The World Basketball Championship gets underway today and, as usual, the USA head betting at fairly short odds. Surprisingly, on betting exchanges there are a lot of punters willing to take them on with Spain, Greece and even Australia receiving heavy support. You can put your wallet away when it comes to games featuring the USA in the group stages. In today’s game, the USA are at 1/40 to defeat Croatia, a 17/1 chance according to online bookmakers.
In outright betting, the USA are at 5/6 to take the title with Spain second pick at 10/3. Greece are next best at 16/1 with Serbia at 25/1. Spain has had an incredible run when it comes to sport in general and many are tipping them to continue that run in these championships. For supporters of the US, that’s good news as their odds are probably a little longer than they should be. For Spanish supporters, your odds are probably a little shorter than they should be through the weight of sentimental betting.
Russia (USSR) was once a power nation in basketball but as it broke up, so too has its strength. Twenty years ago they would have been pressing the US for favouritism, today they are 125/1. There is good money for Australia to make it through the group stages, however, bookmakers in general only give them 13/1 to make it through.
Group betting is interesting with Serbia (5/4) heading Group A from Argentina (6/4), Australia (13/1), Germany (14/1), Angola (200/1) and Jordan (1000/1). The battle with the top three should be interesting with all three having achieved wins against each other in recent months. How they perform on the big stage when a world title is at stake will be the leveler one feels.
In Group B, USA (1/6) are short priced favourites ahead of Brazil (12/1), Slovenia (20/1), Croatia (25/1), Iran (1000/1) and Tunisia (2000/1). It’s hard to see the US being beaten in this group with most interest centering on Brazil and Slovenia. Croatia could also make life interesting for that battle for second place.
Group C could be an interesting race with Greece (5/4) favourite ahead of hosts Turkey (13/8). Russia (10/1), Puerto Rico (20/1), China (150/1) and the Ivory Coast (1000/1) round out the group. Hosts have a tradition of doing well in most sporting events so you can expect them to get through the group stage. Who will go with them, Greece or Russia? My money’s on Greece.
Group D is the final group and it features tournament second favourites Spain. They are 1/3 to win their group ahead of Lithuania (11/2), France (9/1), Canada (150/1), New Zealand (500/1) and Lebanon (750/1). Group D looks to be the easier of the groups with Spain and Lithuania not needing to extend themselves to win through.
The US are short priced favourites with bookies while Spain seems to be drawing a lot of sentimental money – they have won everything else so why not rob the US of this title? You know, I wouldn’t put it past them either but if you’re looking for value, check out the betting exchanges first.