Pandora Hughes
Group H is one of the most competitive sections in the World Cup, but bettors should consider taking a chance on Uruguay to qualify on top.
Who do Bettors Favor?
According to the best-rated online sportsbooks there is a clear favorite in this World Cup Group. Former European Champions Portugal are favored by bettors to top the section and can be backed at -160. Their closest challengers appear to be Uruguay, who are priced around the +200 mark while Ghana and South Korea are both regarded as underdogs.
| World Group H Winner |  |  |
| Portugal | -155 | -165 |
| Uruguay | +204 | +200 |
| Ghana | +1100 | +1200 |
| South Korea | +1150 | +1200 |
Betting on the World Cup Group H
This year’s renewal of the World Cup is unusual in that it is being staged in November, in order to avoid the inhospitable conditions associated with Qatar at the height of summer. The heat and humidity, however, will still be significant and a key factor throughout the tournament, but particularly in the Group stages, for which some teams will have only a week or so to prepare.
When you’re betting on the Group stage in this year’s competition, you should also be aware that it is not necessary for a team to win the Group in order to get through to the next round. Although in theory, topping the section will give you a better match-up in the knockout stages, it doesn’t always work like that, and sometimes the more favorable knock-out fixtures will be produced by finishing second.
Ronaldo’s Final Fling
Even in a Group that features a number of high-quality strikers, Cristiano Ronaldo stands out. Ronaldo will be playing at his fifth World Cup and has the chance to make history as the first player ever to score at five Finals tournaments. The World Cup is the one trophy that he has yet to lift and he will be as competitive as ever in his pursuit of victory, in what is likely to be his final World Cup fling.
Portugal are far from a one-man team, however. The squad will feature an array of attacking talent in Joao Felix, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva and Diogo Jota, along with solid international defenders Ruben Dias, Diogo Dalot and Joao Cancelo. Still, this is a competitive Group, one of the most open in the tournament and while Portugal are justifiably favorite, they are too short a price in the winners’ market.
Last Chance for Uruguay Stars
In Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, Uruguay has two of the most dominant strikers of the last 20 years, and, like Ronaldo, this could be the last chance for both of them to write their names in World Cup history. But, as with Portugal, the veteran stars will have some support from a younger cast of emerging talents, including Rodrigo Bentancur, Diego Rossi and Darwin Nunez. That familiar stubborn Uruguay defense is also still in place. Both Diego Godin and Jose Maria Gimenez are expected to be fit for the tournament, and they should lead a formidable back line.
As ever, there is some risk attached to wagering on Uruguay. They have looked good under new coach Diego Alonso, winning their last four CONMEBOL qualifying games to reach the World Cup. Prior to his appointment, however, the same group of players had lost all four qualifying games against the big two of Argentina and Brazil, and since then, have only played against lower ranked teams. Uruguay are often a tough team to weigh up and tend to be all or nothing, but their Group winning odds are big enough to offer compensation here.
Ghana May Struggle
Ghana have had a tough time in recent World Cups. They missed out on the knockout stages in 2010 when Asamoah Gyan missed a last-minute penalty against Group opponents Uruguay and despite holding eventual winners Germany to a draw departed at the first stage in 2014.
The Black Stars replaced their head coach after AFCON 2021 and under Otto Addo have successfully completed their World Cup qualification with a two-leg win over Nigeria. Their other results, however, have been less impressive, particularly away from home. In fact, they’ve only won two of their nine matches under Addo, and with a relatively weak squad, they may struggle in this tough Group.
South Korea can Surprise
In 2018, South Korea produce major shock, beating Germany in their final Group game, and this time round they look a good bet to record another surprise outcome.
Based on rankings, they will be competing with Ghana for third spot in the Group, but unlike their African rivals, South Korea have a genuine international star in captain and main striker Son Heung-min. The Tottenham forward has an impressive scoring rate for the international team.
South Korea finished in second place in their AFC qualifying Group and are one of the most settled squads at the tournament, under manager Paulo Bento, who was appointed in 2018. With a potential matchwinner in Son Heung-min, I expect them to surprise a few people in Qatar.
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