2010 World Cup Group Betting

As the excitment builds towards the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, we thought we would give all you eager football fans out there a chance to become involved in some fantastic free bets and have a serious look which competing teams in the 2010 World Cup betting ranks could lift that coveted trophy.

Group A 2010 World Cup Betting

France : OK, let’s not get too carried away with the Thierry Henry controversy that gave France a ‘helping hand’ to these finals. France drew 1-1 with Tunisia in their latest warm-up match. They now have a game against China at home before they head to the finals. They should qualify from this group but I can’s see the moody blues do anything spectacular to win the World Cup this time around.
Predicted Position : 1st

Mexico : Showed they have some decent players in their squad in their recent defeat to England. Look lightning fast on the break, however, their defence does look somewhat suspect and their main goalkeeper at only 5ft 8″ could be their achillies heel. Their crunch games will be against hosts South Africa and Uruguay.
Predicted Position : 3rd

Uruguay : Have the prolific striker, Diego Forlan, in a team brimming with young talent. Really should have taken care of business in their qualifying group when they failed to beat Argentina and stop them from reaching South Africa. Comfortable against Costa Rica in the playoffs. I feel their opening match against France will dictate their style of play in the remaining group games.
Predicted Position : 4th

South Africa : Could be in for a great tournament. OK, not the best side in the World, far from it to be truthful. However, with home support, they could do a ‘South Korea’ and reach the later stages. Note : No World Cup host has ever failed to progress from the first group stage and I don’t think that this record will be broken with South Africa.
Predicted Position : 2nd

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Group B 2010 World Cup Betting

Argentina : One of the top 5 teams with the capability of winning the World Cup. However, Diego Maradonna has struggled to make a team full of superstars play like a team full of superstars. I don’t think they’ll face a tough test qualifying from this group. Possibly, their real test will come in the Quarters when they could face Germany or even England if they finished 2nd in their group.
Predicted Position : 1st

Nigeria : Lars Lagerback has a bit of an uphill struggle to gel this team together. Nigeria are NOT the force they have been in previous World Cup’s. The Super Eagles could not have asked for a tougher group. Although, not all is lost as it is bound to a three-way battle with Greece and South Korea (similar strength quality teams) for that important 2nd place.
Predicted Position : 3rd

Greece : One of the three teams in this group that will be contesting for 2nd place. Very hard working, honest side that rely heavily on being very hard to score against. They have certainly tightened up their defence since their last outing in 94 – but without a prolific out-and-out striker, don’t expect a barrowload of goals in any of their games.
Predicted Position : 2nd

South Korea : The Koreans finished top of their group in qualifying. Unbeaten in 14 games, yet this is a step-up from playing the likes of Turkmenistan and Jordan. Another team with pace in abundance but they concede often which might be their downfall in goals against in trying to qualify.
Predicted Position : 4th

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Group C 2010 World Cup Betting

England : Should be favourites to qualify from their group. The U.S.A might be a potential banana skin, however, as opening group games always tend to be edgy affairs. Perhaps, the biggest enemy to World Cup ambition for England is themselves. Recent on and off-field decision making by coach Capello has seen a nervy media question his commitment to the cause. Personally, I feel, once the actual tournamnet gets underway and the nerves die down, England have enough stock to win this group.
Predicted Position : 1st

U.S.A : Are definite threats if they start the tournament well. A lot of their top players ply their trade with the top European clubs and did extremely well in the Confederations Cup, losing 3-2 to Brazil in the Final after leading for so long 2-0. Their opening game with England will be crucial as to who will win this group or come runners-up.
Predicted Position : 2nd

Slovenia : Another team who punch above their weight. Think ‘Scotland’ without the ‘losing mentality’ and your pretty near how Slovenia ticks. They dispatched of Poland, Northern Ireland and the Czech Republic in the group stages then taught Russia a lesson in the playoffs. Lack of experience might get the better of them but they can play so others in the group better be at their best to overcome this small yet big country.
Predicted Position : 3rd

Algeria : I don’t expect much from Algeria. Yes, I understand they have a decent team and one or two players, such as Bougherra looking for a chance to join a Premiership club. Ok, they did defeat Egypt, a higher quality team than Algeria, but I think they’ll be way out of their depth against others in the group.
Predicted Position : 4th

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Group D 2010 World Cup Betting

Germany : Missing Ballack is a blow to the Germans but knowing the Germans they’ll overcome this set-back. They have a very strong front pairing in Podolski and Klose. The opening game against Australia will no doubt determine if they’ll finish 1st or 2nd in the group.
Predicted Position : 1st

Serbia : A team full of footballers that you wouldn’t want to meet down a dark alley late at night. Yes, the Serb’s may not be full of pretty boy football stars but they can play. Ask France & Ireland just how well! Could potentially play England in the 2nd round – now, that is a frightening prospect.
Predicted Position : 2nd

Ghana : Very impressive young African side, OK, no Essien playing a part, and which team wouldn’t miss the talented midfielder. Yet Ghana have a superb young squad who look a confident team going forward. On the other hand they throw up some wobblies time to time as their away defeats to Gabon and Benin in qualifying prove.
Predicted Position : 4th

Australia : Would the real Australian team please stand-up. This Aussie side is a bit of a Jekyl and Hyde mixture at the moment. Absolutely lethal in qualifying, yet have failed to reach the same heights during their Asian Cup 2011 qualification. Perhaps, the Socceroos, are pulling a ‘blinder’ over the opposition prior to the World Cup group stage kick-off. We shall soon find out just what the team from down under have up their sleeve.
Predicted Position : 3rd

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Group E 2010 World Cup Betting

Holland : The Dutch should win this group favourably. A very strong contendor for eventual tournament winners. Sailed through qualifying, winning every game and only conceded twice. Normally, the Dutch blow a gasket from the inside as their team of superstars are prone to holding a coup d’état at the big finals. Though this bunch do seemed grounded in their objectives – winning the World Cup for the first time ever.
Predicted Position : 1st

Denmark : The Danes look a strong unit and must see this as their best team since 98 when the Laudrup brothers were so influential. I can see them being too strong for the Cameroons and the Japanese but not strong enough to overcome Holland. Hence group runners-up seems logical.
Predicted Position : 2nd

Cameroon : Sadly, this Cameroon side is a pale shade of the 90′s team which caught all our imagination. Paul Le Guen is now in charge of the national side, Rangers fans will remember him fondly – NOT! Despite having high calibre players in the likes of Eto’o and Song I see them losing out in qualification because the rest don’t measure up to standard.
Predicted Position : 3rd

Japan : Nakamura, who was missing from England’s friendly, has been added to the 23 man squad and his addition will no doubt make such a big difference to the Japanese cause. However, not that much of a difference to see them qualify from the group. Serious wooden spoon contenders, unfortunately.
Predicted Position : 4th

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Group F 2010 World Cup Betting

Italy : Defending champions yet with an ageing squad. But you write the Azzurri off at your peril. Normally, slow starters to the big competitions and perhaps Paraguay and Slovakia hold a partial threat. You expect them to be in and around the semi finals but you then study the draw and realise they might have to overcome the Spanish in the quarters to achieve this – then the eyebrows get raised.
Predicted Position : 1st

Paraguay : Second favourites for the group and rightly so. Paraguay, perhaps not as classy as Brazil or Argentina, but they still do play some decent football. Destiny has them with a 2nd round game against the Netherlands whom they already drew with during one of their World Cup warm-up games.
Predicted Position : 2nd

Slovakia : Even though they won their qualifying group, one finds it hard to see Slovakia progress past the group stages in this tournament. They have a young and technically gifted side including Liverpool’s Skrtel. I think qualification may be just outside their hopes this time, not through quality but experience.
Predicted Position : 3rd

New Zealand : The All Blacks make a welcome return to the World Cup scene since 1982. Their 66/1 to just qualify from the group. It is a highly notable achievement that the All Blacks qualified having been in the wilderness for so long. We wish them well. But that’s it, another contender for the wooden spoon.
Predicted Position : 4th

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Group G 2010 World Cup Betting

Brazil : What can one say about the mighty Brazil that hasn’t been said before and no doubt there will be more superlatives written about them before this world cup ends than you can shake a stick at. Kaka looks a great bet for being top scorer at 33/1. This is a tight packed group, so Brazil will need to start at break neck speed to overcome their latino cousins and Drogba and co.
Predicted Position : 1st

Portugal : Tough, tough group to be drawn within and the Portuguese team and media know that. They laboured through their qualifying campaign. Still even a team that has Ronaldo has a chance and they’ll need him at his best to give them a fighting chance. Former Manchester United No. 2, Carlos Queiroz, has come under close scrutiny regarding his ability to manage at this level. Surely, this is the ideal place to finally lay the ghost of ‘Big Phil’ to rest for good.
Predicted Position : 2nd

Ivory Coast : Drogba is undoubtedly a special talent, as we are all aware, and the Ivorians hold him in a ‘God Like’ status. Add to this Barcelona’s Toure and Chelsea’s Saloman Kalou and even the laidback Sven-Goran Eriksson must be jumping through hoops at the prospect of becoming the first Arican team to lift the World Cup. Then he probably looks at his group opponents and reality settles in.
Predicted Position : 3rd

North Korea : Look like the whipping boys of the group but that would be disrespectful to North Korea. Still, I don’t think it bores well for the men from the north of the Korean Peninsula.
Predicted Position : 4th

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Group H 2010 World Cup Betting

Spain : World Cup favourites, Spain, should in all honesty, canter this group. But pressure can do funny things to people. Remember France in 2002? Still, with a vast array of talent on-board, you feel that even if one or two of their stars fail to shine then there is plenty in reserve to see them through group qualification without breaking too much of a sweat.
Predicted Position : 1st

Chile : The dark horses of the South American contignent at the World Cup this year. They finished 2nd in their group qualification just behind Brazil – although that was more like Argentina almost blew it this year. Chile will have enough in the bank to cash in on a 2nd round spot.
Predicted Position : 2nd

Switzerland : The Swiss qualified top of their group – although to be honest it was a fairly weak group. Injuries have restricted selection and I can’t see them doing much against either Spain or Chile. 3rd place beckons from the men from the Alps.
Predicted Position : 3rd

Honduras : Came into the competition as 3rd best team in the Concacaf qualifiers. Sort of says it all for their chances, really. I don’t expect much from Honduras – if they claim a point I’ll be surprised.
Predicted Position : 4th

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