Five Dark Horses in the World Cup 2022 Odds

Here at BettingOdds.com we’ve already dissected the favourites for World Cup glory, featuring the likes of Brazil, Argentina, France and…whisper it quietly…England. Now we switch our focus to five dark horses looking to stamp their mark in Qatar…

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Denmark: 33/1

Denmark are led by an inspirational and tactically flexible manager, Kasper Hjulmand, who orchestrates an organised, cohesive, and close knit-group that possesses a sprinkling of individual panache in star man Christian Eriksen.

No country will enjoy facing the Danes, who are 33/1 in the outright winner odds with SBK.

Denmark reached the Euro 2020 semi-finals and won nine of their 10 matches during a dominant qualification campaign. They certainly won’t fear France in the group stages, having toppled the defending champions twice already in 2022, while they’ll be expected to pick up wins against Tunisia and Australia.

Topping the group could see Denmark face Poland or Mexico in the last-16. Win that and a revenge mission against England could be on the cards in the quarters. Spicy.

• Denmark @ 11/4 to win Group D with Betfred
• Betfred Offer: Get £60 in bonuses when you stake £10

Uruguay: 50/1

The two-time winners will venture into the World Cup without Oscar Tabarez at the helm. In his place is Diego Alonso, who has a combination of ageing stars - Luis Suarez & Edinson Cavani - and rising stars - Darwin Nunez & Federico Valverde - nestled within his squad.

Finishing top of a testing group containing Portugal could prove crucial in how far Uruguay can go in Qatar. Should, as expected La Celeste make the knockout stages, they could well prove a severe thorn in the side to many countries.

Expect a controversial incident, or two, from the South American country who are 50/1 to win World Cup (each-way) with bet365.

• Darwin Nunez @ 66/1 for top goalscorer with Bet Victor
• Uruguay @ 2/1 with to win Group H with Betfred

Croatia: 59/1

Never, ever, rule out Croatia who are 59/1 with SBK in the outright winner odds.

Finalists four years ago in Russia and third back in 1998, this country has enjoyed some memorable World Cup journeys. 

Croatia proved their impressive voyage to the Final was no one-off as they swatted away France and Denmark in their Nations League group to finish 1st and progress through to the finals next year.

World Class veteran Luka Modric is still pulling the strings, supplemented by the Premier League duo of Mateo Kovačić and Ivan Perišić, plus a cluster of talented young guns including centre-back Josko Gvardiol.

• Croatia @ 5/2 to win Group F with William Hill
• Luca Modric @ 70/1 for most assists with Grosvenor

Switzerland: 100/1

Plopped in a difficult group containing favourites Brazil - who they drew with at the last World Cup - Switzerland are likely to battle it out with Serbia and Cameroon for second spot in Group G. 

Should they progress through to the last-16, then they’ll be a stern test for anyone, just ask France who held a 3-1 lead with 15 minutes remaining of their Euro 2020 last-16 duel, only for the spirited Swiss to fight back and win on penalties. Despite having 10 men they nearly made the semis too, but bowed out on penalties to Spain.

Defensively solid Switzerland impressively finished unbeaten and top of their World Cup qualifying group ahead of European champs Italy, then recorded back-to-back wins over Spain and Portugal in the Nations League.

The Swiss can be backed at a three-figure price of 100/1 with bet365.

• ​​Switzerland @ 1/1 to qualify from Group G with BetVictor

Senegal: 125/1

There are obvious concerns over the fitness Sadio Mane, who injured his fibula in Bayern’s penultimate game before the break.

Yes, he’s the country’s star man, yet also nestled in the Senegalese squad are Kalidou Koulibaly, Édouard Mendy, Ismaïla Sarr and others; emphasising the point that they are certainly no one trick pony.

Senegal are the African champions and the continent’s best hope of striking gold, albeit out at 125/1 in the betting with Betfred. 

The Lions of Teranga don’t give the opposition many goals - their defence was breached just twice en route to winning AFCON 2021 - and they will be expected to tussle with the Netherlands for Group A supremacy. This could give them a winnable last-16 tie against USA/Wales/Iran - providing England don’t flop - and from then on it's anyone's game.

• Senegal @ 9/2 to win Group A with Bet Victor