World Cup Betting Odds For Russia
As the successor to the successful national football team of the Soviet Union, the Russian Federation’s National Football Team can trace its genesis all the way back to 1912, though it would not be until the late 1950s before the side made a proper debut at the World Cup. In keeping with the former USSR’s standing as a world superpower, Russia’s team absolutely exploded onto the international football scene against Western opponents: it’s first World Cup result was an appearance in the quarter-final round, and the team won the first-ever UEFA European Championship in 1960. Indeed, the Soviets never finished worse than the round of 16 in the World Cup (and then only once in 1986 in the waning years of the Cold War). Fast-forwarding to the present day, Russia is now the host of upcoming 2018 edition of the prestigious FIFA tournament, leading to a renewed interest in the World Cup betting odds on Russia.
These World Cup betting odds can be found at online sports betting shops like Bet365 and Bovada, which are widely recognized as the worldwide leaders in this hotly contested internet sports betting segment. Bet365, based in the United Kingdom, is the preferred online sportsbook for international punters in Europe, Latin America and elsewhere around the globe, whereas Bovada – based in Latvia – can legally serve bettors in the United States by avoiding federal and state prohibitions on sports betting throughout most of the country.
As the host nation, Russia’s entry into the tournament was guaranteed, but just how the National Team will perform at the World Cup is not so certain. That said, Russia drew a favorable first-stage group, which includes only Saudi Arabia (ranked No. 63 by FIFA), Egypt (No. 30) and Uruguay (No. 17) - the only team that has a legitimate chance against Russia. Nevertheless, winning or finishing second in Group E is far from a sure thing as Russia’s own status is diminished compared to the glory days of Soviet Union football, which leads to comparatively long World Cup betting odds for the host.
Live Betting Odds On Russia In The 2018 World Cup
Russia has made three appearances at the World Cup since the fall of Soviet communism (in 1994, 2002 and 2014), and in no case has the National Team yet managed to make it to the knockout stage of the competition. This middling record limits the live betting odds on Russia in the 2018 World Cup available at online sportsbooks like Bet365 and Bovada, but the fact that Russia is the upcoming FWC host means that the odds are inflated to a degree that would not usually be seen. So far, most of all the betting odds available for wagering on Russia at the World Cup’s 2018 edition are futures odds on the eventual winner of the entire tournament or the winner of the group stage.
Bet365’s betting odds on Russia in the 2018 World Cup are numerous and the odds don’t look too bad. Russia has odds on the same standing as the Colombian national team (ranked No. 13 by FIFA) and on roughly the same plane as Portugal (No. 3) as well as Group A foe Uruguay. Bovada’s World Cup betting odds for Russia indicate basically the same chances for the National Team, with Russia’s chances to qualify for the round of 16 moving up considerably due to a favorable first stage draw.
These World Cup betting odds for Russia are subject to change as the start of the Russia 2018 edition of the tournament begins, so be sure to check back at the soccer betting section of Bet365 and Bovada for all the latest updates.
Russia’s Road To The World Cup
As the tournament host for the World Cup’s 2018 edition, it could accurately be said that Russia had the easiest time making a berth to the tournament. That isn’t to say that Russia’s road to the World Cup was an one though, as there was doubtless much political maneuvering that took place before FIFA gave its approval for the tournament to be held there. Nevertheless, unlike the 31 other competitors, Russia’s national football team did not have to play in any qualification matches in order to earn a trip to the World Cup, which could actually have a negative impact on the team’s ability to perform at the tourney.
Russia’s record in international friendlies hasn’t been exactly standout material, as they finished 0-2 against Cote d’Ivoire in March 2017, drew against Belgium and then blanked Hungary three months later. That was to be one of Russia’s only two wins in 2017, as the team then drew against Chile and defeated South Korea in October. However, Russia didn’t show much in its 1-all draw to Iran on Oct. 10, a Nov. 11 0-1 away loss to Argentina and 3-all draw to Spain three days after that.
Russia Players To Watch At The World Cup
Russia will be depending heavily on its captain in the upcoming FWC 2018 edition, and more so than many other teams. That’s because Igor Akinfeev, 31, a goalie, is the team’s only real veteran, and certainly the only player on the roster with more than 100 caps for his national side. Akinfeev was first called up in 2004 and has represented Russia on 103 occasions so far, including at three UEFA Euro Championships and the 2014 World Cup. In his club career he’s also accrued a whopping 500 appearances for CSKA Moscow, for which he helped win six Russian Premier League titles, six Russian Cups and the 2005 UEFA Cup.
Akinfeev, however much the Russians will rely on his goalkeeping prowess (he made 17 saves in 2017 alone, enough to earn him more clean sheets than any other Russian player in history), can’t win matches on his own. The Russia players to watch at the World Cup when it comes to the National Team’s offensive efforts will be Aleksandr Kokorin, Fyodor Smolov and Artem Dzyuba – all three of which are in their 20s and combine youthful energy with the potential to put big numbers on the scoreboard. Kokorin, a forward or sometimes winger is the best goal-scorer of the trio, with 48 appearances and 12 goals for the Russia national football team, but Smolov and Dzyuba (both of whom are strikers) are the ones that are likely to be pressing the attack aggressively during Russia’s Group A debut at the 2018 World Cup.
Best Russia World Cup Betting Sites
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Russia World Cup Statistics
Russia World Cup History
| Founded | 1912 |
| World Cup Appearances | 11 |
| Titles | 0 |
| Best Achievement | Fourth Place in 1966 |
Recent Qualifying Matches
| Fri | 24/03/17 | WQE | Russia | 0-2 | Côte d'Ivoire |
| Tue | 28/03/17 | WQE | Russia | 3-3 | Belgium |
| Mon | 05/06/17 | WQE | Hungary | 0-3 | Russia |
| Fri | 09/06/17 | WQE | Russia | 1-1 | Chile |
| Sat | 07/10/17 | WQE | Russia | 4-2 | S. Korea |
| Tue | 10/10/17 | WQE | Russia | 1-1 | Iran |
| Sat | 11/11/17 | WQE | Russia | 0-1 | Argentina |
| Tue | 14/11/17 | WQE | Spain | 3-3 | Russia |
WC Qualification Statistics
| Total | Home | Away | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 8 | 7 | 1 |
| Wins | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Draws | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Losses | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Goals For | 15 | 12 | 3 |
| Goals Against | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| Points | 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Clean Sheets | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Avg. Goals Scored p/m | 1.88 | 1.71 | 3.0 |
| Avg. Goals Conceded p/m | 1.62 | 1.86 | 0.0 |
| Avg. Time 1st Goal Scored | 41m | 45m | 20m |
| Avg. Time 1st Goal Conceded | 48m | 48m | |
| Failed to Score | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Biggest Victory | 3-0 | 4-2 | 3-0 |
| Biggest Defeat | 0-2 |
Russia Head Coach
| Stanislav Cherchesov |
Russia Star Player
| Igor Akinfeev |
Russia Goalkeepers
| I. Akinfeev | V. Gabulov |
| A. Lunev |
Russia Defenders
| G. Dzhikiya | M. Fernandes |
| F. Kudryashov | I. Kutepov |
| R. Neustädter | K. Raush |
| I. Smolnikov | V. Vasin |
Russia Midfielders
| A. Dzagoev | A. Erokhin |
| D. Glushakov | V. Ignatyev |
| D. Kombarov | D. Kuzyaev |
| Aleksey Miranchuk | Anton Miranchuk |
| A. Shvets | Y. Zhirkov |
Russia Attackers
| A. Kokorin | D. Poloz |
| F. Smolov | A. Zabolotnyi |