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I have been a constant opposer of the idea that Roger Federer can’t compete at the best level anymore. For younger readers, the swiss was considered “done” even since late 2008, after his Wimbledon loss to Nadal, and then consistently dubbed as washed up year after year – yet he still produced the goods and won major titles. Nevertheless, time does not forgive, and this time around Federer is truly starting to fade away at almost 33 years of age. Not just yet, but can we expect Federer to win Grand Slams two years from now? Likely No. Can he do it at least one more time until then? Yes. Can Federer win Wimbledon this year? Yes.

Pete Sampras: “That’s why he’s playing, I don’t think he’s playing for anything else but to win some more majors.”

The 2014 Wimbledon Championships seem to be the most unpredictable in a long time, but ironically this might just be Roger Federer’s best chance to get his hands on that elusive 18th Grand Slam title. The Swiss Maestro has not won a major since exactly 2 years, when he beat Andy Murray in 4 sets at Wimbledon 2012 under a closed roof. Federer had a miserable 2013, but came back strong this year and could potentially upset the odds (which are as high as 7.00) to put some more distance between him and Nadal in Grand Slam titles. Why is this Federer’s best (and last?) chance to win a Slam? Who are the other favorites, and who could potentially stop the Swiss? Preview and analysis below.

*Note: betting wise, when looking to post the odds for each player to win, I noticed that Youwin has the best prices for the Wimbledon outright market.

Roger Federer

Game – Roger has played some of his best tennis this year until the birth of his second pair of twins, after which he lost in the Rome 1st round and Roland Garros quarters. Nevertheless, he came back to win Halle last week, playing pretty good tennis. Highlights of the year include the Australian Open semifinal, Indian Wells final or Dubai title. Most importantly, he proved he can still beat the top guys: Djokovic (twice), Murray, Berdych, Gasquet or Tsonga, as well as the young guns: Nishikori or Dolgopolov.

Surface – Federer is one of the most successful grass court players of all time and between the current top guys, he is by far the most well adjusted on the green. The All England Lawn Tennis Club particularly is his backyard, his 7 titles here creating a legacy similar to Nadal’s at Roland Garros. According to his ‘executioner’ last year, Stakhovsky, “you`re not just playing Federer: you`re playing the surface, you`re playing his legacy”.

Morale – “I feel I can win Wimbledon”. “Everything works fine, I can rely on all my shots, I have no pain”. “I feel I can decide the outcome of matches this year”. These are statements we couldn`t hear last year. Clearly Roger is playing well, enjoying his tennis and is in good shape mentally. He`s happy on a personal level and the last time he had twins, he won Wimbledon that year.

Draw – An easy draw is always crucial, and Federer has it. Just two potential dark horses in his way to the quarters, Benneteau and Hewitt/Janowicz, but they are in poor form. The draw, strictly theoretically: R1: Lorenzi, R2: Benneteau, R3: Giraldo/Mahut, R4: Janowicz/Hewitt, QF: Wawrinka, SF: Nadal, F: Djokovic/Murray.

Opposition

Novak Djokovic – odds 2.88 @ Youwin – last years’ finalist is the odds-on favorite to win the tournament and by far the biggest threat to Federer in my eyes. Nole has played the best tennis on the tour this year despite failing to win a Grand Slam and will be eager to bounce back after the Roland Garros defeat. The problem for him is that he`s the least adjusted player on grass between the Top 4, his hand is stil not 100% according to reports and his style of play suits Federer, especially on the green.

Rafael Nadal – 5.00 – in other circumstances I could have even tipped Nadal to win at The All England Lawn Tennis Club, but in current conditions there`s no way that he will get a sniff at that Wimbledon crown. Rafa got just 1 win in his last two SW19 showings (lost to Rosol, Darcis), has obviously struggled this year and most importantly he seems drained after a superhuman effort to win Roland Garros. It was obvious that the 9th trophy in Paris meant so much to Nadal, he fought like an insane man to regain his best level of play and finally did it. His reaction said it all: holding that trophy like a baby and bursting in tears. Not that Nadal is emotionless, but somehow I never expected him to show it in a final ceremony. His physical condition was obvious in Halle, where he went out early. Indeed, he was not motivated, but I`m pretty sure he was not looking to get bageled by Brown – something which was very close to happening. I can see Nadal leaving Wimbledon early again despite an accessible draw, but if he somehow reaches the semis though, it will be a problem for Federer because of the matchup. Still, Fedex will hold a decent chance on grass against his nemesis.

Andy Murray – 6.00 – Andy will look to defend his title, but he`s not ready yet after last years’ surgery. He struggled all year, found some form to reach the Roland Garros semis, but was heavily exposed by Nadal. Expect Murray to grind his way to a quarterfinal or to the semis, but a tip on him to go further would be unwise – he needs more time to challenge for Grand Slams again – even at Wimbledon, on grass.

Stan Wawrinka – 31.00 – Stan got to a different level this year, winning a Grand Slam and backing it up with a Masters 1000 win, but his inconsistency is still there. He lost in the Roland Garros 1st round and most importantly, his game is not adjusted for grass right now. I can’t see Stan making it past the 4th round, say quarterfinals at best.

Dark horses

Grigor Dimitrov – 23.00 – he`s the 5th favorite to win the trophy ahead of Wawrinka, and rightly so. The Bulgarian had a great season and he is a very good grass court player, winning the London title just one week ago (destroying Wawrinka on the way). It looks like this is the perfect time for Dimitrov to shine in a Grand Slam and in certain circumstances I can see him reaching the semifinals. However, his lack of experience makes it unlikely that he will go all the way.

Milos Raonic – 61.00 – Raonic upped the tempo this year, producing some solid performances and really getting comfortable in that Top 10 zone. He can beat anyone when his serve is working well, and on grass Milos stands a good chance of going far. His problem is similar to the one all big servers have in Grand Slams: it`s next to impossible to keep up the highest level on serve for two weeks of 3 out of 5 matches.

Tomas Berdych – 51.00 – a former Wimbledon finalists, he also suffered a lot of early exits in the Championships. Tomas will always be a contender for the final stages of Grand Slams but looking at his horrible, slow performance in Roland Garros against Gulbis, I just can’t see him pushing further than the quarterfinals this year.

Kei Nishikori – 91.00 – Emerging talent, good on grass, but not ready for the big step yet. He`s not even 100% fit and was exposed by Federer in the Halle semifinals. He should exit Wimbledon in the first week.

Tsonga, Gasquet, Ferrer, Gulbis, F. Lopez, Monfils – the first two are out of form, Ferrer must be at his absolute best to reach the semifinals on grass, as he hates the surface. Gulbis has an abysmal record on the green, he has a long way to go before being considered a contender on this surface. Lopez is normally not a contender, but his brilliant form with titles on Grass at Queens and Eastbourne could get him a quarterfinal showing over Wawrinka. Monfils could go deep in the tournament due to an easy draw if my prediction against Nadal comes true. None of these is a realistic challenger for a final at SW19.

 
BETDISTRICT PREDICTION

Quarterfinals: Djokovic – Berdych, Murray – Dimitrov, Lopez – Federer, Raonic – Monfils

Semifinals: Djokovic – Dimitrov, Federer – Raonic

Final: Djokovic – Federer

The World Cup will always bring great excitement in the world of sports betting, providing punters with one month of high profile football betting options. Choosing where to bet on the competition can make a big difference in your account balance, so after bringing you the best World Cup bonuses and promotions, here is our advice for the best three bookmakers to bet with on the World Cup, depending on what your style and expectations are.

Pinnacle

Pinnacle`s edge over other bookies is simple: they have the best odds and the best margins out there. If you`re looking to get the best value and maximize your profits during the World Cup, Pinnacle is the place to open an account, deposit, and bet during the competition.

 
Sbobet

Sbobet is the way to go if you are fancying Asian handicaps, as they are the best in the business in this department. Their prices on the under / over markets are also highly competitive. With very good odds and a solid live platform as well, Sbobet is one of the best options to open an account and deposit at during the World Cup. The Asian bookmaker is also giving out a 15% 200 pounds bonus or 100% 20 pounds bonus, to your choosing.

 
*Take note that all the bookmakers presented in the “Where to bet on the World Cup” section are safely regulated, secure, trusted, and thoroughly reviewed by betdistrict.com.
 
Bonus option: Trade at Betfair
Betfair provides fantastic odds and margins on singles, fast payouts and A+ live betting coverage. If betting exchange is something you are into, or want to try it out during the World Cup, open an account and deposit at Betfair.

We conclude our World Cup group stage preview with Group H, which will see Belgium, Russia, South Korea and Algeria fight for the 2 qualifying places. The quality-packed Belgians are the favorites to go trough, but they have yet to prove their worth on the big stage, and all teams in this group are capable of upsetting the odds.

Previews, tips and predictions for the other groups on our World Cup blog
Belgium, after years of struggling to qualify for World Cups and European Championships, has suddenly emerged as one of the best teams in the world. Their reforms in the youth sector have produced a generation of amazing players, and surely for Belgium a quarterfinal is the minimum expectation. The team has easily qualified to the World Cup and is in very good form long-term, winning 14 of the last 21 games, including the last 3. There are few teams in the World that can align a better first 11 than Belgium, but the Devils will still need to respond to some questions in Brazil: are they ready for the task ahead considering the lack of experience (only 1 player over 30 y/o in the squad), do hey have enough chemistry, is Marc Wilmots the right man to coach this team? They are also inconsistent at times, as seen in the last friendly, at home, against Tunisia. They will need positive answers right from the start, otherwise Russia is there to take advantage and steal the first place.

• Key players: Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku
• Strong spots: Overall quality, Depth, Offense, Midfield, Keeper position, Explosiveness
• Weak spots: Experience, Slight inconsistency, Chemistry
• Odds to qualify: 1.22 @ Betfair

Russia had little trouble fending off Portugal for the 1st place in the WC qualifying group. This is a very solid team with great chemistry, great tactical organization under Fabio Capello and their defense is second to none in world football. Russia has not lost in the last 10 matches, had an excellent preparation for the World Cup and did not concede more than 1 goal in a game since 2012. Still, Capello’s side will need to improve their attacking game if they are to be more than an ugly team playing for goalless draws or 1-0 wins. The Russians also do not possess the same star power they did in the past (only domestic-based players in the squad), but they still have good quality, including up front, and all in all it`s hard to see them not qualifying. They could even top the group if their offense does not betray them against South Korea and Algeria, because against Belgium I trust they will able to get a draw.

• Key players: Aleksandr Kerzhakov, Aleksandr Kokorin
• Strong spots: Defense, Chemistry, Consistency, Manager
• Weak spots: Offense, Star power
• Odds to qualify: 1.55 @ Unibet

South Korea suffered a horrible 4-0 defeat against Ghana in the last pre – World Cup friendly, making for their 4th loss in 5 games, all without scoring a single goal – very peculiar, as their best players are in attack (similar to Russia). South Korea was not able to finish ahead of Iran in the World Cup qualies and barely qualified against Uzbekistan – looking at their current form you have to consider them outsiders in this group. The squad is also rather poor compared to previous years. If the attacking duo of Park (Arsenal) and Son (Leverkusen) does not produce the goods, South Korea might well finish last – a bet worth backing.

• Key players: Park Chu-Young, Son Heung-Min
• Strong spots: Youth, Counterattacks
• Weak spots: Individual quality, Offense, Keeper position, Form, Experience
• Odds to qualify: 2.85 @ Bwin

Algeria is considered the worst team in the group by bookmakers, but I`m not so sure about that. African teams seem to be very underrated in this World Cup. Algeria has some fine players and the team is in very good form, winning 4 games on the spin. They have forfeited their previous defensive approach and are playing nice, offensive football right now. Algeria should take advantage of South Korea’s form in the first group match and go on to finish 3rd. It`s unlikely they will be able to qualify, but they could be in the race until the last round.

• Key players: Sofiane Feghouli, Islam Slimani
• Strong spots: Midfield, Offense, Form
• Weak spots: Keeper position, Chemistry, Defensive inconsistency
• Odds to qualify: 5.00 @ Unibet

 

GROUP A BETTING PREDICTION: 1. Russia2. Belgium3. Algeria 4. South Korea 

BEST BET:

 

Stay tuned on Betdistrict for complete group stage analysis and extensive World Cup insight. Follow our facebook page and our Brazil 2014 blog for complete World Cup coverage.

Very interesting group this one, with Germany and Portugal as the clear favorites to advance, but with Ghana and the United States surely capable to spring a couple of upsets and even challenge for a place in the knockout stage. Some very tight matches and surprising results can be expected in group G.

Previews, tips and predictions for the other groups on our World Cup blog
Germany is one of the first 4 favorites to win the World Cup, and their 14 wins in the last 21 matches will surely give them confidence they can go all the way. The team is filled with quality, has a capable manager in Joachim Low and the chemistry is also very good, with the first 11 relatively similar for many years now. The explosive game of Germany can put any side in the world under pressure and they should be able to top this group, as they are 1 level above their main competitors, Portugal. The downside for Germany is that they did not impress in the pre – World Cup friendlies and they lack attacking depth, with Klose being the only natural striker in the squad.

• Key players: Mesut Ozil, Manuel Neuer
• Strong spots: Overall quality, Attacking pace, Counterattacks, Midfield, Keeper position, Chemistry, Manager
• Weak spots: Attacking depth, Striker position
• Odds to qualify: 1.16 @ Betfair

 
Portugal surely has a lot of individual quality, but they are just unable to reach that top level and year after year they are struggling in qualies and in the big tournaments. They seem more dependent than ever on Cristiano Ronaldo, and with the Real Madrid star having fitness problems, things are not looking too well for Portugal. Ronaldo scored all 4 goals for the Seleccao in the playoff win against Sweden and without him the team looked horrible in the pre-World cup friendlies against Greece and Mexico (the Ireland friendly has yet to be played). Portugal`s occasional inability to create chances and finish off games could hurt them against a well organized side like Ghana for example, so the Seleccao will need a fit Ronaldo if they are to avoid being upset for the 2nd place in this group.

• Key players: Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe
• Strong spots: Individual quality, Attacking midfield, Defense, Counterattacks
• Weak spots: Offensive inconsistency, Striker position, Keeper position, Dependence on Ronaldo
• Odds to qualify: 1.50 @ Bwin

 
Ghana had little trouble qualifying to the World Cup against Zambia and Egypt, with their 6-1 win over the Pharaons being one of the most impressive in their whole history. However Ghana seems to have used up all their goals in that match, as the team is struggling big time to create chances and have failed to scored in 4 of the last 5 matches. Still, they will draw confidence from a 4-0 win over South Korea in the last pre – World cup friendly and will enter the competition knowing they can frustrate anybody with their solid defense, midfield and an impressive tactical discipline for an Africa side. The individual quality is also there for Ghana, they have an amazing midfield with the likes of Essien, KP. Boateng, K. Asamoah, Muntari or Ayew and I would take a calculated risk, tipping them to outplay Portugal for the second place.

• Key players: Michael Essien, Asamoah Gyan
• Strong spots: Individual quality, Defense, Midfield, Discipline
• Weak spots: Offense, Keeper position, Defensive depth
• Odds to qualify: 3.75 @ Bet365

 
USA might feel they could have been dealt a better hand, as their level of football should allow them to challenge for the second place in most World Cup groups. With this kind of opposition though, the Americans will need to be at their absolute best in order to have the slightest chance of going trough. Their form has been great both short-term and long term, they dominated the Central American qualifiers and have won 19 of their last 24 games, but the level of opposition was mostly second hand. Nevertheless, USA has a 4-3 friendly win over Germany in 2013 to give them confidence. Klinsmann’s insane decision to leave Landon Donovan at home might have adverse effects on team morale. I don`t see USA strong enough quality-wise to avoid the last place in this tough group, but they should not be ignored and can make some noise in perfect circumstances. The group opener against Ghana will be crucial.

• Key players: Tim Howard, Clint Dempsey
• Strong spots: Form, Keeper position, Offense
• Weak spots: Individual quality, Depth, Defense
• Odds to qualify: 4.50 @ Unibet

 

GROUP A BETTING PREDICTION: 1. Germany2. Ghana3. Portugal 4. USA 

BEST BET:

 

Stay tuned on Betdistrict for complete group stage analysis and extensive World Cup insight. Follow our facebook page and our Brazil 2014 blog for complete World Cup coverage.

Argentina has been the luckiest side among the teams favored to win the World Cup trophy, being drawn in Group F alongsive Bosnia Herzegovina, Nigeria and Iran. Seemingly the fight is on for the second place only here.

Previews, tips and predictions for the other groups on our World Cup blog

Argentina is without a doubt a huge favorite to top this group and sheer quality alone should be enough to see them trough from the first place. The South Americans have finally found a capable manager in Alejandro Sabella, won the CONMEBOL qualifying group and have lost just once in the last 17 matches. The group is accessible but the quest to win the World Cup will largely depend on Messi improving his current form, which is surely not the best right now.

• Key players: Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria
• Strong spots: Overall quality, Offense, Wing play, Form
• Weak spots: Messi’s form, Keeper position
• Odds to qualify: 1.05 @ Bet365

 
Bosnia‘s World Cup qualification was a marvelous achievement for the Eastern European side, but it was no surprise considering the quality available in the team. Bosnia won their qualifying group over Greece and are a very entertaining team to watch, playing positive football and trying to win games, something which became an exctinct approach in football lately. Bosnia has just 1 draw in the last 23 matches and surely they will not play any match for the tie, even against Argentina. The recent form of Bosnia is somewhat shaky, but they won their last two friendlies prior to the World Cup and will enter the group as the second favorites to advance according to the odds – and deservingly so. Bosnia played a friendly against Argentina in USA late in 2013 and lost 2-0.

• Key players: Edin Dzeko, Miralem Pjanic
• Strong spots: Offense, Midfield, Attitude
• Weak spots: Defense, Inconsistency
• Odds to qualify: 1.75 @ Unibet

 
Current African champions Nigeria posses some very good quality in the squad, but their recent results were not impressive and have also seen match fixing allegations. With 4 consecutive matches without a win and with their honesty put to question, Nigeria will have something to prove in this World Cup and will feel they stand a chance to finish second ahead of Bosnia. They will need to play better than in the last months though and the star players must put themselves in the use of the team instead of playing for themselves.

• Key players: John Obi Mikel, Victor Moses
• Strong spots: Midfield, Keeper position
• Weak spots: Chemistry, Inconsistency
• Odds to qualify: 2.63 @ Betfair

 
Iran is considered the Cinderella of this group, but the asians are a dangerous side and can surely produce some upsets if looked upon lightly. Iran won their qualifying group over South Korea, with an amazing defensive record of just 2 goals conceded in 8 matches. Their last friendlies were less impressive and Iran does not look in the best form, but this is a pride nation and the players are sure to give it their absolute best in the World Cup. I wouldn`t bet against Iran with my eyes closed, especially at low odds, and I believe their chemistry and defense might be enough to challenge Bosnia and especially Nigeria. With Carlos Queiroz as manager, Iran should gain further credibility.

• Key players: Ashkan Dejagah,  Javad Nekounam
• Strong spots: Chemistry, Defense
• Weak spots: Individual quality, Depth, Offense, Lack of experience
• Odds to qualify: 7.00 @ Unibet

 

GROUP A BETTING PREDICTION: 1. Argentina2. Bosnia3. Nigeria 4. Iran 

BEST BET:

 

Stay tuned on Betdistrict for complete group stage analysis and extensive World Cup insight. Follow our facebook page and our Brazil 2014 blog for complete World Cup coverage.