Strong Spain should end European drought on away soil
Published:No European country has won the World Cup outside Europe, but it is 1/2 for that record to end in South Africa, with Spain the market leaders at 7/2.
The European champions looked very strong in qualifying and will rely on Fernando Torres and David Villa for their goals, with the Liverpool hitman a worthy 10/1 contender to be top goal scorer in South Africa.
Spain should have little trouble topping Group H, but as well as taking the 1/4 on them doing so, I think there is even more value in betting on them to win all three of their group games against Switzerland, Honduras and Chile, which is priced at 11/8.
Five-time world champions Brazil are always popular with the punters, but at 9/2 I think they are not the best proposition. Most Brazilians will be looking ahead to 2014, when they are hosts and will be expected to win their sixth World Cup.
There has been a lot of patriotic money on England, and while Fabio Capello’s men are in with a good chance, they are short enough at 7/1. Wayne Rooney is the key man and has been heavily backed to be top scorer in the World Cup at 9/1.
England look certain to qualify from Group B, but their opening encounter with the USA in Rustenburg on June 12th is no foregone conclusion and any slip up could cost them the top group spot, which could prove very dangerous as they would most likely face Germany in the last 16.
If Rooney is the key for England, there is no doubt Barcelona’s Lionel Messi is as important, or more, for Argentina. With Diego Maradona in charge, there are those who feel that Argentina can only win the World Cup if Messi ends up as the top scorer in the competition.
If you agree, it is worth considering the 20/1 on that double, a very good price on the world’s best player and one of the best squads in South Africa.
Do you agree with Angus? See the full World Cup Tournament betting market.
