The World Cup kicks off in November when host country Qatar takes on Ecuador in the first match. The competition runs from Nov. 20 to Dec. 18, as this is the first World Cup taking place during the fall.
Group E consists of the following four countries: Spain, Costa Rica, Germany, and Japan. This group has been dubbed the “Group of Death."
Even though Germany has the most World Cup experience and are the most recent champion in the group (2014), Spain is one spot ahead of them as favorites to win the tournament. Spain and Costa Rica made it to the Round of 16 in 2018, while Germany and Japan were bumped out of the Group Stage.
So who will make it out of Group E? Let’s take a look at WC 2022 betting odds and get some best bets and predictions for this matchup.
World Cup Group E Winner Odds
- Spain (-120)
- Germany (+110)
- Japan (+1200)
- Costa Rica (+5000)
World Cup Group E odds are current as of Oct. 7 at Caesars Sportsbook
Spain is a slight favorite to win Group E at (-120), with Germany closing in at (+110). The longshots of the group are Japan and Costa Rica.
However, Costa Rica has made it out of a “Group of Death" in the past, which cannot be discounted for an upset possibility here.
Read all of our World Cup Group Predictions
- World Cup Predictions: Group A
- World Cup Predictions: Group B
- World Cup Predictions: Group C
- World Cup Predictions: Group D
- World Cup Predictions: Group F
- World Cup Predictions: Group G
- World Cup Predictions: Group H
World Cup Group E Preview
Spain (-120)
Spain is currently the fifth-favored country to win the World Cup at (+800), even though they were bounced out of the 2018 tournament early. That has to do with how the team has performed as of late.
Under manager Luis Enrique, Spain is 17-12-3, scoring 62 goals and only allowing 22 goals. Spain has a solid attacking trio in Álvaro Morata, Ferran Torres, and Pablo Sarabia, with the three combining for 17 goals in 2022.
Spain lost the 2021 UEFA Nations League Final to France, but since then, they have gone 7-2-1, including winning three of their last four matches. This team has a solid mix of veteran experience and young stars that could make a deep run in the tournament.
The veteran presence of Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Koke, Morata, and David de Gea will help Spain in the long run, while young stars such as Torres, Pedri, Gavi, and Unai Simón will give Spain that spark when needed.
Germany (+110)
Germany trails Brazil, France, England, Argentina, and Spain as the sixth-favored country to win the World Cup at (+1000). Of the countries in Group E, Germany has the most prolific scorers.
Manager Hansi Flick‘s attack features Thomas Müller, Timo Werner, Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sané, İlkay Gündoğan, and Kai Havertz. The six have combined for 35 goals since the start of World Cup Qualifiers, with Werner leading the charge with eight.
Germany does a good job in controlling the possession and overpowering their opponent, but they have struggled recently. They failed to qualify for the UEFA Nations League Finals, as they sport a 2-5-1 record in 2022 and just one win in Nations League group play.
Germany needs to focus on attacking their opponents and forcing them to play on their back foot. Keeping opponents out of their half the field is vital.
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Japan (+1200)
This will be Japan’s seventh straight World Cup appearance and their seventh overall, as they first qualified in 1998. They have yet to make it out of the Round of 16, doing so in 2018, 2010, and 2002.
Japan likes to run multiple sets (4-2-3-1, 4-3-3, 4-4-2, and 4-1-4-1), as manager Hajime Moriyasu likes to keep opponents guessing. The defense is Japan’s greatest asset, with captain Maya Yoshida and Yuto Nagatomo leading the charge along with Eiji Kawashima in net.
Though the team doesn’t have a prolific scorer to their name, Japan has picked up the scoring as of late, with 11 goals in their last five matches. The young national Yuki Soma scored his first three goals in that span. They could call upon Yuya Osako, who has 25 goals in 57 caps, but he hasn’t been with the team since March.
If Japan wants to make it out of the group, they’ll need to rely on their defense to bear the weight.
Costa Rica (+5000)
This will be Costa Rica’s third straight World Cup appearance, with a Group Stage exit in 2018 and a quarter-finals run in 2014 after making it out of another “Group of Death."
The path for Costa Rica wasn’t easy, as they were the last team to qualify for the World Cup after beating New Zealand 1-0 in an inter-confederation CONCACAF vs OFC playoff. After struggling at the start of qualifying, Costa Rica has picked things up, going 8-2-1 and allowing just six goals in 2021.
Manager Luis Fernando Suárez has plenty of experience managing national teams, leading Ecuador to the Round of 16 in the 2006 World Cup.
Leading the charge on the attack are Joel Campbell and Johan Venegas, while captain Bryan Ruiz and Celso Borges hold down the midfield. Costa Rica has an experienced back line with Francisco Calvo, Bryan Oviedo, Óscar Duarte, and Kendall Waston.
World Cup Group E Winner Best Bet
Germany (+110) at Caesars Sportsbook
WAGER: 2 Units
While Spain is the favorite to win Group E, Germany is right behind them, and for good reason. Germany has the best attack in the group, and they’ll look to bounce back after struggling in the Nations League.
As a result, this is the best plus-odds wager for World Cup betting.
World Cup Group E Props
Japan to Qualify (+330) at Caesars Sportsbook
WAGER: 0.5 Units
This is a very bold bet to make, but it wouldn’t be the “Group of Death" without some excitement. With Germany winning the group from under Spain, Japan will snag a spot in the Round of 16 from them.
While their attack needs a boost, the back line will keep them in matches and ultimately frustrate opponents. Also, the fact they run multiple formations so well gives them an added edge.
Spain is the best team in the group, but with how Japan has played as of late, anything can happen.
