Group Stage Winner Predictions

Group A

Teams : South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France

Predicted Winner : France @ 10/11 with Bet365.com
Predicted Runner-up : Mexico @ 10/11 to Qualify with PaddyPower.com or 19/5 to Win with WilliamHill.com

I think there is a possibility of some surprises in this group. However, we have gone with the favourites France to find their form and progress to the next stages. Both Mexico and Uruguay will be tough opponents and should be fighting it out for second place. South Africa are this years hosts and although the host has, in the past, always done well and progressed past the group stages, we feel this year could, unfortunately, be a disappointing year for South Africa.

Outside bet : South Africa to qualify from Group A @ 2/1 with WilliamHill.com

Group B

Teams : South Korea, Argentina, Nigeria, Greece

Predicted Winner : Argentina @ 8/15 with Bet365.com
Predicted Runner-up : Nigeria @ 1/1 to Qualify with PaddyPower.com or 4/1 to Win with Ladbrokes.com

With the likes of Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez in the Argentina side they are big favourites to win Group B. Second place is a little harder to predict. I don’t think many people would be surprised to see any of the other 3 teams progress past the group stage as they all have quality in their sides. We have chosen Nigeria to come up with the goods and perform in the group stages, although I would class this as a 3-star bet.

Outside bet : Greece to Qualify @ 5/4 with PaddyPower.com or South Korea to Qualify @ 11/4 with WilliamHill.com

Group C

Teams : England, USA, Slovenia, Algeria

Predicted Winner : England : @ 9/25 with BetFair.com
Predicted Runner-up : USA @ 4/7 to Qualify with PaddyPower.com or 5/1 to Win with Bet365.com

England are our tip to reach the 2010 World Cup finals and we are sure there is enough quality in the side to easily see of the likes of the USA, Slovenia and Algeria. Wayne Rooney is in the form of his life and should net a few goals in the group stages.

The USA are a strong side and will be disappointed with anything less than qualifying. Both these bets are great value and will see a lot of action prior to the World Cup kick-off date.

Group D

Teams : Ghana, Australia, Serbia, Germany

Predicted Winner : Germany @ 10/11 with Ladbrokes.com
Predicted Runner-up : Ghana @ 5/4 to Qualify with WilliamHill.com or 4/1 to Win with Bet365.com

Germany are a strong force every 4 years in the World Cup and there is no reason they shouldn’t progress past the group stages. Odds of 10/11 at Ladbrokes.com for them to Win Group D should not be missed.

Again we find it hard to predict a second place, however, Ghana have proved to be a great side in the qualifying stages and if they can bring that form to South Africa they will likely be favourites to finish runners-up.

Outside bet : Serbia to Qualify @ 11/10 with PaddyPower.com

Group E

Teams : Netherlands, Denmark, Cameroon, Japan

Predicted Winner : Netherlands @ 8/13 with Bet365.com
Predicted Runner-up : Cameroon @ 6/5 to Qualify with WilliamHill.com or 4/1 to Win with Bet365.com

Group E is probably one of the toughest groups to predict. Netherlands have great quality and have shown form in the qualifying rounds, which is why they are backed as group favourites. Although Denmark won their qualifying group against Portugal Sweden and Hungary, we think that Cameroon, who are in their home continent, will do enough to gain a qualifying place in group E.

Outside bet : Denmark to Qualify @ 6/5 with WilliamHill.com

Group F

Teams : Italy, Paraguay,New Zealand, Slovakia

Predicted Winner : Italy @ 1/2 with Ladbrokes.com
Predicted Runner-up : Paraguay @ 1/2 to Qualify with PaddyPower.com or 7/2 to Win with Bet365.com

Not too many people will be betting against Italy not acquiring a top finish in Group F. The current World Cup holders will be looking to retain the cup and should proceed fairly easily through their group. You can get 1/2 for Italy to finish top of their group at Ladbrokes.com which seems like a great bet. Their only competition should be Paraguay, although even they shouldn’t be too much of an effort to see off.

Outside bet : Slovakia to Win group F @ 8/1 with Bet365.com

Group G

Teams : Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast, Portugal

Predicted Winner : Brazil @ 4/6 with Ladbrokes.com and PaddyPower.com
Predicted Runner-up : Portugal @ 4/6 to Qualify with PaddyPower.com or 371/100 to Win with Betfair.com

Group G, named the ‘Group of Death’, is perhaps the best group to bet on. You can get some great odds for winners and qualifiers if you can pick a winner. However, there lies the problem. All four teams in Group G have quality in their side and all could go far in the tournament. On paper, Brazil should finish top, followed by Portugal, Ivory Coast and finally North Korea. Brazil is a great bet at 4/6 to finish top, although there will be tough competition from Portugal and Ivory Coast. We think there is enough quality in the Brazilian side to go far in this competition and the group stage is no different from any other match they will have to overcome to lift the cup.

The real fight will be between Portugal and Ivory Coast for the second qualifying place. We have chosen Portugal to tip it as they have players such as Ronaldo, Pepe and Deco who, on their day, can out-class anyone. We also feel that the Ivory Coast team may slip up at some point during the group stage which cannot be done without punishment in this group.

Outside bet : North Korea to Qualify @ 12/1 with WilliamHill.com

Group H

Teams : Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile

Predicted Winner : Spain
Predicted Runner-up : Chile

Spain are a lot of peoples favourites to lift the cup this year and so it is no surprise we have backed them to finish top of Group H. Second place is hit or miss as any of the other three teams have a good chance of qualifying, with Honduras being the slight outsiders.

We chose Chile to qualify alongside Spain as an impressive set of performances in the qualifying stages and an enthusiastic looking squad make them a good choice to be the underdogs in this competition.

Outside bet : Chile to Finish top and Spain to finish second in Group H @ 4/1 with Betfair.com

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