Russia begins the 2014 World Cup playing in Group H along with Belgium, Algeria and South Korea. Russia is not expected to win the group as Belgium is the favorite but Russia does have a good chance to finish second and make it to the round of 16. Let’s look at Russia’s squad and their odds to win Group H.
Russia is the second choice in the betting to win Group H with 2014 World Cup odds of about 2-1 at BetPhoenix sportsbook.
Russia is a very good defensive team that struggles to score goals. Their leading goal scorer in qualifying was Aleksandr Kerzhakov who had five goals. Their playmaker is Alan Dzagoev but he hasn’t really played well in the past couple of years. What Russia does have is goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev who rarely makes a mistake. Russia allowed only five goals in 10 qualifying matches.
Russia is managed by former England coach Fabio Capello. He has not been afraid to make moves as he dropped Andrey Arshavin and Pavel Pogrebnyak from the team. Capello has the team playing a 4-2-3-1 system instead of their previous 4-3-3 system.
Going back into history we find that Russia, known as the USSR was a semifinalist in 1966 and quarterfinalist in 1958, 1962 and 1970. They have done very little of late as they haven’t even gotten out of the group stage.
Schedule
17 June 2014
Russia vs. South Korea, Arena Pantanal, Cuiaba
22 June 2014
Belgium vs. Russia, Estadio do Maracana, Rio de Janeiro
26 June 2014
Algeria vs. Russia, Arena da Baixada, Curitiba
Picks
Russia is a team that you will probably want to bet under the total in their three group stage matches. They can get out of the group stage if they avoid missteps against Algeria and South Korea. They probably don’t have enough to get past Belgium unless Dzagoev goes wild. They should make the round of 16 though but unless they get a favorable matchup it is hard to see them doing much more.