2017 Confederations Cup odds analysis

An in-depth look at the 2017 Confederations Cup odds

Before analysing the contenders in the tournament, here’s a look at Pinnacle’s 2017 Confederations Cup odds:

The Confederations Cup is a quadrennial tournament comprising the winners of the Africa Cup of Nations, the AFC Asian Cup, the European Championships, the OFC Nations Cup, the Copa America, the World Cup and the winner of a play-off between the Gold Cup champions and the CONCACAF Gold Cup winners.

The hosts for the upcoming World Cup also qualify for the Confederations Cup and will host the tournament, an honour bestowed on Russia this year.

The champions have been divided into two groups. The top two from each group will progress to the knockout rounds, culminating in a final on July 2 in the Krestovsky Stadium, St. Petersburg. The group draw could prove crucial when analysing the 2017 Confederations Cup odds. Here’s how the groups look ahead of this year’s tournament:

2017 Confederations Cup odds – the favourites

Despite resting some big names, Germany are currently favourites to win this year’s tournament at 3.080*. The likes of Mats Hummels, oni Kroos, Thomas Müller and Mesut Özil have not made the plane, with Joachim Löw opting to rest his stars; hoping that it will revitalise them for next summer’s World Cup.

Their depth within the national team is commendable. Whilst Neuer misses out on the competition due to injury, their backup goalkeepers include Marc-André ter Stegen and Kevin Trapp, who both starred in the Champions League knockout stages for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain respectively.

Playing against a field of past international champions may be difficult for those with no experience on the full international stage; particularly in the knockout rounds.

The depth in Germany’s squad continues with the likes of Joshua Kimmich, Emre Can, Julian Draxler and Timo Werner all making the squad - showing that there is still plenty of talent in what could be considered a second string squad.

A cause for concern could be the international inexperience amongst their ranks. Joachim Löw has named seven uncapped players in the squad. Playing against a field of past international champions may be difficult for those with no experience on the full international stage; particularly in the knockout rounds.

Yet these seven have played in high-pressure games outside of the international stage; one being Ajax youngster Amin Younes, who started in this season’s Europa League final. The experience from the final and similar games could be invaluable for the seven debutants about to grace the international stage for the first time.

Will a strong squad help Portugal?

Whilst Germany opted to rest some of their star names, Portugal (3.390*) has named all of their heavy-hitters including, most notably, Cristiano Ronaldo - it comes as no surprise to see them a close second favourite in the 2017 Confederations Cup odds.

Even at 32 years old it would have been inconceivable that Ronaldo would not have been in the squad. Yet it may have been feasible considering a gruelling domestic season which included over 50 games for Real Madrid. The likes of Bernardo Silva, William Carvalho and Joao Mario also feature.

A worry for Fernando Santos’ side is the lack of recent playing time for some of his star names. Barcelona’s Andre Gomes has come under scrutiny after a difficult season at the Nou Camp, only playing the full 90 minutes on 11 occasions, whilst Pepe featured just 13 times in La Liga.

Although both Andre Gomes and Pepe made the squad, a lack of game time for the Euro 2016 young player of the tournament Renato Sanches (starting just 6 games in the Bundesliga for Bayern Munich) means he has missed out on the chance to take part.

Whilst Portugal’s 2016 European Championships win may have been somewhat of a surprise to most, it should not have been considering they have contested seven of the 15 European Championships finals to date. If they can transfer that pedigree to their first Confederations Cup, they may have enough to win a second successive international honour.

Are Chile the complete package?

Despite playing in both the 2014 World Cup and the Copa America in 2015 and 2016, Chile boss Juan Antonio Pizza had no hesitation including star man Alexis Sanchez in his squad. Chile’s joint all-time leading goalscorer has netted 28 goals in a difficult year for Arsenal and is joined by Arturo Vidal of Bayern Munich on the plane to Russia.

Besides Vidal and Sanchez, Chile does not have a side packed with superstar names like Portugal and Germany. Yet they have a strong squad which includes many that ended Chile’s 99-year wait for an international honour by winning the Copa America, including Claudio Bravo, Gary Medel and Eduardo Vargas.

At 4.230*, Chile may be able to take advantage of Germany’s international inexperience and Portugal’s lack of playing time for some of their star names. In a tournament comprising of just four games to reach the final, Chile may offer bettors value.

2017 Confederations Cup odds – finding value

Four of the last eight Confederations Cup hosts have reached the final; a good omen for hosts Russia. Their 2017 Confederations Cup odds of 10.240* don’t show them as a favourite, and rightly so after a dismal European Championships performance (finishing bottom of their group with just one point).

Yet if the Russian fans can transfer the infamous intimidating atmosphere of the Russian Premier League into the tournament, it may work in their favour and Russia may be able to cause an upset.

No African team has ever won the Confederations Cup, which does not make for good reading for Cameroon (17.780*). The 2017 African Cup of Nations winners are outsiders for the trophy but have players that may star in this year’s tournament, including Vincent Aboubakar and Andre Onana.

Take a look at Pinnacle’s 2017 Confederations Cup odds in full and bet with the lowest margins and highest limits online.

*Odds subject to change

Source: www.pinnacle.com