World Cup group favourites all qualify for last 16 at 3/1

World Cup fever is sweeping the globe. It all gets underway this week punters and, to celebrate Coral’s World Cup countdown almost coming to a close, odds of 3/1 on all the eight group favourites reaching the knockout phase are available today.

Tournament favourites Brazil are massively odds-on at 1/25 to make it out of Group A, which also contains Cameroon, Croatia and Mexico. Phil Scolari’s Samba Boys have won nine matches in a row since Dani Alves’ own goal gave Switzerland a shock victory in the first outing after brushing aside all-comers at the Confederations Cup.

Holders Spain are 2/11 to make it through Group B, where they will face the Netherlands, Chile and Australia. Vicente del Bosque has the beating of the former two nations after winning against them en route to picking up the World Cup crown in South Africa four years ago.

Colombia may be without Radamel Falcao, but still have a plethora of attacking options that Group C opponents Greece, the Ivory Coast and Japan will find too hot to handle. That fact is reinforced by their individual price of 1/4 on them making it out of this pool.

Italy are four-time World Cup winners, more than main Group D challengers England and Uruguay have between them. Costa Rica complete this pool, but they are rank outsiders. The Azzurri are 4/11 to qualify for the last 16.

France warmed up for the Brazil finals by battering Jamaica 8-0. They are worthy favourites in Group E, as Didier Deschamps has opted to leave players with big egos like Samir Nasri behind in favour of instilling team spirit. There is little for Les Bleus to worry about when they face Switzerland, Honduras and Ecuador, so they are 1/5 to come through this pool.

Argentina are the tournament’s second-favourites. Like hosts Brazil, they are 1/25 to advance from their pool, Group F, which also features first-time qualifiers Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iran and Nigeria. Lionel Messi and company should run riot in those matches.

Germany put together a ruthless second half display to beat Armenia 6-1 in their final warm-up match. Group G opponents Portgual, the USA and Ghana will be sterner opposition, though, but Joachim Low’s lads are 1/6 to qualify for the knockout phase.

Belgium complete the favourites from the eight pools. Marc Wilmnots’ men are 1/5 to get out of Group H, which pits them against Algeria, Russia and South Korea.

Check back tomorrow for Coral’s penultimate World Cup countdown special.