2022 World Cup Highest Scoring Group Odds: Group E the favourite for gluttony of goals
A World Cup like no other is now tantalisingly close, and there are a myriad of special betting markets revolving around the action set to take Qatar by storm throughout November and December.
As usual, bet365 are leading the way with their variety of markets and the bookmaker are offering odds on which Group will end up as the highest scoring. We've taken a look at the odds and assessed the chances of Groups A-H seeing the most goals...
Group A - Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, Netherlands - 6/1
Host nation Qatar will kick off the tournament as is the tradition with a game against Ecuador, before the next day Senegal and the Netherlands clash.
The Netherlands are 8/15 best price to top this group and if all games go to form they shouldn't have too much trouble in picking up at least two wins.
With this market, however, you are probably looking for a group with two strong sides and two weaker ones in which we could see some big scores racked up.
Unless The Netherlands really go goal crazy (something which would perplex Man United fans considering they are managed by Louis van Gaal) Group A doesn't look a great selection to be the group with most goals.
Group B - England, Iran, USA, Wales - 11/2
The second game of the tournament will see England begin their quest for a first World Cup since 1966 with a game against Group outsiders Iran.
The Three Lions are 1/2 to top this group while the Iranians are all the way out at 20/1. Of all the games in the group this opening fixture looks to be the one most ripe for a pummelling, however with Gareth Southgate's penchant for caution it would not be a surprise to see England grind their way through this group rather than blowing teams away.
The games against Wales and the USA could be seen as grudge matches and don't look the most appealing for copious goals, and so despite the wealth of attacking talent available particular for England, including Golden Boot Odds favourite Harry Kane, Group B is another best left alone in this market.
Group C - Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland - 5/1
A group containing Lionel Messi can of course never be discounted in terms of the highest scoring group at any World Cup, and Group C also has Polish superstar Robert Lewandowski thrown in for good measure.
These two global icons of goal-scoring probably make it worthwhile taking a punt on Group C to be the top scorers at Qatar 2022 regardless of the opponents, but the presence of Saudi Arabia as potential group whipping boys makes the 5/1 seem even more appetising.
The Saudis are one of the longest odds to win any group at 33/1 and their defenders could be shell-shocked when confronted with the elite talent of the Argentina team, spearheaded of course by Messi at his (probable) last World Cup.
Lewandowski is also surely competing at his last international tournament and both will be desperate to rack up the goals in the group to further enhance their legacy. Mexico are no mugs either and could plunder the Saudi defence themselves so this price is certainly the most interesting of the groups assessed so far.
Group D - France, Australia, Denmark, Tunisia - 11/2
Defending champions France look fairly certain to make it through this group and if results go to form they will be joined by fellow European challengers Denmark.
The French squad and particularly their depth is often the subject of marvel from envious fans of other nations, and the 2022 cohort should prove no exception. With Kylian Mbappe's unworldly speed and the recent Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema in tandem in attack there is no doubting the French have the firepower to hit any team for six on their day.
The trouble with backing this group to be the highest scoring is that the other three sides are not well known for their goal-scoring prowess and outsider Tunisia would be elated with three 0-0 draws. They are notoriously defensive and with this in mind it may be worth looking away from Group D when assessing this market.
Group E - Spain, Germany, Costa Rica, Japan - 10/3 (Fav)
As previously mentioned, the logical place to start when attempting to choose the highest scoring group is to find the perceived 'Group Of Death' in which there are at least two juggernauts that could swat aside the two luckless sides drawn with them.
Spain and Germany, World Champions in 2010 and 2014 respectively, certainly fit into the juggernaut category and the delegates of Costa Rica and Japan must've been wondering which ladders they'd walked beneath when drawn in this group.
It'll be a massive shock if the big two do not qualify for the knock-out rounds and both will know goal difference could be crucial in the battle for top spot in Group E, so this foursome is undoubtedly the right favourite for this betting market.
10/3 looks a fair price for this group to see more goals than any other and we couldn't put anyone off siding with the favourite here.
Group F - Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia - 7/1
Unlike the previous group in which there is a clear hierarchy, Group F looks to be one of the most evenly matched.
Belgium are favourites to win the group at 13/20 best price and with one of the most prolific international strikers of his generation in Romelu Lukaku leading a talented squad it is easy to see why. Lukaku has a reputation as a flat track bully and he could find some joy particularly in the games against Canada and Morocco in Qatar, however his fitness has to be questioned after his lack of game time for Inter this season.
The Belgians are no strangers to big group stage wins at international tournaments but the other three sides will fancy their chances of beating each other and this could lead to some cagey affairs.
With this in mind we feel Group F is another to leave alone in this market, unless you are seriously strong on the Belgians clocking up big scores in all three matches.
Group G - Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon - 7/1
Tournament favourites Brazil are of course synonymous with flair, smiles and goals.
The 2022 edition of A Seleção, however, is a much more steely outfit than those of yesteryear and it would be a brave bettor who would be backing them to rack up three big scores in this group. Tite has a serious batch of attacking talent to choose from when it comes to his best eleven, with Premier League stars like Richarlison, Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus competing for a spot up top with global superstars in Neymar and Vinicius JR.
Of course there is more than enough in the Brazil squad for them to make it through the group with a perfect record, but with Tite's pragmatism they may take their foot off the gas once in front.
Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon will all realistically be fighting it out for second place and this will make goals crucial in clashes between the trio. They possess plenty of attacking talents themselves, none more so than Mitrovic for Serbia, but other groups appeal more in this market.
Group H - Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, S. Korea - 8/1
The final group of Qatar 2022 features two sides as the favourites in Portugal and Uruguay who have built any recent success on keeping things tight at the back.
Portugal are slight favourites to win the group and will of course rely on the leading international goal-scorer of all time in men's football Cristiano Ronaldo for inspiration. He has looked a shadow of his former self this campaign for Manchester United and his club team mate Bruno Fernandez's goals have dried up as well. With Diogo Jota injured it would not be a surprise to see Portugal revert to type and attempt to 1-0 their way through this group, not something we want when backing a group to be the highest scoring.
Uruguay's star striker for the past generation is on a similar trajectory to Ronaldo in Luis Suarez and the South Americans could attempt to play the same spoiling tactics as Portugal as their most efficient route to glory.
This group is the outsider of eight to be the highest scoring and after assessing the contenders, it's easy to see why.
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World Cup 2022 Odds
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