World Cup 2014 betting: Belgium odds to win, Group H lines

Belgium comes into the World Cup with a great shot to go far and odds makers have them with the best odds to win their group and the fifth best odds to win the overall tournament.

They were great in qualifying and have many solid young players, but suffered a big blow when their main scoring threat in Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke suffered an Achilles injury.

He has been ruled out of playing this summer, which dropped their odds slightly.

Belgium Odds to win World Cup 2014: +1800
Belgium Odds to win Group H: -150

Belgium has the talent, but they are a younger squad that has many players making their first World Cup appearance. Still, up and down the squad features many world-class players and it would be a surprise if they did not make it out of the group stage.

The squad has a chance to improve upon their best ever World Cup finish, which was a fourth place finish in 1986. They open against Algeria in a match that should serve as a good tune-up.

World Cup Prediction for Belgium

While Belgium was fortunate to be drawn into Group H their overall draw is not that great, The reason is if they win the group, which they will, they will have to face the runner up from the dreaded Group of Death and that may be Portugal.

Belgium's toughest group match is facing Russia, but they will still come away from that match with three points. However, their last group win will be their last in the tournament, as they will lose in the round of 16.

How Belgium got to the World Cup

While Belgium was not in the toughest of European qualifying groups they were impressive going unbeaten winning eight matches and playing to two draws.

They won seven straight matches before playing to a draw facing Wales in their last qualifying match, which did not mean anything. Their most impressive win in group play was beating Croatia on the road, which wrapped up the group win.

World Cup Qualifying Results

07/09/12 Wales 0 - 2 Belgium

11/09/12 Belgium 1 - 1 Croatia

12/10/12 Serbia 0 - 3 Belgium

16/10/12 Belgium 2 - 0 Scotland

22/03/13 Macedonia FYR 0 - 2 Belgium

26/03/13 Belgium 1 - 0 Macedonia FYR

07/06/13 Belgium 2 - 1 Serbia

06/09/13 Scotland 0 - 2 Belgium

11/10/13 Croatia 1 - 2 Belgium

15/10/13 Belgium 1 - 1 Wales

World Cup Group Play Schedule

17/06/14 Belgium vs. Algeria - Estadio Mineirão

22/06/14 Belgium vs. Russia - Estadio do Maracanã

26/06/14 South Korea vs. Belgium - Arena Corinthians

Team Key Players

Eden Hazard - MF Chelsea - Solis attacking MF that has a ton of big match experience.

Vincent Kompany - MF Manchester City - The captain is the anchor of the midfield and is great on defnese and setting up the offensive attack.

Romelu Lukaku - FW Everton - With Christian Benteke out, Lakaku will be counted on to be the main striker.