2010 WORLD CUP LATEST PREDICTIONS AND LONG-TERM BETTING ODDS

With so many excellent special betting markets available on the 2010 World Cup, it can be difficult figuring out where the best prices are and how you can expect the tournament to unfold. We’ve covered things like the outright winner and the golden boot in past articles so we’ll be delving into some of the more obscure odds markets for the World Cup in South Africa.

In the Highest Scoring Team market, we’ve got Spain trading at a 10/3 price as the favourites, but the really interesting selection is England at 4/1- this places them ahead of Brazil. You’ll find the Samba Boys trading at a 9/2 price to score more goals than anyone else, but I’m not sure that’s the way its going to go with this Brazil team that is a bit more organized and defensive-minded than in previous tournaments. Argentina are at 11/2 and then the odds take a big jump to Holland at 9/1. Italy are at 12/1, but that’s not happening.
What it usually comes down to is who has an easy group and will likely go far into the competition. All signs point to Spain and I would also be tempted to have a bash on Argentina at that price.
The highest-scoring first round group game is favoured to be Brazil vs North Korea at a 7/2 price. I don’t really see the North Koreans getting run, and I also think that Brazil may rest some of their more offensive players for this one. Spain vs Switzerland is interesting at 7/1 while Slovakia vs New Zealand trades at the same price. I would stay away from that one, New Zealand aren’t very good but Slovakia aren’t real blockbusters either. What you’re looking for here is two teams with crappy defences and I’m looking to have a bash on Ivory Coast vs Portugal at a heavy 16/1 price. With that group likely coming down to goal difference to decide second place- I think they may throw caution to the wind.
Spain are favoured to keep the most clean sheets in the tournament at a 5/1 price while Brazil are at 11/2. England are third favourites at 6/1 while Argentina are priced at 7/1. Italy are probably the best bet here with a 10/1 listing. An easier group helps them out as well. If you can take two clean sheets out of your group stage you are in pole position for this one, methinks.
Brazil are favourites for the FIFA Fair Play Award, but that defensive-minded approach usually means more cards so I’m tempted to bet against them. It definitely won’t go to England who trade at 7/1 so I may be tempted to have a go on either Holland at 9/1 or Germany at a 12/1 price.
The betting for the 2010 World Cup Golden Ball shows Lionel Messi in pole position here at a short 6/1 price. Xavi of Spain and Wayne Rooney of England are both the second favourites- trading at 14/1. Kaka of Brazil is at 16/1 alongside David Villa and Cristiano Ronaldo. That’s a wide open market though but the value could go to Luis Fabiano of Brazil, who trades at a 33/1 price.