FIFA World Cup Betting

Every four years, the FIFA World Cup is a battle of the titans. Of the 18 World Cups since 1930, only seven countries have won the title. Brazil holds five, Italy holds four and West Germany, although defunct, holds three. It’s no surprise, then, that Brazil, Argentina and Germany are among the top five heaviest favorites heading into the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

As for FIFA World Cup betting, Spain are the current biggest favorite to win the it all, according to various sports betting sites, at just under 5 to 1 odds, and why shouldn’t they be favorites? Spain boasted a 35 game unbeaten streak until a shocking loss to the United States in June. During that time, they had a perfect record throughout the first portion of qualifying through UEFA Group 5, which will pick back up in early September and carry on through October.

Spain’s loss to the United States will only serve as a wake up call after an undefeated run of more than three years. Once Spain get a lead, they can melt minutes off the clock, as they are unquestionably the best passing team in the world. Spain’s success hinges on Xavi, who acts as the team’s quarterback. As the United States showed, shutting down Xavi makes Spain significantly more beatable.

Brazil check in around 5 to 1 odds as another favorite to make a deep run in the World Cup. After winning this year’s Confederations Cup in dramatic fashion over the United States, it’s obvious that Brazil are very capable of beating anyone. Brazil’s biggest strength is in its attack, which put up an average of three goals a game against stellar opponents during the Confederations Cup.

Brazil have an impressive trio of scorers in Kaka, Luis Fabiano and Robinho, who all showed their top speed and ability to create a goal out of nothing. Adding to Brazil’s scoring threat is Dani Alves and Maicon, a pair of scoring defenders. The only thing potentially holding Brazil back is goalkeeper Julio Cesar, who allowed a few savable goals throughout the Confederations Cup, including allowing two early goals to the United States before Fabiano scored two goals in the second half to tie things up.

England are another possibility at roughly 9 to 1. The biggest reason that the Brits are a possible championship contender is hiring manager Fabio Capello, a hard nosed, no nonsense coach who is leading one of the most star studded teams in World Cup competition. After England fired former manager Steve McClaren following missing qualifying for Euro 2008, which marked the first time in 24 years that England did not qualify for the European Championships.

England hired Capello, who has the Brits in top form. England’s main weakness is in its goalkeeping. Starting goalie David James will be nearly 40 years old by the 2010 World Cup, and his backups, Scott Carson and Paul Robinson, have been known to choke on the big stage.

FIFA World Cup betting is no fun if you only wager on the heavy favorites. It is always fun to put a small bet on a few teams that could surprise people and make a deep run in the World Cup. Even if these teams don’t win, it certainly makes watching the tournament even more fun. With that said, three teams stick out as a possible dark horse for the 2010 World Cup: United States, Ivory Coast and Netherlands.

The United States is the biggest long shot of the bunch, checking in at 100 to 1 odds. This is, of course, a hometown pick, but USA showed it was capable of making noise during the Confederations Cup. USA nearly won after getting up 2-0 early on Brazil before squandering the lead and losing, finishing runner up in the event. The United States would have to play at their top level to have a chance in the World Cup, and after performing well in the Confederations Cup, the Americans will not be taken lightly. Fortunately for them, goalkeeper Tim Howard is one of the best in the world.

Netherlands has a chance to make a deep run in the World Cup, and at 14 to 1, the Dutch aren’t one of the bigger underdogs in the tournament. However, Netherlands is one of only six teams to qualify, having won UEFA Group 9 with a perfect 7-0 record. None of the other teams who have qualified have a chance of doing any damage in the World Cup, but at least the Netherlands has time to prepare mentally, physically and emotionally before the event.

Finally, at 40 to 1 odds is the Ivory Coast, a possible local favorite despite being located more than 3,000 miles from South Africa. Ivory Coast are stacked with Superstars in Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou and brothers Kolo and Yaya Toure. Everyone knows that Ivory Coast are capable of putting up big numbers on the scoreboard, but skeptics wonder whether how its shaky defense will hold. Defense already cost Ivory Coast the African Championship.

In any event, the 2010 World Cup is a welcomed event after three years without it. Making things more exciting is the first African site in World Cup history, with a few African teams looking more like contenders than doormats.

You can click the link to learn more about Soccer Betting