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2022 World Cup Group F: Preview, Odds, Picks & Betting Guide

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With the World Cup right around the corner, we’re taking a look at each of the eight groups, discussing who is favored, who should advance out of the group stage, who could be a Cinderella story, and what players to look out for. Today, we’re discussing Group F.

While World No. 2 Belgium seems like an obvious favorite, Group F is one of the more difficult groups to predict a winner from according to sportsbooks. On DraftKings Sportsbook, Belgium has the sixth-shortest odds (-190) of any favorite of a Group. Also in this group are Croatia (+200), Morocco (+850), and Canada (+1000).

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Can Anyone Stop Belgium?

FanDuel Sportsbook has less favorable odds for Belgium, as they are just -150 to win the group and -700 to advance. On DraftKings, they are -750. These numbers still make them the favorite, but where you bet will determine the price you have to pay to receive a fruitful payday.

Belgium is still loaded with talent after making a run to the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup. They are younger than Croatia, who finished as the runner-up that year, and they have more experience than teams like Morocco and Canada. Betting Belgium to advance is a lock, but the price is hefty. For the best bet, take them to win Group F.

Best Bet: Belgium to win Group F (-150)

Who Else Will Advance?

Determining who will join Belgium is where Group F gets fun. Croatia was a surprise winner of Group D in 2018, taking down Argentina in the process. The group victory placed them on the favorable side of the bracket, where they were able to advance in penalty kicks over Denmark and Russia, before taking down England in extra time.

That success has Croatia as a popular upset pick to win the group and as the clear favorite to join Belgium in the Knockout Stage. However, there are always surprises as the World Cup, and Group F feels like the likely place where a shocker may happen.

After a representative from Africa made the Knockout Stage of the World Cup at every tournament from 1986 through 2014, none were successful in 2018. Senegal is well-positioned to get the African nations back into the Knockout Stage, but Morocco is also a dark horse pick.

After just a one-point showing in 2018, Morocco could shock everyone, especially if they can tie or defeat Croatia in their first game of the tournament. 

Best Bet: Morocco to Advance (+200)

Do Not Count Out Canada

Canada is ranked No. 41 in the world in the FIFA rankings, but they finished first in CONCACAF qualifying. During qualifying, they knocked off both No. 13 Mexico and No. 16 USA.

Belgium may be out of their class, but Canada should be able to match up with both Morocco and Croatia and possibly pull off a big upset that sets them up for a surprise trip to the Knockout Stage.

One scheduling note, Canada plays Belgium in the first game of the Group stage. If they win, they will almost undoubtedly make it to the Knockout Stage. Of course, the odds of Canada winning are not much. However, with a loss, the Canadians will see their current +270 odds to advance increase well above +300, especially if they lose handily. That would be the best time to bet on them to advance.

Is the Golden Boot Winner in Group F?

Harry Kane won the Golden Boot in 2018, scoring six goals in England’s fourth-place finish. Yet, Belgium’s duo of Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard was the third-highest-scoring pair in the tournament, behind only Kane and John Stones from England and Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe from France.

Lukaku finished with four goals and Hazard finished with three. Now, the goal is to figure out which of them will finish with more this time around. 

Belgium is all but locked into the Knockout Stage, so they will play at least four games. Additionally, the scheduling works in favor of them scoring throughout the Group Stage, as they play their easiest matchup first, then they end the stage with Croatia who is expected to be their biggest competition.

As for who we’re going with, we will take Lukaku, who is younger and already the leading scorer in Belgian national team history. He’s listed as a long shot, but as someone tied for the second-most goals in 2018, it is definitely worth picking him to win the Golden Boot.

Best Bet: Romelo Lukaku (+2200)

Predicted Order of Finish

Group F is one of the toughest groups to predict because of the depth of the field and the unknown of Croatia after their runner-up finish in 2018. Here is what we believe is most likely to happen.

  1. Belgium – 9 points
  2. Morocco – 4 points
  3. Croatia – 4 points
  4. Canada – 0 points

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Phil Wood is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Phil, check out his archive and follow him @Phil_Wood_Jr.