World Cup 2014 Preview

After winning the European Championships Spain/ are now 6/1 (paddy Power) to win the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Spain will be looking to win their fourth successive international tournament. Bookmakers make the host nation, Brazil, the favourites to claim the trophy (7/2/-general). In the four previous World Cups held in South America the tournament has been won by a South American side. Argentina are the 6/1 (general) second favourites, while Uruguay, who won the last Copa America in 2011, are a generous looking 25/1 (general) to lift the trophy.

The beaten European finalists Italy are priced 20/1 (general) to go one better in Brazil and lift the trophy. Germany and Portugal both had good European tournaments and will be looking to build on that for the Worlds. Germany are 8/1 (general) and Portugal 33/1(boylesports). England are 20/1 (general) to claim the title, while France, who disappointed many at the Euros, are 20/1 (general). Holland will be under new management and will hope to go one better than in 2010 and are 16/1 (general). Those looking for outside value might be interested in the Russians who showed some good signs in the Euros before taking their foot off the gas against Greece, and they look somewhat generous at 80/1 (general).

Those who do not want to tie themselves down can simply choose the continent of the winner. A European winner is priced at 4/5 (Skybet), South American 6/5 (Skybet) and the first ever African winner at 16/1 (Skybet).

Bookmakers are already priced up on the European group stages which sees nine groups in which the winners automatically progress while the eight best runners-up playoff for the four remaining places.

Group A looks wide open with Croatia favourites at 19/10 (sportingbet) to land the group, but they must adjust to life without long-term coach Slaven Bilic. Belgium are a side who have done well in tournaments in younger age groups and could be on the verge of something big (9/4-general) and Serbia will be competitive if they can keep away from off-field problems (9/4-Coral). Scotland are 25/1 (BetVictor/Bwin) while Wales are 50/1 (BetVictor/Bwin), Macedonia are the outsiders at 100/1 (sportingbet/BetVictor). Prices are also available on a top two finish. Group B sees Italy as 1/2 (ladbrokes) favourites to see off Czech Republic (6/1-Bwin), Denmark (6/1-BetVictor), Bulgaria (25/1-BetVictor/Bwin), Armenia (500/1-BetVictor/Bwin) and Malta 10000/1 (Sportingbet).

Group C will likely see Germany coast through at 1/4(boylesports/ladbrokes) with Sweden 6/1 (Sportingbet), Republic of Ireland 10/1 (general) and Austria 66/1 (Bwin). The Faroe Islands and Kazakhstan look to be the whipping boys. Group D favours Holland 1/3 (Boylesports/bet365/paddy Power) with Turkey (6/1-BetVictor), Romania 12/1 (general) and Hungary 16/1 (Sportingbet/BetVictor), Estonia and Andorra are big outsiders.

Group E looks competitive with Switzerland 8/5 (Coral), Norway 24/13 (Bwin), Slovenia 15/4 (Sportingbet), Cyprus, Iceland and Albania are expected to bring up the rear. In Group F Portugal are 8/13 (Skybet/Bodog/Coral) while Russia are 9/4 (Sportingbet). Israel, Northern Ireland, Azerbaijan and Luxembourg make up the group.

Greece head the market in Group G at15/8 (general) while Slovakia are 2/1(general), Bosnia is 5/2 (bet365/Bodog), Latvia at 25/1 (Coral) and Lithuania at 25/1 (BetVictor/Coral) will give them competition. Luxembourg make up the numbers. In Group H England are 1/2c(Bwin) to win the group, with Ukraine 6/1 (Bodog), Poland 8/1(Totesport/betfred/BetVictor) and Montenegro 12/1 (bet365/BetVictor). Moldova and San Marino are also in the group.

The final group (Group I) is an intriguing one and sees Spain and France pitted together. Spain are 1/3 (BetVictor/paddy Power/Coral) and France 11/4 (Skybet). Belarus, Finland and Georgia are the other teams in the group.

It might be two years away but it pays to get the early value on World Cup 2014.

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02/07/2012     © Frixo 2024