World Cup Betting: Bet on the 2010 World Cup Qualifiers

July 22, 2008

WORLD CUP BETTING - BET ON THE WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS

EUROPE

Eight groups of six teams and one group of five were drawn on November 25 2007. The nine group winners qualify automatically. The best eight of the nine runners-up will play a two-legged play-off, hoping to be one of the 13 UEFA qualifiers. Qualifying begins in August 2008.

GROUP 1
In a very competitive group, Portugal is Evens favourites with sportingbet, while Sweden (5/2 with William Hill) and Denmark (4/1 with William Hill) do battle again after meeting in Euro 2008 qualifying. Hungary (33/1) is an improving side. Albania (500/1 with William Hill) and Malta (2500/1 with Ladbrokes) are the “whipping boys” of Group 1.

GROUP 2
A good draw for Greece (11/8 with Paddy Power) who should win the group at the main expense of Switzerland (13/8 with William Hill), though Israel (9/2 with skybet) may have a say. Latvia (50/1 with William Hill), Moldova (200/1 with 888sport) and Luxembourg (5000/1 with skybet) are no-hopers.

GROUP 3
In a tough group, the Czech Republic are 4/6 favourites with Paddy Power with Poland at 7/2 with William Hill.
Northern Ireland (14/1 with Paddy Power) has been in good form, while neither Slovakia (16/1 with William Hill) nor Slovenia (33/1 with Ladbrokes) can be entirely dismissed. San Marino (10000/1 with 888sport) might as well stay at home

GROUP 4
Germany (4/9 with skybet) and Russia (5/2 with skybet) seem certain to contest the guaranteed qualifying place. Finland (20/1 with William Hill) and Wales (33/1 with sportingbet) face tough tasks. Azerbaijan (500/1 with skybet) and Liechtenstein (10000/1 with sportingbet) will consider scoring a successful campaign.

GROUP 5
A very competitive group, with Spain (1/2 with William Hill) as worthy favourites, following Euro 2008. Turkey (3/1 with vcbet) will be no pushovers and Belgium (12/1 with Ladbrokes) could well play a part. Bosnia (40/1 with William Hill) face an uphill task, while Armenia (250/1 with William Hill and Estonia (500/1 with 888sport) have no chance.

GROUP 6
In a difficult group, England, 6/5 favourites with skybet, meet Euro 2008 qualifying nemesis Croatia (13/8 with Paddy Power). Ukraine (15/2 with William Hill) should not be under-rated. Belarus (100/1 with William Hill), Kazakhstan (1000/1 with 888sport) and Andorra (10000/1 with sportingbet) make up the numbers.

GROUP 7
France (8/13 with Paddy Power) should see off improving Romania (11/4 with skybet) for the top spot. Serbia (11/2 with William Hill) is a tough opponent, particularly at home, and could cause an upset. Austria (80/1 with William Hill) Lithuania (150/1 with William Hill) and the Faroe Islands (10000/1 with skybet) are also-rans.

GROUP 8
Italy is 1/3 favourites with Paddy Power to win the group. However, Bulgaria (8/1 with Ladbrokes) and Ireland (10/1 with William Hill) are fancied to upset the Azzurri. Cyprus (66/1 with skybet), Georgia (100/1 with skybet) and newcomers Montenegro (250/1 with 888sport) make up the group.

GROUP 9
Holland is 1/2 favourite with sportingbet and looks the likeliest winner. Scotland (11/2 with William Hill) seems on the upgrade and looks a good bet to beat Norway (6/1 with William Hill) to the play-off place. They may even trouble the favourites. Macedonia (66/1 with Paddy Power) and Iceland (150/1 with skybet) will do well to make any impression at all.

SOUTH AMERICA

All 10 teams in the group play each other home and away and the top 4 teams qualify automatically for World Cup 2010. The fifth placed South American team will play off with a team from Concacaf (Caribbean, Central and North American Confederation).Qualification is well under way in the South American group, having commenced in October 2007. With 6 games from 18 played, Paraguay (6/1) surprisingly leads the group with 13 points, followed by Argentina (Evs) with 11 points, Colombia (20/1) and Chile (25/1) with 10 points each and Brazil (6/4) with 9 points. Prices quoted are Stan James’ offers on winning the group. Brazil has been slow to start, drawing with Argentina, Colombia and Peru, along with a surprising 2-0 loss to Paraguay. However, it is way too soon to start panicking, with only a third of the games played. Ricky Kaka should be returning from surgery in the near future. Coach Dunga’s job seems under threat, but this seems premature. The only potential “banana skin” in Brazil’s remaining fixtures is an away tie to Argentina. This is not till September 2009, so there is plenty of time for the team to find its form. Winning the group will probably rest between Argentina and Brazil, the remaining qualifiers being Paraguay, with Colombia, Chile and Uruguay fighting for 4th and 5th places.

All odds correct at time of writing. Please click here for the latest odds