Ironically enough Brazil is the last team to ever repeat as World Cup Champions. They turned the trick in 1962. The relevance to now is in relation to the team they are favored with. Germany is the World Cup betting odds co-chalk with Brazil. And the Germans are trying to repeat as World Cup champions. Most observers believe that only Brazil can stop them. Switzerland is a long shot to win the tournament. And they will serve as Brazil’s first opponent. Brazil and Switzerland open Group E play. Bargain hunters consider the Swiss a quality dog.
Brazil vs. Switzerland
Date and Time: Sunday, June 17, 2018, 2 p.m. ET
Location: Rostov Arena, Rostov on Don
World Cup Betting Online Odds : Switzerland -1 ½ (-134), Brazil -1 ½ (+119), Over 2 ½ (-110), Under 2 ½ (-110), Switzerland +885, Brazil -265, Draw +400
2018 FIFA World Cup TV Coverage: Check Listings
Brazil will be gunning for their sixth ever World Cup championship. They own the most titles of any nation with five. The Germans and Italy are next with four. 2014 proved to be a major letdown when they were host team. It was disappointing that Brazil fail to win the title. Even more frustrating was that they failed to make the title game. Switzerland could prove to be a dangerous World Cup betting odds foe. FIFA has the Swiss ranked sixth overall. That serves to catch a lot of attention. If not respect. Meanwhile Brazil is ranked second.
Worrisome for Switzerland’s sportsbook prospects are the high expectations. Brazil of course will be a consistent name brand power chalk. Public money will drown out their value. But the Swiss may not get full value either. Nobody is taking them lightly anymore. Opponents will not be napping for a match vs. Switzerland. Surprise is the element needed for a good wagering price. Sadly, that factor has disappeared for the Swiss. A berth in the final 16 is considered a given. Yet gamblers know all too well about such forgone conclusions.
Xherdan Shaqiri and Steven Zuber are creative and quick. They give the Swiss a much-needed playmaking element lacking in their past. This tandem of wingers has strong support. Fullbacks Stephan Lichtsteiner and Ricardo Rodriguez free them up. Central defense is provided by Fabian Schar and Manuel Akanji. Weakness, if there is one, comes from center forward. Haris Seferovic patrols that position. Star Granit Xhaka plays professionally for Arsenal. He has nine goals and 63 caps for the Swiss.
The most important man on Brazil is not a player. Rather it is their head coach. Tite took over a mess and has quickly got the talented Brazilians to play up to capability. Among the changes Tite uses is a 4-1-4-1 alignment. Neymar is a star like few others. He has 53 goals and 83 caps for Brazil. Paulinho is a favorite of Tite. He plays professionally for Barcelona. Paulinho has 12 goals and 48 caps in his career.
Matchup to Watch
Most any other team would be a dog to Switzerland. Brazil is a World Cup betting odds favorite with good reason. Depth of skill and ability give them a big advantage here.
2018 FIFA World Cup Betting Odds Picks
Tite will have Brazil ready for a big opening win.
World Cup Betting Online Pick: Brazil
World Cup Betting Online Score Prediction: Brazil 2, Switzerland 0
Check out why Brazil can win the World Cup!
