Continent of Winner Betting
Only Brazil have won a World Cup outwith their own continent throughout the history of the World Cup. That doesn’t bode well for the European challenge but then again there is a first time for everything and the World Cup has never been held in Africa, so which continent should carry your money in the bookmakers Continent of Winner Betting?
Europe
Containing the biggest and best football leagues in the world Europe is naturally the bookmakers favourite to be the residing place of the World Cup trophy for the next four years. It is the hotbed of world football and the place where all the world’s best players want to ply their trade which has made the European continent the focal point of the football world. Spain, England, Italy, Germany, Holland and France all have realistic chances of winning the World Cup and will all be carrying your money if you decide to back Europe in the Continent of Winner Betting.
You’ll also have a few outsiders on your side including Portugal, Serbia, Switzerland and Euro 2004 winners Greece. With so many strong runners to boot it is no wonder that Europe are odds on favourites here.
South America
Ever since 1962 the World Cup winner has alternated between Europe and South America and given Italy were the 2006 winners if that sequence is to continue then you will find your 2010 winner in the South American continent. If you decide to back South America then your biggest hopes of collecting will lie with Brazil and Argentina who combined have competed in 11 of the 18 finals to date. Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay will also be on side but despite a prominent early World Cup history for Uruguay neither of these sides have made it past the quarter-finals stage since 1970.
One other mitigating factor in favour of the South Americans is the altitude at which a number of South African stadiums are situated. Having played a number of qualifying games at high altitude the South American teams will be best equipped to cope with the testing conditions.
Africa
If you’re going to place your bets on a continent that has never won the World Cup, i.e. anyone but Europe or South America, then Africa looks to be your best bet. A large number of top African players now play in Europe and at some of Europe’s top clubs which has led many pundits to suggest that an African team are getting closer to winning the World Cup, if that turns out to be true then there is surely no greater setting than in their own back yard.
North America
USA would be your main runners if you decide to back North America in the Continent of Winner Betting and although they are massive outsiders in the Outright Winners Betting there is reason for a small amount of optimism. Their run to the final of the recent Confederations Cup in South Africa included a deserved victory over Spain and they are expected to qualify from their World Cup group so could give you a good run for your money at worst. Mexico and Honduras make up the trio of North American representatives.
Asia and Australasia
Such is the remoteness of the chances of these two continent’s they don’t even warrant a section of their own. One point of note is that if you decide for some reason to back one of these two then you should remember that Australia are now officially representatives of Asia and New Zealand are the only Australasian representatives, check with your bookmaker’s specific rules regarding this one.