2010 World Cup Odds Preview

The most viewed sporting event in the world will be renewed this June in South Africa when the 2010 World Cup gets underway. In a wide open field, a country that has never captured the biggest prize in soccer could be celebrating a title. In the last World Cup in 2006, Italy defeated France in the championship match.

Odds to win the World Cup

Among a field of 32 countries that have qualified for the World Cup, Spain is the favorite at +450. Spain has emerged as the favorite despite never finishing higher than fourth in any previous World Cup. Brazil is next at +500. This country has captured a record five World Cup titles. Brazil has been in the title match in three of the past four World Cups. England follows up at +550. The country’s only previous title came in 1966. Two-time World Cup champion Argentina is at +900. Other contenders are Germany at +1000 and defending champion Italy at +1200. The biggest long shots are North Korea and New Zealand at +80000.

Odds To Win Each Group

The 32 teams in the World Cup are broken down into groups of four. Here’s a look at the eight groups:

Group A

France is a -105 favorite to advance in a field that also includes Mexico (+350), Uruguay (+375) and host country South Africa (+600). France is at +1800 to win the cup. Bet Group A

Group B

In this group, Argentina is a -200 favorite. Nigeria (+400), Greece (+550) and South Korea (+1000) are also in Group B. Argentina’s last championship was in 1986. Bet Group B

Group C

England (-300) is the heavy favorite in group C over the United States (+450), Slovenia (+800) and Algeria (+2000). Bet Group C

Group D

In this group, Germany is expected to advance as a -140 favorite. The other countries in group D are Ghana (+300), Serbia (+350) and Australia (+750). Germany is tied with Brazil for the most appearances in a World Cup championship match with seven. Bet Group D

Group E

In a group of countries that have never finished in the top four of a World Cup, Holland (-150) is favored to reach the final eight of this year’s cup. Cameroon (+350), Denmark (+400) and Japan (+1000) round out the field in group E. Bet Group E

Group F

Italy is expected to cruise into the next round as a -300 favorite over Paraguay (+350), Slovakia (+700) and New Zealand (+5000). Bet Group F

Group G

In what was viewed as the most difficult of the eight groups, Brazil is a -175 favorite to advance over Portugal (+350), the Ivory Coast (+350) and North Korea (+5000). Portugal and the Ivory Coast are among the top ten overall favorites to capture the cup. Bet Group G

Group H

Spain is a -350 favorite in this group over Chile (+400), Switzerland (+800) and Honduras (+2000).

The first World Cup matches will begin on June 11th leading up to the championship game on July 11th. The title match will take place at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg. The venue has a capacity of 95,000. Bet Group H