Irish Punters Have a Surprise Pick to Win the World Cup

Irish Punters are backing Germany to win the upcoming 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Via the Irish Mirror, a list from Ladbrokes reveals the top ten most popular World Cup winner bets in Ireland.

Germany unsurprisingly top the list. Joachim Löw’s team are tipped by many to repeat their 2014 heroics and retain the World Cup. Ladbrokes has Germany as second favourites at 9/2, behind the favourites Brazil at 4/1.

The one surprising outcome on the list is that England come in as the third most popular bet. England aren’t tipped by anyone to do more than overachieve, perhaps by qualifying for the quarter or semi finals. Not even English people would have enough confidence in their national team to place a serious bet on them. It is even more strange to think that England would have any goodwill whatsoever in Ireland.

However, Irish punters seem to think that England are worth a shot.

They are seventh-favourites with Ladbrokes at 14/1. A bet on an outsider with longer odds appears to make sense. England are not so good that it would be hard to make money on them. Nor are they such minnows that they have no hope of doing anything. However, I can’t imagine many punters winning big on an England bet this Summer.

 

Related: World Cup 2018 Top Scorer Betting Guide

 

Via the Mirror, Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: “It is no surprise to see that Germany rank number one amongst Irish punters.

“More surprising, is the popularity of Gareth Southgate’s side.

“Expectations are relatively low as far as the odds are concerned, but punters clearly think there is value in backing them.”

 

10 Most Popular Picks to Win the World Cup

 

  1. Germany
  2. Belgium
  3. England
  4. France
  5. Brazil
  6. Spain
  7. Argentina
  8. Portugal
  9. Russia
  10. Uruguay