The £20 Bet
By Stewart Primrose
With the World Cup now only two days away, it is always a good idea to put a few bets on to make the next four weeks all that more interesting.
But with so much to look at and consider, what do you go for?
Well The World Cup Blog is putting £20 worth of bets on and if you are looking for some free bets and offers from a variety of bookmakers click here:
Winner
There are only ever 8 or 9 teams who are capable of lifting the trophy. The two South American teams – Brazil and Argentina, and the European ones – England, France, Holland, Germany, Italy, Spain and Portugal.
Out of these nine teams only six have lifted the trophy, with Uruguay being the seventh, although football was very different back then.
Italy are the holders, but have much the same squad as four years go, and it is unlikely they will be able to play to their optimum level throughout the month. Too many of their players are now past it, and I think this will become clear very early on.
Argentina and France are both in similar situations. Each has very controversial coaches and were lucky to qualify for South Africa. While Argentina should qualify from their group, France may not. If they do, I wouldn’t expect them to go very far.
Argentina have some brilliant strikers, but are fragile at the back. France, on the other hand, look like a mess and they could repeat their infamous displays of 2002.
Holland eased through their qualifying section, which involved Scotland. With the likes of Sneijder, Van Persie and Robben, they are a decent outside bet. However, when a Celtic reject in Edson Braafheid can make the squad, you soon realise how weak their defence is.
So that leaves Brazil, England, Spain and Germany.
I would say the winner will come from one of these four, but even England are looking weak as too many of their big players are out of form at the moment.
It has to be Spain. They are the outstanding team of the world and it is their chance to finally win the World Cup. Odds of 4/1 are as good as you will get, but they should reach the latter stages.
Germany at 14/1 is tempting, especially as an each way bet.
Top Goal scorer
This is slightly harder to predict, but also more fun.
It is not always the best forward to wins this award, but who has the easiest teams in their group.
Luis Fabiano will lead the line for Brazil and, with North Korea in their section; he could rack up a few goals. Fabiano is priced highest at 12/1 and should be a tempting bet.
David Villa is probably the best forward in the world. Odds of 8/1 make him the favourite, but when you consider the ease of Spain’s section, it would be surprising to see him struggle to score goals.
Team Specials
Serbia are a good side and have a reasonable group involving Germany, Ghana and Australia. They should qualify from that group, but may face England in the last 16. They are 12/5 to reach this stage, but odds of 6/1 to reach the quarter-finals, and 16/1 for the semis are good bets for the brave.
Mexico are 11/2 to reach the quarter finals, and this may be worth a small stake, considering they are in a good group which involves the weak France.
Bets: Spain to win 4/1 (£5), Villa top goal scorer 8/1 (£5), Fabiano top goal scorer 12/1 (£2.50), Mexico to reach last 8 (11/2) (2.50), Serbia to reach last 4 16/1 (£5)
