2022 FIFA World Cup Preview: Betting Picks, Prop Picks, Odds and Best Bets

November 16, 2022

RotoBaller previews the 2022 FIFA World Cup and recommends betting picks and prop picks for the tournament.

The World Cup is finally here. A few months later than normal but here nonetheless. And the team at RotoBaller has you covered for all your World Cup needs.

In this article we will cover a few tournament prop bets. These will include team and individual bets and will go from some safe picks to some long shots that could hit big.

This will certainly be a World Cup unlike any before it as we are in the middle of the European season which means we have to deal with a few injuries and lack of familiarity on teams. We will look to take advantage of some early market lines as we creep closer to the start of this huge event.

2022 World Cup Betting Picks: Best Bets and Prop Picks

Total team goals: Poland OVER 3.5 (-110)

Poland will not get a lot of praise as they come in as just the 26th ranked team in FIFA. However, over 3.5 total team goals for the entire tournament feels low when they possess perhaps the best striker in the world in Robert Lewandowski. The Poles are also in a group that includes 51st ranked Saudi Arabia, there is a shot that they hit their team total in that game alone. In 2018 they did only manage two goals in the group, but that was a much tougher group, they should like their odds to get out of this group, which would almost ensure the total team goals is hit.

Total team goals: Netherlands OVER 7.5 (-140)

As we sit today, the Netherlands are massive favorites to get out of their group, which gives them a ton of chances to hit this total. Coach Louis Van Gaal likes to have to possession and play a good team game, which should be easy to do in a weak group that includes Qatar, Ecuador and Senegal.

Team total goals: Senegal UNDER 3.5 (+110)

Widely regarded as the best team in Africa, Senegal comes in 18th in the FIFA rankings and the betting favorite to be second in the group. However, that comes with a big asterisk as their star Sadio Mane enters the tournament with an injury and will be at less than 100%.  That leaves the teams best players as goal keeper Eduardo Mendy and center back Kalidou Koulibaly, which would mean they are likely to play a more defensive game to try to progress.

Group Winner: Netherlands (-280)/France (-225)

Sometimes just because they are obvious does not mean they are wrong. As noted above, the Netherlands are simply the class of their group by a wide margin. The same can be said for France who are looking to repeat with what is likely the most individually talented team in the entire tournament. It is worth noting that Denmark did beat France this summer 2-1, however that is unlikely to repeat itself here.

Group A to advance: Netherlands/Ecuador (+225)

By now you know my thoughts on the Dutch side, so the bet here is on Ecuador to finish second in the group. As mentioned above, Senegal will not have their best player at 100%, while Qatar is likely the worst team in the tournament. Things were not smooth sailing in qualifying for the Ecuadorians, but veteran Enner Valencia returns to captain a team who could surprise some.

Group B to advance: England/Iran (+900)

Like above, England are overwhelming favorites to win the group, this is again a best on Iran getting second. Wales are 19th in the FIFA rankings, but that is a bit propped up on some well timed scheduling. The USA is favored to get second, but the team comes in on a bit of a rough patch having only beating lowly Grenada in their last four matches. Iran comes in with an impressive September window having beaten Uruguay while drawing with Senegal.

Group F to advance: Belgium/Canada (+650)

Again, we are going to assume the Belgians cruise to the top spot in this group as they are one of the most talented teams in the tournament on every level. Canada is being slept on in this group considering they were the best team throughout the whole of CONCACAF qualifying. The Canadians might also have the single best player in the group in Bayern Munich back Alphonso Davies.

Golden Boot: Steven Bergwijn (+5000), Fede Valverde (+8000), Michy Batshuayi (+10000)

I do not feel great about any of the top end options for this, you could take Kylian Mbappe, but with Karim Benzema around he could get a few goals picked from him. All three of these players have been in good form with their clubs, and their teams could go deeper than expected. Valverde is especially interesting as he has been an absolute force this year at Real Madrid and if Uruguay are going to advance, it will be on his shoulders. These are all longer odds so no big bets but could be fun to track as we go.

WINNER: Portugal (+1400)

Sure France, Brazil and Argentina might have more talent, but this Portuguese side is not lacking for high level talent. They also have experience in big tournaments having won the 2016 Euros with many of these same players. The wildcard here will be al-time great Cristiano Ronaldo who has fallen out of favor with Manchester United, but could look to prove the doubters wrong with a big tournament in Qatar.

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