The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup

[Galwaybhoy]

With Englands handy group you could very well see them against France in the Q/F.  Its not a great French team so if they meet I'd expect England to win.  Have a feeling it could be England vs Brazil and Germany vs Spain in the S/F.  Though I cant see past Brazil or the Germans for this world cup.

[A Quinn Martin Production]

With Englands handy group you could very well see them against France in the Q/F.  Its not a great French team so if they meet I'd expect England to win.  Have a feeling it could be England vs Brazil and Germany vs Spain in the S/F.  Though I cant see past Brazil or the Germans for this world cup.

Interesting that you fancy Germany Galwaybhoy.  I think Ladbrokes are offering 125/1 on Germany winning the WC and Miroslav Klose being top scorer.

[Galwaybhoy]

Germany are always a good bet.  Even when they don't have a great team you can bet that they will be there or thereabouts.  The 2002 team was the worst German team that I remember yet they still made it to the final and they have improved since then.

You have your usual pretenders for the World Cup like Spain, England, Holland etc yet they can never quite pull it off.  Yes Spain are The European Champions but this is different.  They have the skill but I don't know if they have the believe to win it.  Then when you look at the other contenders you have Italy who are an aging team and I don't think they will win back to back titles, France and Argentina (who have some talent) will be held back by Raymond Domenech and Maradona respectively and that leaves Brazil and Germany who I think are the best bets for the tournament.  I see Germany are 14/1 on PaddyPower, really good odds.

[thewobbler]

Galwaybhoy, I'd say that after winning the Euros this is probably the first Spanish side that really does believe it can win a World Cup. That title lifted the underachiever monkey from their backs. As a result, it's amazing how many analysts/journalists now gloss over their continually dreadful performances on the big occasion.

But that's because they did win in the Euros, and they really should win again here. Their midfield is in a class all by itself - miles above,  their second string midfield would take up the four positions for 25+ of the other teams, they've got goalscoring forwards, they've got a settled and experienced back four, a fantastic keeper, and almost to a man they've won the biggest prizes in football bar the World Cup.

Anyone who tries to play football against them will get crucified. Strangely, I'd imagine someone who will set a stall out like like Greece actually poses a bigger threat to them than the bigger sides, but once Spain get ahead in games like this they should coast home.

[now expects them to crrash and burn badly]

[Aerlik]

There are an awful number of twats starting up/joining Facebook sites condemning France.  FFS, we had more than enough chances to beat them both at home and in Paris.  It is scunnering me no end.

Still, Viva Argentina for me!

[Galwaybhoy]

There are an awful number of t**ts starting up/joining Facebook sites condemning France.  FFS, we had more than enough chances to beat them both at home and in Paris.  It is scunnering me no end.

Still, Viva Argentina for me!

Theres nothing more annoying than The Sun 'newspaper' and their anti French rubbish they continue to spout.

[Rossie11]

Though I cant see past Brazil or the Germans for this world cup.

This should have you opening the wallet so Galwaybhoy

http://www.bettingzone.co.uk/football/betting/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=betting/10/06/07/manual_110252.html

[ross4life]

Germany got a handy enough passage to the world Cup Final in 2002, Paraguay, USA & South Korea can't see the Germans getting past the quarter finals this time

Spain won the Euros before & that still didn't improve there semi final best in the World cup they remind me a lot of Netherlands in 1990 after there euro 88 success but they flopped

Will be Interesting to see how Spain cope v defensive tactics

[A Quinn Martin Production]

Galwaybhoy, I'd say that after winning the Euros this is probably the first Spanish side that really does believe it can win a World Cup. That title lifted the underachiever monkey from their backs. As a result, it's amazing how many analysts/journalists now gloss over their continually dreadful performances on the big occasion.

But that's because they did win in the Euros, and they really should win again here. Their midfield is in a class all by itself - miles above,  their second string midfield would take up the four positions for 25+ of the other teams, they've got goalscoring forwards, they've got a settled and experienced back four, a fantastic keeper, and almost to a man they've won the biggest prizes in football bar the World Cup.

Anyone who tries to play football against them will get crucified. Strangely, I'd imagine someone who will set a stall out like like Greece actually poses a bigger threat to them than the bigger sides, but once Spain get ahead in games like this they should coast home.

[now expects them to crrash and burn badly]

To be fair they've three great keepers and couldn't find a place for David DeGea of whom great things are predicted.

[tyroneboi]

ppower offering odds on how many england players will sing the national anthem.

Between 4-6, 5/2
7-9, 11/10
10-11 2/1

by my reckoning the england team will be;
james/green,
johnson king terry cole
lennon gerr lamps jcole/carrick (carrick maybe in the middle with gerrad on left)
crouch rooney

james and green both sing anthem
as do terry and a. cole. johnson kind of mumbles it, while king doesnt appear to sing it
gerrard, lampard and jcole/carrick sing it. lennon doesnt
crouch does and rooney doesnt it

that means 8 sing it including johnson. ill be lumping on the 11/10. ive watched about 20 england national anthems on youtube to find this out

replacements in case others get injured; milner - doesnt sing, carra-no, upson-yes, heskey-no

How much are you going to lump on jockey? Sounds like you have definitely done your research and 7-9 seems the bet.

Edit: just seen that odds have been lowered to 8/11. Plenty of people must have done their research as well.

[stiffler]

Whats the liklehood of this startin XI for england?

Green, Johnson, Cole, A, Terry, King, Lennon, Lampard, Gerrard, Cole, J, Crouch, Rooney

currently 5/1 on skybet. looks good odds?

[paco]

Whats the liklehood of this startin XI for england?

Green, Johnson, Cole, A, Terry, King, Lennon, Lampard, Gerrard, Cole, J, Crouch, Rooney

currently 5/1 on skybet. looks good odds?

Good odds alright, although I'd be very surprised if it wasn't David James in nets.

[mountainboii]

Whats the liklehood of this startin XI for england?

Green, Johnson, Cole, A, Terry, King, Lennon, Lampard, Gerrard, Cole, J, Crouch, Rooney

currently 5/1 on skybet. looks good odds?

Good odds alright, although I'd be very surprised if it wasn't David James in nets.

That front six looks very attacking too. Maybe they'll just roll with that against the shite teams in the group stage, but Cole or Crouch will drop out for Carrick/ Barry against the better teams.

[Capt Pat]

Odds are poor on that bet, there are so many permutations and combinations, illnesses and injuries that will mess up that bet. It is not a bad prediction, but poor odds.

[A Quinn Martin Production]

I'd say Heskey will start in place of Crouchinho