Major Betting Companies Predict Low Probability of Korea Advancing to Round of 16

Putting the Most Emphasis on Entering the Uruguay Market

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The South Korean national soccer team is on the brink with 1 loss and 1 draw (1 point, goal difference -1, goals scored 2). Foreign betting companies have rated their chances of advancing to the round of 16 as low.

South Korea lost 2-3 in their second group stage match of Group H at the 2022 FIFA Qatar World Cup held on the 28th in Al Rayyan, Qatar. The possibility of advancing to the round of 16 still remains. They must win the final match against Portugal on the 3rd of next month and watch the result of the match between Ghana (3 points, 1 win 1 loss, goal difference 0, goals scored 5) and Uruguay (1 point, 1 draw 1 loss, goal difference -2, goals scored 0) played at the same time. If Uruguay beats Ghana, the ranking will be decided by goal difference, goals scored, and head-to-head results. South Korea is ahead of Uruguay in both goal difference and goals scored. If Uruguay and Ghana draw, South Korea will have to compare goal difference and goals scored with Ghana. South Korea must win by at least a 2-goal margin against Portugal to lead in goal difference. If goal difference is tied and goals scored are compared, South Korea will be at a disadvantage because Ghana has 3 more total goals than South Korea. If Ghana defeats Uruguay, South Korea will be eliminated.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Betting company William Hill predicted that Uruguay, Ghana, and South Korea are most likely to advance to the round of 16, in that order. The odds are 5/6, 5/4, and 8/1 respectively. If the prediction that Uruguay advances to the round of 16 is correct, a $1 bet would return $1.83. Based on a $1 bet, Ghana would return $2.25, and South Korea $9. Portugal has already secured advancement to the round of 16 with 2 wins. Another betting company, Ladbrokes, made a similar prediction. The odds for advancing to the round of 16 are 10/11 for Uruguay, 6/5 for Ghana, and 7/1 for South Korea. Uruguay and Ghana have similar odds, while South Korea’s odds are much lower. The low odds for Uruguay indicate a high likelihood of them defeating Ghana.