The World Cup enters into the last 8 on Saturday morning and despite our Socceroos dream ending early, Australian punters are still very much alive and kicking!
Online bookmaker sportsbet.com.au previews each of the remaining matches at the quarter finals:
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France v Germany
This match is the closest in betting terms but Germany has attracted twice the wagers as the French. Germany are priced at $2.50 to win in 90 mins and $1.67 to qualify. France are offered at $3.10 for 90 mins and $2.11 to qualify.
Brazil v Colombia
This clash guarantees at least one South American team in the Semi Finals and punters have supported Colombia at $4.50, receiving more money than both Brazil and the draw option combined. Brazil are favourites at $1.85 to win in 90 mins and overall $1.37 to qualify.
Argentina v Belgium
Punters in the past 24 hours have come out in strong support of the Argentinians. They’ve now received nearly three times the amount of money wagered at $2.10 than Belgium at $3.75. Both teams drew their matches in the last round, the draw here is paying $3.40.
Netherlands v Costa Rica
Everyone’s favourite dark horse Costa Rica are large outsiders at $7.50 to win the match with the Dutch attracting over 71% of the money wagered to be the shortest priced team to progress from the quarter finals at $1.50. A Costa Rican miracle with them qualifying is paying $5.40 to the Netherlands skinny $1.13.
“We’re really at the business end now of the World Cup with only the Dutch looking near certs to progress. The continental derbies should be absolute cracking matches and the Argentina/Belgium tie could go either way,” said sportsbet.com.au’s Will Byrne.
The World Cup winner still looks an open race with Brazil on $3.75 ahead of Argentina ($5.00), Germany ($5.50), Netherlands ($6.00) and France ($9.00).
Neymar has been the best backed winner of the golden boot at $4.50 but Messi remains the $3.60 favourite. James Rodriguez is priced at $4.00 despite being the tournament’s top goalscorer so far – he’s received less backing than anyone else in the top 7 of the betting.
Markets courtesy of sportsbet.com.au
France v Germany
$3.10 France ($2.11 to qualify)
$2.50 Germany ($1.67 to qualify)
$3.20 Draw
Brazil v Colombia
$1.85 Brazil ($1.37 to qualify)
$4.50 Colombia ($2.92 to qualify)
$3.60 Draw
Argentina v Belgium
$2.10 Argentina ($1.46 to qualify)
$3.75 Belgium ($2.60 to qualify)
$3.40 Draw
Netherlands v Costa Rica
$1.50 Netherlands ($1.13 to qualify)
$7.50 Costa Rica ($5.40 to qualify)
$4.20 Draw
World Cup Winner
$3.75 Brazil
$5.00 Argentina
$5.50 Germany
$6.00 Netherlands
$9.00 France
$13 Columbia
$13 Belgium
$51 Costa Rica
Top Goalscorer
$3.60 Messi
$4.00 Rodriguez
$4.50 Neymar
$6.50 Muller
$15 Van Persie
$17 Benzema
$21 Robben
Others quoted