When placing a World Cup bet, it’s good to spread your wings and not put all your eggs in one basketball. This list of five teams to watch at the World Cup in South Africa when the tournament starts on June 11th includes a few favorites, and a couple of darkhorses who will be looking to make it interesting.
Spain (+425): The underachieving Spanish come into this tournament as the favorites after their 2008 win in the European championships, but they have a few injuries to worry about, like Fernando Torres, Xavi and Cesc Fabregas. Spain will hope to have Torres healthy, because with David Villa, the Spanish could have the best strike pairing in the tournament. But injuries could be their downfall, so beware of Spain.
Brazil (+450): Everyone is saying how Brazil isn’t an exciting attacking threat anymore, and maybe they’re not. But Dunga has the Brazilians playing excellent counterattacking soccer, and if it brings them a sixth World Cup, there will be few complaints. Kaka will be counted on to play better than he did in his first year at Real Madrid, while Luis Fabiano is their most dangerous striker.
Argentina (+675): The Argentineans struggled during qualification, and some of the decisions made by manager Diego Maradona haven’t been as sound as the decisions he made when he was leading Argentina to the World Cup in 1986. But he has a wealth of talent at his disposal, especially up front as Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez, Gonzalo Higuain and Diego Milito are the deepest group of strikers in the tournament. They are the World Cup Group B betting
favorites to get to the second round, and Argentina could ride the wave all the way to the final.
Germany (+1400): The Germans have made it to the quarterfinals in each World Cup since 1978, but they were dealt a couple of severe blows as captain Michael Ballack and No.1 keeper Rene Adler will miss the tournament through injury. Now, the pressure is on Lukas Podolski and Bastian Schweinsteiger to carry the flag, as they were supposed to lead the country when Ballack retired after this tournament. Germany is still a serious threat when you bet soccer online.
Portugal (+2600): The odds are long, and like Argentina they struggled in qualification, but Portugal has as much talent as anyone in the World Cup, led by captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who had a brilliant debut at Real Madrid. The man who replaced him at Manchester United, Nani, is another player who will be counted on in South Africa along with Simao, while Portugal’s defense is underrated. They’re in the “Group of Death” with Brazil and the Ivory Coast, but that will only strengthen them for a long World Cup run.
Online betting picks: Argentina +675, Portugal +2600
