Top 10 Favourites To Win The 2010 World Cup
Titan Bet offer odds on the best teams' chances this summer
By Adithya Ananth
Jun 7, 2010 1:10:00 PM
10. Ivory Coast (34.00)
In 2006: Bowed out in the group stage
In qualifying: Strong qualifying campaign
Watch out for: Salomon Kalou (in the absence of Didier Drogba)
Value?: Good, so long as Drogba can play and make a difference in the toughest group of the lot
9. Portugal (26.00)
In 2006: Achieved fourth place in Germany
In qualifying: Stumbled, but managed to qualify through play-off
Watch out for: Cristiano Ronaldo
Value?: Decent - though there's little to choose between them and the Ivory Coast, so the Africans are the better bet value-wise
8. France (17.00)
In 2006: Lost the final on penalties
In qualifying: Controversial qualification after play-off victory over Republic of Ireland
Watch out for: Franck Ribery
Value?: Little - though you might have said the same in 2006.
7. Italy (13.00)
In 2006: Crowned champions after beating France on penalties
In qualifying: Finished top of Group 8 in a relatively untroubled campaign
Watch out for: Antonio Di Natale
Value?: Fair - this isn't anywhere near the team of 2006.
6. Germany (12.00)
In 2006: Finished in third place
In qualifying: Unbeaten in the qualifying stage
Watch out for: Miroslav Klose
Value?: Without Michael Ballack, probably too short. But remember never to write off...
5. Netherlands (11.00)
In 2006: Eliminated in the second round
In qualifying: 100 per cent record in qualifying
Watch out for: Robin van Persie
Value?: Good - their best players are in top form, only Arjen Robben's injury dampens enthusiasm
4. Argentina (7.50)
In 2006: Lost to Germany in the quarter-finals
In qualifying: Just about managed to scrape through
Watch out for: Lionel Messi
Value?: Great - so long as Maradona doesn't ruin things
3. England (7.00)
In 2006: Reached quarter-finals in Germany
In qualifying: Looked solid en route to South Africa
Watch out for: Wayne Rooney
Value?: Fair - but when was the last time they didn't disappoint?
2. Brazil (5.50)
In 2006: Eliminated in quarter-finals
In qualifying: Topped qualifying group with no significant trouble
Watch out for: Luis Fabiano
Value?: Good - even as second favourites, they'll give you a run for your money
1. Spain (5.00)
In 2006: Went out in the second round
In qualifying: Blazed their way through Group 5
Watch out for: David Villa
Value?: Spot on - deserved favourites, so you can't expect longer odds
Titan Bet are giving away an incredible $100 million to the fan who can correctly predict all 64 games in the World Cup. There is a guaranteed $1 million up for grabs for the fan who comes closest!
http://www.goal.com/en/news/1863/world-cup-2010/2010/06/07/1963021/top-10-favourites-to-win-the-2010-world-cup