The World Cup is almost upon us and in this article, we will give you our best value World Cup best ‘Dark Horses’ selections.
World Cup Best Dark Horses Selections
USA (66/1)
Hosts of the World Cup have generally done well over the years, and the USA perhaps look best-equipped to make a deep run in the competition.
Six hosts have ended up winning the World Cup, two have finished runners-up, three have finished in third place, two have ended in fourth position, whilst five have reached the quarter-finals – something The Stars and Stripes have not achieved since a surprise run in South Korea/Japan back in 2002.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men are 11/8 favourites to win their group, which also contains another potential dark horse in Turkiye, defensively strong Paraguay and battle-hardened Australia.
Should the USNMT secure top spot in their group, they will come up against a third-placed team from either Group B, E, F, I, or J, before a potential clash with a Belgian side that isn’t as strong as it was in recent tournaments.
It is unknown how the USA will cope with the pressure and expectations as hosts, but this arguably is their most talented roster, and a deep run could be on the cards.
Switzerland (80/1)
Switzerland qualified for their sixth consecutive World Cup finals thanks to an unbeaten World Cup qualifying campaign (W4-D2-L0), eventually finishing three points clear of nearest challengers, Kosovo.
Murat Yakin’s men also come into this tournament off the back of a successful Euro 2024, as they went unbeaten in the group stage (W1-D2-L0), knocked out reigning champions Italy 2-0 in the Round of 16, before being beaten in the quarter-finals by eventual finalists England on penalties.
The Red Crosses are favourites to win what on paper looks a relatively soft group containing co-hosts Canada, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Qatar, and should they win that, they will be coming up against one of the third-best placed teams from either Group E, F, G, I, J, before a potential showdown with Portugal or Colombia in the Round of 16.
Switzerland have been knocked out of the Round of 16 in four of the past five World Cup finals – but given their potential route should they win their group – there’s a good chance they could overcome that hurdle this summer.
Ecuador (100/1)
Ecuador qualified for this summer’s World Cup thanks to a terrific qualifying campaign, as they finished behind only reigning World and Copa America Champions Argentina, despite starting with a three-point deduction.
The key to their success was an exceptional defensive record in which they conceded just five goals across their 18 CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers, recording an incredible 13 clean sheets.
Sebastian Beccacece’s men are paired in a group with heavyweights Germany, the Ivory Coast and debutants Curacao, and should have more than enough to qualify – with bookies pricing them at just 1/10 To Qualify – whilst securing top spot isn’t out of the question.
La Tri do struggle top score goals – scoring only 14 in qualification – but given their exceptional defensive record, no side is going to want to draw them in the knockout rounds, and there’s every chance they could go further than any Ecuador side has in the past.
Senegal (125/1)
Senegal qualified for their third consecutive World Cup finals and fourth overall as they topped their World Cup qualifying group, thanks to an unbeaten campaign (W7-D3-L0), scoring 24 goals and conceding just three times, finishing two points clear of the DR Congo.
Since then, it appeared Senegal had claimed their second Africa Cup of Nations title after beating World Cup 2022 semi-finalists Morocco in a controversial final, but they were stripped of the title two months later.
Pape Thiaw’s men are pitted in what would previously be known as a ‘Group of Death’, as they are drawn alongside beaten finalists in the last World Cup, France, free-scoring Norway, as well as Iraq, but with it now possible that three sides can go through, Senegal should manage to navigate themselves out of the group.
The Lions of Teranga are strong defensively, powerful in midfield, and possess several attacking threats, and are more than capable of replicating their quarter-final run in South Korea/Japan back in 2002.
*all odds from Bet365 correct at the time of writing
World Cup 2022 Coverage
- What's coming up? View a list of upcoming World Cup Fixtures.
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- Group by Group Betting Tips; Group A, Group B, Group C, Group D, Group E, Group F, Group G, Group H.
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Greg MacLean is a football tipster and betting analyst who has been writing on the Mr Fixit site for 4 years now, as well as having his own Private Telegram Channel. He is a Rangers season ticket holder and watches plenty of football not only here in the UK but all across Europe and all over the world. To keep up to date on everything, feel free to follow him on Twitter/X (GregMacLean_).
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