This summer’s World Cup in Russia will provide fans across the globe with a month-long feast of top class football.
Numerous nations are in with a realistic chance of lifting the trophy, but some teams also have the opportunity to banish the memories of previous disappointments at major tournaments.
Read on as we take a look at four teams seeking redemption at the 2018 World Cup.
Brazil
The Samba Kings are 9/2 joint favourites with Germany to win the World Cup for the first time since 2002. However, they head into the tournament eager to prove that they have fully recovered from their 7-1 defeat against the Germans in the 2014 semi-finals.
Brazil had hoped to win the World Cup for the sixth time, but Germany humiliated them on home soil to end their dreams. Punters can use a bonus from Sportingbet if they fancy the likes of Neymar and Gabriel Jesus to fire Brazil to glory this summer.
England
The Three Lions were woeful in Brazil four years ago and their defeat against Iceland at the European Championships in 2016 was a major embarrassment.
Manager Gareth Southgate has quietly set about restoring pride in the England team since taking over the national side and they comfortably progressed through the qualifying stage. England have beaten Netherlands and drawn with Brazil, Germany and Italy in friendlies since booking their place in Russia and a run to the quarter-finals shouldn’t be beyond them in Russia.
Spain
The 2010 winners failed to make it out of their group in Brazil, but they have looked much more like their old selves in recent times. Spain are unbeaten under manager Julen Lopetegui and their star-studded squad looks capable of going all the way this summer.
A recent 6-1 friendly victory over Argentina was a huge statement of intent and they are likely to be one of the most attractive sides to watch in Russia. Their opening group of Portugal, Iran and Morocco provides an excellent opportunity to ease their way into the finals and odds of 6/1 to win the World Cup look tempting.
Russia
Russia are aiming to bounce back from a disappointing showing at the 2016 European Championships and they will hope that playing on home soil gives them an advantage. The host nation are big favourites to win their opening match against Saudi Arabia on June 14, although they have not won a match at a major tournament since Euro 2012.
Since the break-up of the Soviet Union they have not progressed from the World Cup group stage, but a first phase draw of Uruguay, Egypt and Saudi Arabia gives them the chance to end that run.
