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The Football Focus thread tends to have a crowd of regular posters whereas the World Cup is likely to attract the interest of a far wider audience. I suggested to Admin we had a seperate thread for all things World Cup - so a place for thoughts, predictions, betting ;-) which pubs are showing the games etc. So for South Africa 2010 this is that thread. Fill yer boots.
I can't see beyond Brazil and I know that's a very predictable choice. They have pace, power, strength and an abundance of natural skill. They are also very well organised under Dunga. I'd love to see Spain do well as they play great football, but I wonder if they have peaked too soon? Holland would be a good outside bet if they can avoid internal in-fighting. I think the weather conditions in South Africa will suit European teams as it will be winter during the World Cup and it gets pretty cold by all accounts. I can't see England winning the thing. Not enough quality in the team and a weak keeper.

Despite a terrible qualifying campaign, bitter internal infighting and a drug-addled, tactically naive manager I'm going to back Argentina.


What odds can I get on that? I can't access gambling sites at work but fancy a flutter.


Dark horses? Got to be the Ivory Coast now they've got Eriksson as manager.....

I concur with Quids regards Rooney, I think I may have said as much in the other thread. Although not to win it, just to get past the quarter finals. England won't win it, they're hard to beat under Capello, but they still look outclassed every time they play a big side.


Spain, easily my favourites, no surprise there, and they are a very strong side, but there are teams that can undo them. A horrifically negative Italy very nearly did so in the Euros.


Obviously the old adages of tediously never writing off Brazil and Germany still hold true.

I can't see Argentina doing it, unless Messi does a Maradonna circa 1986. He's perfectly capable of turning games on his own, but I don't think he can win this tournament.


Prediction, traditional dodgy FIFA bias (see Italy and Spain in S. Korea) will see Ivory Coast ushered into the Semis and go on to win it fair and square, cue fisrt African winners, everyone happy (especially if they beat germany on penalties in the final).

I have backed Switzerland on Betfair @ 330 Long shot but pretty decent coach and if they finish 2nd in group recon they trade down to 270 where I cash in


Have laid England at 7.5 not sure why but I just cannot see us winning


Germany at 15.5 also looked good

Spain v Brazil would make a great final, but it's a rare world cup that has no early upsets/form losses/key injuries. Italy always over-perform in their horrid, negative way. I think England will do well to make the quarters, and that Netherlands look the best dark horses.
The group Brazil are in (Portugal & Ivory Coast) may mean Spain v Brazil is done in first knockout round if Brazil come 2nd in their group and Spain first in their group (which is one of weakest). The winner of the Spain knockout game is likely to face Italy in QF.

Rhinestone Cowboy Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I have backed Switzerland on Betfair @ 330 Long

> shot but pretty decent coach and if they finish

> 2nd in group recon they trade down to 270 where I

> cash in


Can you explain this please? You've put money on the Swiss to win the World Cup(?!) but only need them to get out of their group in order for you to make a profit?

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