Group B Betting Preview

Now that Diego Costa is back to fitness, Spain’s preparations appear to be going very smoothly. They are winning matches without conceding goals, and after victorious tournaments in 2008, 2010 and 2012, they look a big price at 13/2 (WilliamHill) to go all the way again.

Netherlands are also expected to progress to the last 16 (8/11 Coral) and fears over the fitness of Robin Van Persie appear to be unfounded despite his withdrawal at half-time in the 2-0 victory over Wales last week.

However, on South American soil, Chile must be a significant threat to the European big guns and they are 10/11 (Ladbrokes) to advance. Warm-up victories over Northern Ireland and Egypt were satisfactory rather than spectacular, but earlier performances against England and Germany offered real hope.

Sadly Australia looked destined to make up the numbers and are 3/10 (StanJames) to finish bottom of Group B. The Socceroos are 11/8 (Boylesports) to end on 0 points and 4/1 (Bet365) to have no goalscorer before they exit.