With the South Atrica World Cup just over a week away, all the players must be getting nervous and very excited about playing for the biggest football competition in the world!
The question is who will win this years tournament on African soil for the first time? There are the usual contenders with Brazil 9/2 and Spain 4/1 running the charge as favourites. Both teams have proven world class players in all areas giving them the edge over their opponents.
Brazil's record in worldcup is outstanding winning it 5 times and are the current holders! Spain have always been one of the favourites, but have never yet managed to live up to the expectations. However, Spain are the current European Champions and they have a relatively easier group to begin with Switerland 200/1; Chile 66/1; Hondouras 1000/1. Brazil on the other hand have it tough with Portugal 22/1; Ivory Coast 33/1; North Korea 1500/1 in the same group.
What about some of the other teams - Italy14/1 ; England 13/2; Holland 10/1; France 18/1, Argentina 7/1- they all are in contention and feel they can win (maybe not France!). Out of these teams i fancy Holland , Germany and Argentina to do well.
Holland have always like Spain have had top players and high expectations, but have never delivered. This year they have some of the best players around coming into form like - Robben, Sneijder, Van Bommel, Kuyt and Van Persie who are all able to score goal and their defence looks strong also. At 10/1 they are fairly priced and have a great chance to win the their group (Cameroon, Denmark, Japan).
What about Argentina 7/1? Tempermental, unpredictable, explosive - that's just the manager! They have come through to qualitfy by the skin of their teeth. They have the world' best players in Lionel Messi. But one Argentinian player cannot win the world cup alone or can he? It will be interesting watching them and i feel that if they come through theirt group against Nigeria 150/1, South Korea 200/1 and Greece 150/1 they will get stronger with greater confidence.
Germany 14/1. This year they look good. They have accomplished players over the pitch, most notably ahm, Schweinsteiger and Klose. They always give 100% and a solid performance in every ghame they play and are hightly organised. This year they seem to have players that can make a difference on their own and this could be what they have lacked since the 90's. They should come through their group without too much problem (Australia 175/1, Ghana 80/1 , Serbia 50/1)
