World Cup Countdown: Brazil v Spain second round priced up

At the risk of sounding like a child reaching uncontrollable excitement levels ahead of their first trip to Disney Land, there are just two more sleeps before the World Cup finally kicks off.

As has been the case for the last 100 days, Ladbrokes celebrate the landmark with another one of their special prices for the tournament, with the hosts Brazil the subject of their latest offer.

The company has gone 2/1 that the Samba Boys face Spain in their second-round match.

Should this happen, it will certainly be one of the highlights of the tournament with both sides strongly fancied to win the tournament with both pundits and bookies alike.

Brazil are the 3/1 favourites to win the trophy on home soil, with the defending champions Spain sat fourth in the betting at 13/2.

Certainly the other 30 nations eyeing the ultimate football glory wouldn’t mind this match occurring, as it’ll mean one less tough opponent in the way of their ambitions, but a couple of intricacies have to fall into place first.

If both nations top their respective groups then the final is the only point of the tournament in which they’ll be able to meet, something which can currently be backed at 12/1.

However, if one nation fails to meet expectations in finishing second, while the other prevails then arguably the most in-demand encounter of the tournament will get a far earlier airing.

That scenario is certainly not outside the realms of possibility, as Brazil are playing with the considerable weight that the hosts’ tag places around their necks.

Some of the squad already failed as favourites in the 2012 Olympics and with an entire nation’s glare fixed upon them, could falter once more in Group A.

Spain aren’t bulletproof either, having slipped up in previous World Cup group outings before (remember Switzerland?) and are playing in South American conditions alien to them, in a tough-looking Group B.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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