Odds shorten on a Marco Reus move – if he can stay fit
Germany’s talented forward Marco Reus has got tongues wagging in gambling circles with comments that he would strongly consider a move from Borussia Dortmund to an overseas club. But to many, that is putting the cart before the horse, as the injury-prone 28 year old first needs to demonstrate that he can stay fit long enough to put in some meaningful time on the field.
Reus has been out of action since the German cup final back in May, when he tore a cruciate ligament during Borussia Dortmund’s 2-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt. Medical staff predict that he will be back in action at the beginning of next year – but realistically, he then needs to prove to himself and the world that he can contribute to both club and country without breaking down again.
Gambling on World Cup glory?
The focus will soon be on Russia 2018, and with the qualifiers almost complete, bookmakers are already reviewing the odds and punters are looking to get some favourable bets in early doors. Online betting has seen a surge in popularity over the past couple of years, and it is reasonable to assume that World Cup 2018 betting will be bigger than anything that has come before. For Reus, this could be a genuine game changer.
His catalogue of past injuries means that he took no part in his country’s successful 2014 campaign, due to torn ankle ligaments. Two years later, when Euro 2016 came around, he was missing again, this time sidelined from the tournament with a groin strain.
Reus is desperate not to miss out again, and has told reporters that he would give all his money just to be fit. Cynics might argue that were he able to do so, it would be a sound investment, as with Germany the bookmakers’ favourites to win the tournament, his stock is certain to rise if he can play his part in taking his nation to victory.
Can Borussia Dortmund do it again?
Meanwhile, there will also be the small matter of his club’s Bundesliga campaign, not to mention their defence of the DFB-Pokal Cup. The team currently stand at the top of the table, five points clear of Bayern Munich, and are odds-on favourites to overcome RB Leipzig next weekend. Nevertheless, Bayern Munich are still seen by bookmakers as the odds-on favourites to finish the season on top, and the 2/1 odds being offered on Dortmund are tempting.
Yet perhaps the cup defence will be the most compelling. Bookmakers see it as a two horse race between BD and Bayern Munich, but while the latter are again favourites, there is far less in it than in the league. At this early stage, Dortmund are available at 4/1.
One question on which the bookmakers are remaining silent is just how significant a role, if any, Marco Reus will play in the matches between now and the opening match of Russia 2018 on 14 June. One thing is for sure, the next 12 months could make or break his career.