2022 World Cup: Group G Odds & Predictions

Group G includes the world’s No.1-ranked team, Brazil, and the Seleção will face two European qualifying group winners, Switzerland and Serbia, as well as African heavyweights Cameroon.

The World Cup betting and soccer odds have Neymar’s Brazil as firm favorites to top the Group, but second place is far from assured, with Switzerland and Serbia both in form.

World Cup: Group G Odds & Predictions

Odds to Win Group G

• Brazil: -350

• Switzerland: +600

• Serbia: +650

• Cameroon: +1200

Odds to Advance from Group G

• Brazil: -1400

• Switzerland: +115

• Serbia: +120

• Cameroon: +250

Group G World Cup Schedule

Brazil Aiming to End Two Decades of European Dominance

It’s been 20 years since Brazil won the World Cup in 2002, and it was also the last time that a non-European country lifted the trophy.

The Seleção haven’t been quite up to their usual standards over the last two decades, but there’s a good reason that they are the tournament favorites. 

Brazil is currently ranked as the best team in the world, and manager Tite’s team will put fear into even the strongest teams in the tournament. 

Brazil has an embarrassment of riches up front, with forward options including Neymar (PSG), Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid), Antony (Manchester United), Richarlison (Tottenham), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rodrygo (Real Madrid) and Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal).

Not to mention a slippery dynamic at midfield containing flair players like Manchester United’s Fred and Newcastle’s Bruno Guimarães, alongside astute powerhouses like Casemiro and Fabinho. Brazil’s defense has been almost impregnable for the last four years, and they have conceded only three goals in 2022.

Brazil is going to cruise through this Group, and I see them pushing all the way to the final.

In-form Players Will Push Serbia into Second Place

Serbia didn’t make it to Euro 2020, but they qualified for the World Cup with a big statement. In a tough group that included Portugal, Serbia finished top of the group and unbeaten throughout. They played eight games, drawing two and winning six, to qualify directly for the finals

So, what has changed since the Euro qualifiers? It’s really quite simple: The key players are having the best season of their careers. Dusan Tadic (Ajax), Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham), and Luka Jovic (Real Madrid) are by far the best players on the Serbian team, and Dragan Stojkovic will be thrilled with their form coming into the tournament.

Mitrovic, in particular, gives this well-drilled team an added goal threat. He scored eight goals in the qualifiers and has nine goals at club level. If he brings the same form to the World Cup, then I see Serbia edging out Switzerland for second place.

Granit Xhaka Can’t Carry Switzerland

Former Liverpool and Bayern Munich man Xerdan Shaqiri — now with Chicago Fire in MLS — is undoubtedly the main man for Switzerland when it comes to creativity. However, Granit Xhaka is the presence the Swiss rely on for steel.

Xhaka is having a great season for Arsenal, but he is surrounded by plenty of other leaders on the pitch there. I can’t help but feel they could stumble in this Group. Standout youngsters Breel Embolo and Manuel Akanji aren’t quite ready to shoulder the responsibility of being leaders.

Murat Yakin’s side only conceded two goals during the qualifiers, and a tight defense will be key if they want to advance.

Cameroon’s Players Will Fall Short

Cameroon is an African veteran in the World Cup and one of the more experienced of the continent’s teams. The Indomitable Lions failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup and barely made it into this one, with a winner-take-all game against Algeria deciding their fate. They only won this match through away goal aggregate.

This is Cameroon’s eighth appearance on soccer’s biggest stage, and while they have plenty of well-established players, I just don’t see them having any luck in this Group. They did score 16 goals in the qualifiers, but many of these were against vastly inferior opposition.

Vincent Aboubakar (Al Nassr), Andre Onana (Ajax), and Karl Toko Ekambi (Lyon) are the biggest names in the Group, and I don’t think they will be enough to see Cameroon take any points home.

Group G Predictions

Brazil is stacked and surging coming into this competition. They will take top spot and won’t drop any points here.

Second place will come down to the last game in the Group between Serbia and Switzerland unless one of them fumbles against Cameroon. Serbia’s key players will be too much for the Swiss to handle.

Cameroon will put in a good effort, but ultimately they aren’t as good as the other three teams and will finish last.