France heavy favourites to top Group E

France heavy favourites to top Group E

By Charlie Rowing Apr 15, 2014

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France are the heavy favourites to qualify from Group E with Switzerland, Ecuador and Honduras expected to battle it out for the other qualification place. Read this 2014 World Cup Group E betting preview for an insight into the group dynamics.

France: Which France will turn up?

Fifa Ranking: 19th

Best Finish: Winners (1998)

Overall Miles to travel: 2,184^

Odds to win 2014 World Cup: 22.000*

At the last four World Cups, France have either reached the final (1998, 2006) or failed to win a game (2002, 2010).

Their inconsistency remained throughout qualifying, as they had to overcome a 2-0 1st leg deficit in the play-offs, beating Ukraine with an impressive 3-0 home win – becoming the first European side ever to overturn a two-goal deficit in the play-offs.

During qualifying the French team failed to score in 30% of their matches – 3rd highest of the teams who qualified – however from winning positions the French were clinical winning 100% of games they took the lead in.

French boss Didier Deschamps has been in charge since 2012 and will be looking to marshal his players to a World Cup win as coach, to match his victory as captain at the 1998 World Cup.

Interestingly their previous two performances in South America resulted in the French exiting at the group stages (Uruguay 1930 and Argentina 1978). This appears to be a trend with the French only reaching the knockout stages once outside of Europe – Mexico 1986.

Despite these Jekyll and Hyde performances France remain the 1.328* favourites to progress from Group E.  Bettors must decide which French team will arrive in Brazil; this will sway your decision on whether or not to back them to qualify from this relatively easy group?

France’s record against Group E opponents

H-to-H Record

Win

Loss

Draw

Win %

Ecuador

1

0

0

100%

Honduras

0

0

0

0%

Switzerland

4

3

3

40%

Switzerland: Is it too early for youth?

Fifa Ranking: 8th

Best Finish: Quarter-finals (1934, 1938 & 1954)

Overall Miles to travel: 2,281^

Odds to win 2014 World Cup: 86.000*

Switzerland’s place among the seeds for the tournament caused heated debate but whether you believe the seeding system to be a fair reflection of the international landscape or not, the Swiss are a tough side to beat,.

The Swiss can be backed at 1.746* to qualify for the knockout stages after a successful qualifying campaign which saw them secure their place in Brazil with a game to spare for the first time in their history – finishing unbeaten and keeping clean sheets in seven of their 10 matches.

Their 64-year-old German manager Ottmar Hitzfeld has filled the team with youth since their failure to qualify for Euro 2012. Lambasted for playing dull football, the Swiss have turned to youth, who have excelled in recent times – winning the U17 World Cup in 2007 and reaching the final at the 2011 European U21 Championship.

They are defensively solid – keeping a record nine clean sheets in 15 matches – which included a 1-0, win over hosts Brazil in August 2013. However one area the team may struggle is in front of goal, which is highlighted by defender Fabian Schar scoring the most goals in qualifying (3).

Can the young Swiss team cause an upset at the World Cup or will 2014 be a couple of years too early?

Switzerland’s record against Group E opponents

H-to-H Record

Win

Loss

Draw

Win %

Ecuador

0

0

0

0%

Honduras

0

0

1

0%

France

3

4

3

30%

Ecuador: Form away from Quito an issue

Fifa Ranking: 23rd

Best Finish: Last 16 (2006)

Overall Miles to travel: 1,092^

Odds to win 2014 World Cup: 86.000*

Ecuador are offered at 2.110* to qualify for the knockout stages of the 2014 World Cup. They are full of attacking talent but lack any top-class defenders. At home they are extremely strong – they play games in Quito where altitude provides a strong home field advantage – however on the road they are a different outfit – failing to win a single away qualifier.

They looked to qualify with ease after 10 matches but won just one of their last six matches, only scraping through in their penultimate game. Colombian manager, Reinaldo Rueda – who guided Honduras to the 2010 World Cup – will be hoping to conduct their passage out of the group stage.

Bettors will be interested to know that Ecuador scored the second lowest goals per match in qualifying (1.25) yet conceded the third highest goals per game (1). Their poor form away from their home ground will be a major concern to bettors thinking of backing the Ecuadorians to qualify out of Group E, after all if it wasn’t for their home form they wouldn’t have qualified.

Ecuador’s record against Group E opponents

H-to-H Record

Win

Loss

Draw

Win %

France

0

1

0

0%

Honduras

2

1

3

33%

Switzerland

0

0

0

0%

Honduras: Lack of quality could hinder outsiders

Fifa Ranking: 41st

Best Finish: Group stage (1982 & 2010)

Overall Miles to travel: 2,041^

Odds to win 2014 World Cup: N/A

Honduras have now qualified for back-to-back World Cups for the first time in their history but it would be extremely unlikely if they avoided a third early exit. Odds of 5.410* suggest they have a chance but their lack of quality players ensure they are outsiders of the quartet.

Honduras qualified for the World Cup after finishing third in the final round of qualifying despite keeping just two clean sheets in 10 games – they also failed to score in 38% of games – the highest percentage from the nations who qualified.

In their two previous appearances at the World Cup (1982 and 2010) they failed to win a game with three defeats and three draws. They failed to score in South Africa, but were not disgraced in defeats to Spain and Chile and played well in a 0-0 draw with their Group E opponents Switzerland.

Their lack of ability is made clear when looking at their main strike threat – Carlos Costly. The 31-year-old will likely start as the lone striker and currently ply’s his trade with Guizhou Zicheng in the Chinese second division.

With this said, their lack of technical ability could be partly compensated by their familiarity with the hot and humid conditions expected in parts of Brazil. Could they spring a huge surprise and qualify for the World Cup knockout stages?

Honduras ‘record against Group E opponents

H-to-H Record

Win

Loss

Draw

Win %

Ecuador

1

2

3

17%

Switzerland

0

0

1

0%

France

0

0

0

0%

^ This is the overall number of miles each nation will travel during the group stages from their selected base camp.

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*Odds subject to change

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