Portugal - Betting on the World Cup

With Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani on the roster, the Portuguese could surprise and upset a few teams. They aren’t a serious threat to win the title but they should advance from the group round. Portugal is in Group G with Brazil, North Korea and the Ivory Coast.

Chelsea's Ashley Cole - 2010 Player of the Year - World Cup Blog

Despite being jeered by the Wembley faithful in the past and having his public image affected by matters in his private life, left-back Cole – one of the few England players to return from last summer’s World Cup with his reputation intact – topped a poll on the FA’s website to win the honour ahead of midfielders Gerrard and Johnson.

The poll, now in its eighth year, saw fans pick the best performer in an England shirt during the previous 12 months,

England manager Fabio Capello used a total of 44 players during 12 games in 2010, of which Cole missed just three – all friendlies against Egypt, Mexico and France.

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney won the award in 2009 and 2008, while Gerrard picked up the prize in 2007.

Argentina

Fútbol powerhouse Argentina has long been one of the favorites to win the 2010 World Cup. They are coming into this competition coached by one of the best players in the history of the game, Diego Maradona. They’re currently ranked 7th in the World and they will start in Group B along with Nigeria, South Korea and Greece. Argentina should easily win its group.

Odds for the 2010 World Cup - First week, First round

These are the odds for all of the opening World Cup games as of May 1, 2010. Up to dated odds can be found here - LINK

The first round has some very interesting bets. Betting on France on the first day is almost even money. If you want a big gamble, you can bet on Noth Korea vs Brazil for +2000. That means that if you bet $100 on North Korea and they win, you would win $2,000.

This is the complete list -

Friday, June 11, 2010
World Cup 2010 - South Africa
South Africa +185
Mexico +140
Draw - +220

World Cup 2010 - South Africa
Uruguay +275
France -105
Draw - +230

Saturday, June 12, 2010
FIFA World Cup 2010 - South Africa
South Korea +210
Greece +125
Draw - +220

FIFA World Cup 2010 - South Africa
Argentina -155
Nigeria +425
Draw - +250

FIFA World Cup 2010 - South Africa
England -175
United States +450
Draw - +275

Sunday, June 13, 2010
FIFA World Cup 2010 - South Africa
Algeria +230
Slovenia +115
Draw - +220

FIFA World Cup 2010 - South Africa
Serbia +140
Ghana +185
Draw - +220

FIFA World Cup 2010 - South Africa
Germany -175
Australia +500
Draw - +260

Monday, June 14, 2010
FIFA World Cup 2010 - South Africa
Netherlands -138
Denmark +375
Draw - +240

FIFA World Cup 2010 - South Africa
Japan +240
Cameroon +110
Draw - +220

World Cup 2010 - South Africa
Italy -120
Paraguay +330
Draw - +230


Tuesday, June 15, 2010
FIFA World Cup 2010 - South Africa
New Zealand +500
Slovakia -200
Draw - +300

FIFA World Cup 2010 - South Africa
Ivory Coast +170
Portugal +150
Draw - +220

FIFA World Cup 2010 - South Africa
Brazil -1000
North Korea +2000
Draw - +700

Wednesday, June 16, 2010
FIFA World Cup 2010 - South Africa
Honduras +400
Chile -150
Draw - +255

FIFA World Cup 2010 - South Africa
Spain -275
Switzerland +700
Draw - +350

South Africa and Jamaica Football Odds

South Africa will meet Jamaica in the International Friendly match on Wednesday at Offenbach Kickers Stadium.

South Africa is playing in the second International friendly match with Jamaica. These warm-up matches are really very helpful for all the South Africa players in the upcoming 2010 Football World Cup. All South African players are willing to perform their best inorder to grab the place in the 2010 Football World Cup squad.
South Africa is going to host this big event.South Africa is looking to show their best performance so that their will be some threat for all the big teams, who are participating in the 2010 Football World Cup. There will be big expectations on South African soccer team. South African fans are very eagerly waiting for the 2010 Football World Cup. Because, many star players like Lionel Messi, Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham etc., are all playing in the 2010 Football World Cup. All these star players have lot of fans through out the World.

2010 Football World Cup will start on June 11th and in first match South Africa will meet Mexico at Johannesburgh. The final match is on July 11th at Johannesburgh.

South Africa's President weighs in on Zimbabwe

Okay, so this isn't about placing a bet on the World Cup. This isn't about betting or the World Cup in general. This is about the elections in Zimbabwe (which you probably could have bet on at some point.)

South Africa's President, Thabo Mbeki, has an hour long meeting with the Zimbabwe president, and shortly afterward, said that the election stalemate was not a crisis and that the election committee just needed more time before releasing the results. Why it is taking so long is very odd.

It has been 14 days since the presidential election was held, and most people think that the ruling party in Zimbabwe lost the presidency to the opposition MDC. The delay in releasing the results has caused people to think that the current party is trying to manipulate the results and do this during the period of delay.

South Africa's president said that the 2 weeks period since the election is normal in Zimbabwe politics and that people should not be worried about the results.

There were recent riots in Kenya over their election results. I don't this would in anyway effect the World Cup.

World Cup Qualifiers – European Zone

The European Zone begins it’s qualifiers beginning in August of 2008, and just what, you can bet on the World Cup First Stage Qualifiers.

For these purposes, Europe is divided into 9 groups (8 groups of 6 teams and 1 group of 5). The 9 group winners will qualify for the 2010 World Cup. The best 8 teams that don't win a group will have a playoff against each other for 4 additional World Cup spots awarded to the zone.

The first group consists of Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Hungary, Albania, and Malta. Portugal has to be the odds on favorite to win this group, but I don’t think that Sweden and Denmark are such pushovers. This would be a fun group to bet on and watch, but I do expect Portugal to win it.

The second group (Group 2) is made up of Greece, Israel, Switzerland, Moldova, Latvia and Luxembourg. No one in this group really jumps out a team that will dominate, but I like either Greece or Switzerland to go the World Cup.

Group 3 has the Czech Republic, Poland, Northern Ireland, Slovakia, Slovenia, and San Marino. I would expect to see Poland or maybe the Czech Republic come out of here. I would like to see Ireland, but I doubt that would happen.

Betting on Group 4, I would have to put my money on Germany. They match up against Russia, Finland, Wales, Azerbaijan, and Liechtenstein. Russia or Finland might give Germany some problems, but even so, they should be able to win this group easily.

Group 5 has a very good Spanish team going against Turkey, Belgium, Bonsia-Herzegovina, Armenia, and Estonia. I would bet on Spain to dominate this group.

The British are coming to group 6, and they should no problem conquering this one. England goes up against Croatia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Andorra. I feel bad for all the other teams in this group, because they really have not shot.

Group 7 has France, Romania, Serbia, Lithuania, Austria, and the Faroe Islands. If I got any kind on odds on France to make it to the World Cup, I would take them.

Italy will be the team to come out of Group 8. They are matched up against Bulgaria, Republic of Ireland, Cyprus, Georgia, and Montenegro. Ireland should really stop playing as North and South and create just 1 team. They might be a lot better then.

The last group is 9. The five (only five) teams that make up this group are Netherlands (who I would bet on), Scotland, Norway, FYR Macedonia, and Iceland. I can’t see anyone but the Netherlands coming out of this group.

Well that’s the list for teams that are trying to get to the World Cup out of the European Zone. We’ll have to wait a bit to see who makes it, but it should be fun!