Fifa World Cup: Brazil bets sell hot on bookies’ circuit

KOLKATA: It’s not just the

Brazil

fans who are convinced about the team lifting the Fifa World Cup for the recordbreaking sixth time. Bookies in Kolkata, as well as the rest of India, are accepting bets on Neymar’s side. While France, the winners of the 1998 edition, have emerged as the second choice, it is Belgium, and not England, that came up as the third choice.


Brazil’s popularity, though, is not limited to the more organized betting syndicates in the city (where the India-England T-20 series is raking in as much moolah as the football World Cup). Several unofficial bets – placed across colleges and offices – ranging from a couple of hundred rupees to a treat at a top eatery, are also seeing the Samba boys taking the pole position.

Brazil’s win against Mexico in the round of 16 match on Monday made them the bookies’ favourites to win the title, raking up odds of 3-1. France, winners over Argentina on Saturday, have a 7-4 chance ahead of Belgium, who are placed third with odds of 5-1.

England are tied with Croatia at 6-1 odds. Bookies believe hosts Russia, who will face the Croats in the quarter final, have only a 20-1 chance to lift the World Cup, despite winning all their matches so far.

“Brazil is sliding in to rhythm as the tournament progresses. They are gradually getting the defence in place. The Belgium match will be an acid test, but if they win comfortably, no one can stop them,” claimed Satish Ahuja (not his real name) of Lake Town who placed bets on Brazil and Harry Kane of England finishing with the maximum number of goals.