Tournament odds: 750/1 (Betfair)
Betting Tips and Recommended bets with odds
Iran impressed in qualifying for the 2018 World Cup and in many ways look like the strongest Asian side heading into the competition – but they are not the continent’s best hope of a team reaching the second round.
The draw has been unkind to Iran, and with Spain and Portugal in Group B with them it is realistically pride – and third place in the group – they are playing for, competing with Morocco who they face in their first game.
Ahead of that first game, however, they should at least be confident. Morocco will be tough opponents – it was another of Africa’s qualified teams, Tunisia, who ended Iran’s unbeaten run in March – but they did beat Algeria.
With a depth of striking options and a measly defence, which Morocco too can boast, they face each other in the first group game and Iran are 12/5 to win with Bet365.
They are some of the best odds you can find betting on Iran at the 2018 World Cup, as they are as low as 1/9 to fail to qualify from the group stage.
Should they not beat Morocco though, then current odds of 5/6 on finishing bottom of the group with Bet365 suddenly look very generous.
Nevertheless, they showed strength in their most recent World Cup campaign – drawing their opening game and so nearly holding Argentina too, until Lionel Messi’s stoppage-time winner – and can take confidence from that.
They should be no match for Spain and Portugal, but they can at least upset the odds and beat Morocco to third place in Group B.
Recommended bet
Iran to win their opening game against Morocco at 12/5 with Bet365