2010 WORLD CUP WINNER OUTRIGHT ODDS

Popular UK Bookmaker William Hill has listed England as the third favourite to win the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Reigning European Champions Spain are available as the slim favourites, laid at a price of 9/2 against Brazil's 5/1. England are short-priced slightly, some pundits are saying, because the bookmakers expect such heavy volume. While this may be true in part, I still consider them excellent contenders and realistically are among the top five or six favourites. Fabio Capello has truly done something wonderful with the team and I expect him to continue his tactical acumen well into the tournament next year. You can back Capello's men at 13/2. Argentina have drifted down to 8/1, with just a faint glimmer of hope remaining that they will even appear at next year's tournament. Their 1-0 loss to Paraguay last night definitely complicates matters and, while the team boasts plenty of global superstars, they could be absent from South Africa and they know that a play-off against a CONCACAF team will be necessary to ensure qualification. Germany are interestingly priced at 11/1 and they are always among the top contenders. They performed well at home and they are certainly a side that knows how to grind out results. That price will likely drop a bit as we get closer to the tournament. Italy and the Netherlands are both quality sides and are both available at 12/1. The odds then take a significant jump, doubling in size, with France and Russia both carrying a 25/1 price. The Portuguese still have a hope of qualifying although it is by no means a guarantee that Cristiano Ronaldo will be winking his way up and down African pitches next July. They are listed alongside the Ivory Coast at 33/1. Other notable prices include, Serbia at 50/1, Ghanat at 66/1 alongside the USA Denmark and Chile. South Africa themselves are 80/1 with the Republic of Ireland at 100/1. Mexico are available at 80/1 but they don't look as strong in qualifying as they normally do. The longest odds are on Latvia and Northern Ireland at 1000/1 to win the World Cup. But at least they still have odds, which is a lot more than you can say for some teams. Be sure to keep in mind that you can get each-way bets on the go, backing the top 2 at 1/2 the odds.