If you’re betting on World Cup odds for the big tournament, you’ll see that there are at least nine teams with a chance of making it to the final in the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg on July 11th. Here’s how it’ll all shake out in South Africa.
The Favorites
Spain (+400) and Brazil (+450) lead the way into 2010 World Cup betting, and if you’re going on history, Brazil wins easily: they’re the only team to participate in every World Cup, and their five wins in the most of any country. Spain won Euro 2008, but they’ve underachieved at the World Cup, as a fourth-place result in 1950 is their best. Both can trot out an impressive array of stars, but Spain gets the edge because of their midfield: can anyone else field a lineup of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas, and Fabregas doesn’t even start most of the time? Also for Brazil, can Kaka carry the attacking load?
The Second Tier
Argentina (+600), England (+700) and the Netherlands round out the best in this group, and La Albiceleste has all the tools to win, including FIFA World Player of the Year Lionel Messi, who leads an impressive group of forwards. But all eyes will be on the bench, where manager Diego Maradona will try to spark his country from the sidelines as he did as captain of the 1986 Cup-winning side. England is powered by Wayne Rooney, and USA World Cup betting players will be keeping an eye on him when the Americans face England on Saturday. But like Argentina, the focus will be on manager Fabio Capello, who has brought a no-nonsense approach to the side. Finally, the Dutch are still looking for their first World Cup win, and they need to make their “total football” style count when the chips are down after years of disappointment for the Flying Dutchmen.
The Darkhorses
Germany (+1400) lost captain Michael Ballack, among others, but the squad known as The Team haven’t lost in the first round since 1938, and without Ballack, they still have the dynamic duo of Lukas Podolski and Bastian Schweinsteiger, so you can’t count the three-time champion Germans out. Portugal’s (+2600) World Cup contest against the Ivory Coast to open Group G (aka the “Group of Death”) could decide who goes onto the next round, and even though they had a disappointing qualification campaign, they still have Cristiano Ronaldo, who won the 2008 World Player of the Year award and finished behind Messi last year. Despite Nani’s injury, Portugal is going to be a factor in this tournament.
Online sports betting pick: Argentina (+600) over Portugal (+2600) in the World Cup finals in Johannesburg on July 11th.
