Posted: Friday 19th May 2006

WORLD CUP BETTING

WILL YOU BET ON A 1966 FINAL REPEAT?

At the time of writing, Betfair are offering best odds of 26/1 that England face Germany in the World Cup 2006 final on 9th July in Berlin. This bet has been popular so far, even though the teams could meet as early as the last 16 stage instead.

It’s a 16/1 shot (Paddy Power) that England face Brazil in the final and a generous 31/1 (Betfair) that they come face-to-face with Argentina instead.

Other interesting ‘Name the Finalist’ selections are Brazil v Argentina (15/1 Betfair), Germany v France (66/1 Skybet), Italy v Spain (64/1 Betfair) while USA v Iran is a massive 20,000/1! I think you know why.

Click here for the full 'Name The Finalists' market

THREE LIONS TO WIN THEIR THREE GROUP MATCHES?

England are 11/4 with bet365 to win all three World Cup group games. Sven Goran Eriksson’s men face Paraguay in their first match, Trinidad & Tobago in their second game and Sweden last of all.

The price of 11/4 may seem huge if they manage a win in their first two games. However, if you think it’s an ambitious bet, England to score 6 or 7 points instead is a 10/11 shot while bet365 go 2/1 that they score under 6 points instead.

You can bet on the Group Points of every World Cup team. Brazil are a tempting 13/8 to win each of their three group games.

Click here for the full 'Team Group Points' market

ENGLAND 7/2 FOR REPEAT QUARTER FINAL DEFEAT

England are best priced 7/2 with Stan James to repeat their 2002 quarter final exit in Germany. They also bowed out at the last-8 stage during Euro 2004 so there’s bound to be plenty of takers at the current odds.

England are currently 8.8/1 to win the World Cup (Betfair) and 8/1 to finish Runner-Up (Bet365, Sporting Odds). They’re 5/1 to reach the semi-final stages (Betfair) and just 5/2 to fall at the last-16 stage instead. For those doomsayers amongst us, they’re 5/1 to fail at the group stages.

You can bet on the ‘Stage of Elimination’ for every World Cup team with France 11/2 to reach the semi finals (Sporting Odds), Holland 10/3 to reach the quarter finals (Bet365, Sporting Odds) and Spain 15/8 to fall at the last 16 stage.

Click here for the full 'Stage Of Elimination' market

BRAZILIANS LEAD WAY IN GOLDEN BOOT MARKET

Ronaldo (13/1 Betfair, BetDAQ) and fellow team-mates Adriano (13.5/1 Betfair) and Ronaldinho (16/1 generally available) lead the way on the Top Goalscorer market. This reflects the view that holders Brazil are expected to score many goals during the tournament.

England’s Michael Owen is curently a best priced 24/1 with the betting exchanges Betfair and BetDAQ to win the Golden Boot, with Wayne Rooney at 43/1 (Betfair) and Peter Crouch a huge 89/1 to grab the honours (Betfair).

Many Premiership strikers feature in the list, including Thierry Henry (16/1 VCBet), Hernan Crespo (23/1 Betfair), Ruud Van Nistelrooy (24/1 Betfair), Milan Baros (74/1 Betfair) and Djibril Cisse at 189/1.

Click here for the full 'Top Goalscorer' market