World Cup 2014: Belgium key to group multiple bet joy

Belgium should have no real problem getting out of Group H

With it possible to combine group winner or qualification punts on Betfair, Michael Lintorn lists four of his favoured blends...

Small-stakes punters utterly certain of several sides' ability to escape their group, but disinterested in backing them at odds-on rejoice. Betfair have a series of special double and treble opportunities on various group winner and group to qualify combos. Here are options to explore in each section...

Group Winner Double - Spain and Uruguay @ 5.04/1

The foundations of Spain's Euro 2008 and 2012 triumphs and World Cup 2010 success were laid in the group stage. They have topped their pool at their past four major tournaments and won 10 out of 12 games on the way. Uruguay won a pretty tricky quartet in South Africa when paired with the hosts, serial round-of-16 side Mexico and France, reaching the semi-finals of that competition and then winning Copa America 2011.

Group Winner Treble - Brazil, Argentina and Germany @ 2.3611/8

These three teams simply aren't to be messed with in a World Cup first round, and drawing them is the closest thing to a guarantee that you will be fighting two other nations for second. Brazil have led the standings at eight successive World Cups, Germany have secured themselves a theoretically less complex round-of-16 clash at the past six and Argentina did the business in 2006 and 2010 with five victories and a draw.

Group To Qualify Double - Switzerland and Belgium @ 2.0811/10

Switzerland and Belgium have two of the most talented young squads at the World Cup, with their prospects of a knockout-phase adventure enhanced by unintimidating draws. What Belgium lack in tournament experience, they compensate for in boasting Thibaut Courtois, Vincent Kompany, Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne, while Switzerland wriggled out of two of their past three World Cup groups and were unfortunate in the other.

Group To Qualify Treble - Netherlands, Argentina and Portugal @ 2.56/4

Netherlands and Portugal are in two of the grizzlier groups, but should be strong enough to barge their way out. Louis van Gaal's men haven't exited in the first round since 1938, progressing to the semi-finals or further on four of the past seven occasions that they attended. Portugal survived pairings with Brazil and Ivory Coast at World Cup 2010 and Germany and Netherlands at Euro 2012, so won't be frightened by Germany, Ghana or USA. Argentina are back in the fold as a safe third pick.