Odds for World Cup Semifinals and Final

After 60 matches at the World Cup in Russia 32 teams have been whittled down to just four with the semifinals to be held on Tuesday and Wednesday and England and France are the early favorites to reach the July 15 final.

On Tuesday, France will play Belgium in the first semifinal match. France is currently 3 to 2 to win while Belgium is 2 to 1. A draw after 90 minutes is sitting on 9 to 4 as this time. The odds are very close, which is not surprising considering how talented both squads are and how well both played in their respective quarterfinals matches.

The knockout stage matches for both teams have had their fair share of goals as France has scored six while conceding three in two matches, and Belgium has netted five while conceding three as well.

France looked strong in its quarterfinals 2-0 victory over Uruguay. Belgium scored two first half goals against Brazil in its quarterfinals win, and held off the late charging Brazilians to register a 2-1 victory.

France and Belgium have played 73 times head to head with Belgium winning 30, France winning 24 and 19 have finished in a draw.

On Wednesday, England will meet Croatia in the second semifinals match. England is currently at 13 to 10 to win that match, while Croatia is 23 to 10 and a draw after fulltime is 11 to 5.

England defeated Sweden 2-0 in its quarterfinals match for its first clean sheet of the Cup, while Croatia went to penalties in the quarters to defeat host Russia after the match ended 1-1 after 90 minutes and two 15-minute extra periods. Croatia has been taken to penalties in both of its knockout stage matches.

The French have been made the early favorite to win the World Cup amongst the four teams remaining. France is currently 2 to 1 to win, while England is 5 to 2, Belgium 11 to 4 and Croatia 4 to 1.

France has looked the strongest throughout the tournament amongst the four teams remaining. The French won two matches and drew one in the group stage matches then defeated Argentina 4-3 in their round of 16 match before knocking off Uruguay 2-0 in the quarterfinals match.

If Belgium were to defeat France in the semifinals, they likely would jump over England to become the odds on favorite to win the tournament. Roberto Martinez has the Belgians playing magnificent football as they knocked off the favored Brazilians 2-1 in the quarters.

England and Belgium played to a draw in their group stage match, but several regulars for both sides did not play in the match.