How Football Injuries Can Alter Betting on the World Cup in Brazil

Injuries may prevent some players from participating in the World Cup, but they will also lead to disappointment for the punters.

World Cup is kicking off tomorrow in Sao Paolo, and while some teams are fully prepared to battle it out for football supremacy, other squads are having headaches over players’ injuries. In some cases injured players have already been substituted, while other coaches decided to take their “fallen heroes” to Brazil hoping for speedy recoveries.

How injuries will affect betting on the World Cup

• Some of the teams have key players recovering from injuries

• This could greatly impact the betting odds at online sportsbooks in Brazil

• Cristiano Ronaldo is the biggest star with concerns over injury

We can understand the majority of managers not wishing to forego the chance that their star players will recover in time and participate in the games. Injuries will certainly play an important role in betting on the World Cup at online sportsbooks in Brazil.

Luckily, the hosts Brazil have come to the opening day without major injuries, except a slight problem with Neymar, who nonetheless is said to be fit for tomorrow’s game. The Selecao are of course the favorites to win the home World Cup with 4.00 odds at Bovada.

Let’s take a closer look at the teams whose bill of health is not so clean, which can prevent punters betting on them under Brazilian gambling laws from winning.

Portugal

Perhaps the biggest disappointment the World Cup may experience players-wise is the possible absence of Cristiano Ronaldo. Real Madrid star has been struck by leg injuries throughout this season, and they have prevented CR7 from partaking in the most recent friendlies against Mexico and Greece.

Ronaldo has made his way to Brazil confirming hopes he will be ready to play even at group stage. He is currently third in line to win the Golden Boot with 15.00 odds for those who bet on sports in Brazil . However, should he miss some matches his chances at becoming the top goalscorer would be seriously compromised, disappointing millions of punters, who wagered on him. CR7 is also the favorite to score the most goals for Portugal with 1.40 odds, whereas the closest teammate, Helder Postiga, had to settle for much longer line of 8.00 to beat Ronaldo to it.

Italy

The Azzurri are facing a rather sudden injury problem after Riccardo Montolivo, AC Milan captain, broke his leg while playing in a friendly against Ireland last week. Complicating things for Italy further is the injury suffered by midfielder Daniele De Rossi, apparently received in training. De Rossi is back to practicing with the team, but it’s still a question if he will be fit for the first group match. Italy are 2.62 favorites to win their Group of Death.

England

The Three Lions are another participant of Group D, aptly dubbed the Group of Death, with Italy, Uruguay, and Costa Rica in it. Roy Hodgson problems are circling around Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, who collected a knee injury during a friendly against Ecuador. His absence from group stage is still being debated, but it could seriously undermine England’s 1.57 odds of advancing to the last 16, not to mention Chamberlain’s own odds of 17.00 to become Arsenal’s topscorer.

Germany

Die Manschaft are third in line after Brazil and Argentina to lift the trophy in Rio with 7.00 odds from Betway. But just like a number of other European teams they are now concerned over Marco Reus well-being. The midfielder injured his ankle in a friendly with Armenia and it’s now completely uncertain if he will help Germany at already complicated group stage. Germany are 1.61 favorites to win their group ahead of Portugal, USA, and Ghana.

Uruguay

Home fans and supporters around the world were shocked to learn that Luis Suarez went under knife in a knee surgery a couple of weeks ago. This has certainly put Uruguay in a pickle, currently second behind Italy to win the group with 2.75 odds, well ahead of England. But according to the latest reports, Suarez will be fit and may even play during the group stage, which will certainly help his odds of 21.00 to win the Golden Boot. His participation in the England – Uruguay match is especially interesting, considering he will be facing lots of players from Premier League, including his very own Liverpool teammates.