2010 WORLD CUP OUTRIGHT WINNER ODDS

Well, that’s it all done and dusted then isn’t it? The European Qualifiers have finally finished, in very dramatic circumstances, and we can officially start looking forward to the 2010 World Cup. I expect this to be a massive betting opportunity and the outright market at William Hill is already starting to heat up. 
First and foremost, France are listed at 14/1 to win the tournament. Utter bollocks, I don’t think those second-rate cheaters and their fifth-rate manager have a chance of getting out of the group stages if they play how they did against Ireland. I still don’t understand how a team that goes through qualification undefeated winds up playing against one of the better sides left after UEFA suddenly decides to seed the competition. Man, you'd think Platini was French or something... There are a lot of question marks over top of that game, but I think that we can safely assume that Thierry Henry should not walk the streets of Dublin or Cork alone for the next, ooh, say 25 years or so.
The favourites to win the 2010 World Cup are, jointly, Spain and Brazil which really shouldn’t surprise anybody. Both teams are listed by William Hill at 9/2 and I have to admit I fancy Spain a hell of a lot more than I do Brazil. I think that Brazil play a bit more of an effective game than they did in the past and while they may lack some of the feints and skill-moves you used to see in previous decades they are a bit more well-rounded playing under Dunga. Unfortunately for them, I just don’t see how they stack up to Spain on a player-for-player basis. The only thing that could seriously affect Spain’s odds are long-term injuries to Xavi, Iniesta, Casillas, Villa or Torres- if they have all five of these players on song next year they will be supremely difficult to beat. 
England are listed by William Hill at 6/1 and that’s a bit short in my opinion. The fact that the price is listed with a UK-based bookmaker is likely why the odds are a bit low but, remember just how well Capello’s men did during qualification. Argentina barely squeaked into the competition and they carry an 8/1 price. 
Germany, always formidable on the World Stage, are listed at 12/1 while Italy, the Netherlands, France and Portugal are all listed at 14/1. If you think an African team might win the tournament, try Ivory Coast at 20/1. Chile are also in there at 40/1 before we take a big jump to the other nations who, effectively, don’t really have a shot at winning the tournament. 
Cameroon, who can certainly play, Paraguay, Ghana and Serbia are all well-priced at 66/1. I would say that the plausible finalists could be one of these sides if things go perfectly, but I don’t see any of them winning it. Mexico, the USA and Greece share an 80/1 price while Uruguay, Nigeria, South Africa, Australia, Denmark and Slovenia are all available at 100/1. Switzerland are trading at 150/1 while Japan sits at 200/1. 
Slovakia, South Korea and Algeria can be backed at 250/1 while New Zealand shares a 500/1 price with such footballing powerhouses as Honduras and North Korea.