2014 World Cup Odds, Free Picks and Predictions: Vegas Favorites and Top Challengers in Brazil

2014 World Cup Odds, Free Picks and Predictions: Vegas Favorites and Top Challengers in Brazil: The 2014 World Cup begins June 12 in Brazil, and few sporting events can capture the attention of the entire world quite like the World Cup. Much like the Olympics, the World Cup only happens every four years, but for the countries competing in the tournament, a World Cup title is relished even more than an Olympic gold medal in the sport. The tournament begins with pool play, and 32 teams will be divided into eight groups of four with the top two teams from each group advancing on to the single-elimination rounds. Along the way, there will no doubt be thrilling finishes, controversial calls, penalty kicks and everything else that makes this event special. When all is said and done, one team will be left standing as World Cup champions. On that note, here is a closer look at the top contenders for the 2014 World Cup.

The Favorites

While hosting the World Cup doesn’t guarantee a country any advantage, playing on its home soil in front of what will certainly be a raucous crowd is only going to make powerhouse Brazil that much tougher. The 2002 World Cup champs have several elite goal-scorers, including Neymar, and an elite defender in Thiago Silva. More importantly, the defensive focus of coach Luiz Felipe Scolari should ensure that Brazil’s collection of individual talent adopts a team-oriented focus. This team is basically the same group that one the 2013 Confederations Cup so a record sixth World Cup could be on tap for Brazil.

You will be hard pressed to find a more decorated group than the one Spain will field for this year’s World Cup. After all, a majority of the players that helped Spain win the World Cup in 2010 are back, including forwards Diego Costa and David Villa. Meanwhile, this same group won the last two European Championships. Spain is notorious for its relentless passing attack that tends to wear down even the toughest opponents, and while the team’s offense isn’t explosive, it is opportunistic. Meanwhile, Spain’s defense is elite. With as much winning as this group has done on big stages in recent years, back-to-back World Cup titles are a real possibility.

Armed with arguably the best offense in the tournament, Germany could power their way to a World Cup title. After all, Germany scored 36 goals in 10 qualifying matches leading up to the 2014 World Cup. Philipp Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger head a loaded midfield, and while Germany’s defensive focus can wane at times, there just aren’t many teams that can keep pace with this group when it is rolling offensively. The Germans finished third in both the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, and this could be the year they break through and win their first World Cup since 1990.

Top Challengers

While one player alone cannot win a country a World Cup, it certainly helps Argentina that Lionel Messi is on its roster. Messi has been named World Player of the Year four times in his career, and he can be a one-man wrecking crew on offense. Of course, Messi isn’t the only star goal-scorer on Argentina’s roster as Sergio Aguero makes a strong No. 2 option. Overall, Argentina’s offensive is more than potent enough to win a World Cup. The question will whether or not Messi and company can ratchet it enough up on defense to handle what will likely be a brutal road to a title following pool play.

As the No. 3 team in the FIFA World Rankings, Portugal clearly has enough pieces in place to contend for a World Cup title in 2014. However, it’s impossible to consider this team a favorite because of injuries and a brutal path to a title. Star forward Cristiano Ronaldo is the reigning World Player of the Year, but he is battling a knee issue and will not be 100 percent. Meanwhile, Portugal will have to navigate the toughest group in pool play with a hobbled star. If Ronaldo is somewhat healthy, he and defenseman Fabio Coentrao and forward Nani form the core of potential World Cup-winning team. That being said, it will be tough to tell Ronaldo’s status until he gets on the field.

Check out daily LIVE updated 2014 World Cup Brazil Betting Odds from Bovada updated LIVE on NSAwins.com!