Uruguay

Group A: Uruguay World Cup Betting Odds & Tips

Uruguay have often been seen as dark horses when it comes to the World Cup and they have the quality once again to suggest they can go far in the major event in Russia.

Previous tournaments may not make for the best reading for Uruguay, having failed to qualify for the 2017 Confederations Cup and only reached the last-16 stage of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, but they have shown their class in earlier years.

La Celeste finished fourth eight years ago in South Africa whilst they also achieved the same result at the 2013 Confed Cup, showing they can go far in tournaments when everything clicks into gear.

Uruguay arguably have two of the most fearsome forwards in the world in the shape of Barcelona’s Luis Suarez and Paris Saint-Germain’s Edinson Cavani, who have scored 89 international goals between them.

The duo are also in fantastic goalscoring form on the domestic stage this season with Suarez netting 13 La Liga goals whilst Cavani has 19 Ligue 1 goals from as many matches.

Head coach Oscar Tabarez also has options to call upon in the attacking department, with Hull City’s Abel Hernandez and Malaga’s Diego Rolan both capable of producing on the biggest stage.

Uruguay managed to come through a difficult qualifying campaign, finishing second behind near-perfect Brazil, and they are 2.10 favourites to top Group A.

The major question mark regarding La Celeste’s credentials is the defensive qualities of the squad and they showed frailties in qualifying, conceding 20 goals – the highest out of the top-four teams.

Atletico Madrid pair Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez will be hoping to shut up shop at the back and the understanding they have at club level could turn out to be massive on the international stage.

Uruguay certainly have world-class players in their squad and, on their day, are capable of beating anyone and odds of 26.00 to win the World Cup may provide some value.

Tabarez’s men begin with a tough clash against Egypt at Central Stadium in Yekaterinburg on June 15 before taking on Saudi Arabia and tournament hosts Russia.