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The FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar is rapidly approaching and France is looking to defend its crown despite history not being on its side. Only two teams in the history of the World Cup have won the tournament consecutive times: Italy in 1934 and 1938, and Brazil in 1958 and 1962. Plus, four out of the last five World Cup champions have been eliminated in the group stage at the next tournament. The French enter the tournament as a 13-2 favorite in the latest 2022 World Cup odds, but will history repeat itself? Is it worth the risk for France to be one of your 2022 World Cup picks?
Brazil (4-1) and Argentia (11-2) are the favorites ahead of France in the latest World Cup 2022 odds from Caesars Sportsbook, with England and Spain listed next at 15-2. Notable longshots including USA and Mexico, both listed at 100-1, and host country Qatar listed at a whopping 300-1. Before locking in any 2022 FIFA World Cup picks, you need to see what SportsLine’s soccer insider Brandt Sutton has to say.
Sutton, a former collegiate soccer player, has been SportsLine’s top soccer editor for more than five years. He has followed soccer closely for much longer and factors in managerial tactics, projected lineups and past performances to make the most-informed decisions possible, keeping his finger on the pulse of the game all over the globe.
Sutton also has been on a roll with his best bets, going 148-112-1 over his last 261 soccer picks this year, returning more than $2,300 for $100 bettors.
Now, Sutton has analyzed the 2022 World Cup bracket from every angle and revealed his top picks, predictions and knockout bracket. You can head to SportsLine now to see Sutton’s 2022 FIFA World Cup picks — and while you’re at it, sign up for our new newsletter covering the beautiful game in all its glory, including daily updates about the World Cup, here.
Top FIFA World Cup 2022 predictions
Sutton is fading France, even though the defending champions are among the favorites at 13-2. This isn’t to say the French side isn’t loaded with firepower — they have Kylian Mbappe, Karim Benzema and Antoine Griezmann leading one of the most potent offenses in the entire tournament. This team won’t have the same help at midfield as they did in 2018, however, with Paul Pogba missing out this year because of a knee injury. The expert believes the absence of Pogba and fellow midfielder N’Golo Kante will expose cracks in France’s game.
Sutton also notes that the French side has stumbled in their matches leading up to the World Cup, which could spell disaster in the group stage.
“Denmark beat France twice in the UEFA Nations League, and the Danes will look to make it three straight in the group stage at the World Cup,” Sutton told SportsLine. “Even if France is able to top Group D, they’ll likely have a tough road to the final, potentially facing England in the quarterfinals.”
Another surprise: Sutton expects Belgium to make a deep run in the 2022 World Cup bracket, even though they’re 16-1 longshots in the 2022 World Cup odds. The expert believes this club has a much more talented roster than sportsbooks are giving them credit for, and have a surefire chance at fighting for the crown.
One superstar who will garner a lot of attention is Romelu Lukaku, who has been dealing with a hamstring injury while competing for Inter Milan this season. But while the superstar striker has been limited to just five matches for the Italian Serie A club this season, he has scored two goals during that span. Lukaku also had an MRI on Monday that showed his condition is improving, which is a good sign for a Belgian side looking to make a deep run.
“Manager Roberto Martinez said he hopes Lukaku will feature in the group stage, but plans to have him available for the knockout rounds should Belgium make it that far,” Sutton told SportsLine. See Sutton’s other 2022 World Cup picks at SportsLine.
How to make 2022 World Cup picks
Sutton has locked in his best bets to win the 2022 World Cup, along with his top futures plays and his full knockout bracket prediction. He’s revealed how far the USMNT, Brazil and Spain will advance in Qatar. He’s also high on a dark horse team that “has a shot at being this year’s Croatia, who surprisingly made the World Cup final in 2018.” You can only see them here.
So who will win the World Cup 2022? And which longshot could stun the soccer world? Check out the odds below and then visit SportsLine to see Brandt Sutton’s best bets for the 2022 World Cup, all from the proven expert who is more than $2,300 on his soccer picks in 2022, and find out.
2022 FIFA World Cup odds
Brazil +400Argentina +550France +650England +750Spain +750Germany +1000Netherlands +1400Portugal +1400Belgium +1600Denmark +3000Croatia +5000Uruguay +5000Serbia +7000Mexico +10000USA +10000Poland +10000Senegal +10000Switzerland +10000Wales +12500Ghana +15000Canada +15000Ecuador +15000Morocco +20000Cameroon +25000Japan +25000South Korea +25000Tunisia +30000Qatar +30000Australia +40000Costa Rica +50000Iran +50000Saudi Arabia +50000
2022 World Cup groups
Group AQatarEcuador Senegal Netherlands
Group BEnglandIran USA Wales
Group CArgentina Saudi Arabia Mexico Poland
Group DFrance AustraliaDenmark Tunisia
Group ESpain Costa RicaGermany Japan
Group FBelgium CanadaMorocco Croatia
Group GBrazil Serbia Switzerland Cameroon
Group HPortugal GhanaUruguay Korea Republic