Road to Russia: The latest World Cup 2018 odds
Published:
Germany favourites to retain crown
With just a handful of rounds of the World Cup 2018 qualifying campaign remaining, eyes are now beginning to shift towards the outright odds on who lifts the Jules Rimet trophy next summer.
Germany will be looking to retain the title they won in 2014 with an extra-time Mario Gotze goal against Argentina.
However, next summer’s showpiece looks wide open, with a number of teams in with a shot at glory.
The Coral News team examine the front-runners and potential dark horses.
The big five
Coral make Germany favourites at 9/2 to make it back-to-back wins. However, only two countries in the history of the World Cup have done so – Italy and Brazil.
Die Mannschaft are arguably still in a transitional period with a number of youngsters yet to hit their peak.
Brazil are currently second-favourites at 6/1. The Selecao look a team reborn under new coach Tite, winning ten of their 11 games since he took over.
The 15/2 on France looks very interesting. Les Bleus have a squad brimming with a mixture of vibrant youth and canny experience.
Performances in qualifying have been a little patchy, though, and worries remain over Didier Deschamps as manager.
As long as Lionel Messi is still playing, Argentina will be among the favourites. The Albiceleste should be a formidable proposition under new coach, Jorge Sampaoli, and at 9/1, they look a value bet.
2010 winners Spain are also at 9/1, but 35-year-old David Villa’s recent recall tells you all you need to know about their deficiencies in attack.
The pretenders
Roberto Martinez’s Belgium are at 14/1 and, considering the wealth of talent at his disposal, they are certainly an interesting proposition.
England and Italy are both 20/1 with Coral but it’s not likely either country will be able to mount a challenge with the current squads.
It would be foolish to rule out the Azzurri, obviously, but Gian Piero Ventura’s squad still needs work.
It’s the 25/1 on Portugal that should really prick interest, though.
The European champions have won five from six games in qualifying and will once again be lead by the irrepressible Cristiano Ronaldo.
A Selecao das Quinas are built on a solid defence, a tireless midfield and the best striker in the world.
Click here for the latest World Cup 2018 odds from Coral.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing