Who Is The Favorite To Win The 2018 World Cup?

SAMARA, RUSSIA - JULY 02: Neymar Jr of Brazil celebrates victory following the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between Brazil and Mexico at Samara Arena on July 2, 2018 in Samara, Russia. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images)

The 2018 FIFA World Cup has been one of the wildest and weirdest in the competition's history, and there's every reason to believe the weirdness will continue when the quarterfinals begin Friday.

Upsets have been the overarching theme of Russia 2018. The last two World Cup winners, perennial favorites Spain and Germany, have already been eliminated, opening up spots in the final eight for teams such as Russia and Sweden. There are still a few traditional powers in contention — and it's no surprise that they're the favorites to win it all — but there are also a handful of upstarts looking to throw the international soccer pecking order into further chaos.

With only three rounds and seven matches remaining, this World Cup is still anyone's ballgame. So here are your final eight teams listed from worst to best odds — provided by Bovada — to lift the Jules Rimet Trophy.

Sweden, +2500

Sweden has quietly been one of the most consistent teams in this tournament. It's won three of its four matches, the only loss coming thanks to an absurd free-kick in the final seconds against Germany. The two goals allowed by Sweden in that loss are also the only goals they've conceded through four matches. Sweden will face England in the quarterfinals and should relish their chances considering the trouble the Three Lions have had in front of goal outside a 6-1 rout of Panama and a spate of penalties.

Russia, +1800

If it all comes crashing down against Croatia — which it very well might — Russia fans can only be pleased as punch about their run as World Cup hosts. Few expected them to advance past the group stage. No one expected them to beat Spain. Yet here they are, angling to become the seventh nation to win the Cup on home soil. They're longshots, of course, but they have a good chance of advancing to the semis if the defense plays the same against Croatia as it did against Spain. (And if Croatia decides to pass the ball sideways a thousand or so times.)

Uruguay, +1400

If you're looking to bet a longshot with a serious chance to make you some coin, look no further than Uruguay. Perhaps more than any other country in the tournament, Uruguay has looked like a team, or I should say a club team. The players are on the same wavelength in defense and attack thanks to a familiarity you don't typically see in international sides. But there are two (good) reasons why Uruguay's odds are so long. First, they play a France team in the quarterfinals that is finally clicking. Second, they'll likely do so without the talismanic services of forward Edinson Cavani.

Croatia, +600

In 1998, Croatia made the semifinals of the World Cup, losing to France but beating the Netherlands in the third-place game. That ‘98 team has been the benchmark for Croatian soccer greatness for two decades, but the ‘18 squad is doing its damnedest to set a new benchmark and make fans forget all about that team. Croatia was sensational in the group stage, but suffered something of a let-off in the round-of-16, needing a penalty shootout to thwart Denmark. The good news is that Croatia is in the much less arduous half of the bracket. If it beats Russia, all it will need is a victory over England or Sweden to make the final and eclipse the ‘98 team, and only one more win after that to clinch soccer immortality.

Belgium, +550

For years and years, the world has been talking about the depth and quality of young talent available to Belgium and the promise the team shows on the international level. Well, that young talent is finally grown up and it's time to keep that promise. So far, so good for the Red Devils, who swept their group and staged an amazing three-goal comeback to beat Japan 3-2 in the round-of-16. But Brazil is a far greater test of Belgium's mettle than any that's come before it. The quarterfinal showdown with Brazil will be one of the biggest matches in Belgian soccer history, and a win could move the team from being known as "The Next Big Thing" to just "The Thing."

England, +425

If England finally breaking its penalty shootout hoodoo didn't convince you that this Three Lions squad is different than those of the distant and not-so-distant past, I doubt anything will. For the first time in ages, little was expected of England heading to Russia, and the Three Lions responded to that welcome absence of pressure with their best showing since 2006. A favorable matchup with Sweden awaits in the quarters, presenting England with a fantastic opportunity to qualify for their first semifinal since 1990.

France, +400

The criticism of this France team has been they are a collection of individuals — albeit supremely-talented individuals — and not a true team. And that criticism held true in the group stage France wasn't much to write home about in the group stage when they were often one of the most boring teams in the field. But Les Bleus shot to life in their 4-2 win over Argentina in the round-of-16 on the back of a breakout performance from 19-year-old Kylian Mbappe, who became the first teenager to score twice in a World Cup knockout game since Pele — yeah, that Pele — did it against Sweden in 1998. France seems to be hitting its stride at the exact right moment, and that should scare the hell out of every other team in the field.

Brazil, +300

No team has been as impressive over four games in Russia as Brazil. The Seleção stumbled out of the gate with a 1-1 draw with Switzerland in the opener but have been lights out ever since. Against Costa Rica, they showed incredible persistence, scoring twice in stoppage time to win 2-0. Against Serbia and Mexico, it was more of what we've traditionally come to expect from Brazil, as it won both games 2-0 without ever looking in danger of losing. And while fans and pundits will be quick to cite the attacking prowess of Neymar, Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and many others as the reason for Brazil's recent success, it's Brazil's defense that makes them so good. They've given up just one goal in four World Cup matches and six goals in their last 25 matches overall. If Brazil does lift the Jules Rimet for the sixth time, the attackers will win the plaudits, but it will be the defenders who won the Cup.

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