With many Swiss players returning from that 2018 team, including Xhaka and Shaqiri who both scored against Serbia, the Swiss still have the advantage this time around.

These two teams won't meet until their third game of group play, and that game will likely decide who advances. Switzerland is currently favored at +150, while Serbia is +160 and a full-time tie is listed at +220. These two teams are very evenly matched, and it may be best to just wait until that game and pick the winner then for a better price than you are getting for either to advance right now.

However, if forced to pick, we're taking Switzerland.

Best Bet: Switzerland to Advance (+100)

Cameroon is Outmatched

Cameroon failed to qualify for the 2018 tournament after making it in both 2010 and 2014. Unfortunately for them, they have lost their last seven World Cup matches with their last win coming in 2002 over Saudi Arabia.

In 2014, they were ranked dead-last of all teams that played in the World Cup when the tournament was over, and in 2010, they were ranked just one spot better, finishing in 31st.

To get to this World Cup, they did take down Algeria who has been pesky in recent World Cups, even advancing to the Knockout Stage in 2014 and pushing Germany to extra time. However, this Cameroon team's reward is simply making the tournament. If you're looking for a long shot to make the Knockout Stage, look elsewhere. 

Can Neymar Win the Golden Boot After a Disappointing 2018?

Neymar currently has the fourth-shortest odds on FanDuel to win the Golden Boot at this year's World Cup, though he only managed two goals in 2018. Brazil as a whole struggled to score goals in 2018, managing just eight in five games. 

Yet in 2014, Brazil managed seven goals in the Group Stage while playing in a group with Cameroon. When they played Cameroon, Neymar scored two goals on his way to four for the tournament. 

Brazil won't get Cameroon until their last matchup of the Group Stage, which could be one of those games where they just dribble around with the top spot in Group F already lined up after wins over Switzerland and Serbia. 

Yet, even if Brazil doesn't try their hardest against Cameroon, they should find some goals. After all, this team is one that nearly everyone is expecting to make a run to the finals. If they make it that far, then Neymar absolutely is worth his current price to pick to win the Golden Boot.

Best Bet: Neymar to win Golden Boot (+1400)

Predicted Order of Finish

Group G is very obvious at the top and bottom, but the Serbia and Switzerland game to end the group is going to be one of the most exciting games of the Group Stage. Here is our predicted order of finish. 

  1. Brazil – 9 points
  2. Switzerland – 6 points
  3. Serbia – 3 points
  4. Cameroon – 0 points

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Phil Wood is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Phil, check out his archive and follow him @Phil_Wood_Jr.

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