Group D Betting Preview

Based on recent matches, Italy really have to be opposed at best odds of 17/10 (PaddyPower) to top Group D. The Azzurri have gone seven matches without a win and they arrive in Brazil off the back of a wretched 1-1 draw with minnows Luxembourg.

If you’re looking for encouragement as an Italian however, the picture could quickly improve. The only defeat in that run was 1-0 to Spain and they showed in 2006 (winners) and 2012 (finalists) that they know how to do tournament football.

Second favourites Uruguay (2/1 Coral) have home continent advantage and a potential World Cup star in the guise of Luis Suarez. But it remains to be seen how quickly and completely the Liverpool striker returns from injury. Furthermore, this team only finished 5th in South American qualifying which should dampen expectation somewhat.

England (11/5 Bet 365) are travelling in hope rather than expectation for once and it’s not hard to see why. The defence is laden with players who haven’t performed on this stage before and Wayne Rooney will surely have to produce his best international form for a decade if the side is to ignite.

In such exultant company it’s hard to envisage how Costa Rica can compete. They are 7/4 (Skybet) to leave without a point and that actually looks pretty generous, especially after lead striker Alvaro Saborio was ruled out.