uruguay

Uruguay V Holland

Tuesday, 6th July – 19:30 (GMT)
FIFA World Cup, Semi-Final

Pre-tournament, Holland blew Ghana, who finished as a losing quarter-finalist, and Hungary, a team which pushed both Denmark and Portugal close in qualifying, completely out of the water with 4-1 and 6-1 victories respectively. Bert Van Marwijk’s men demonstrated their forward potential in those two pre-World Cup friendlies and it made the rest of the footballing world stand up and take notice that the Dutch were once again in town to cause havoc in front of goal. With five games down; Group E, Round of 16 and the quarter-final all conquered, Holland have only managed eight goals and it’s a far cry from the form shown in the weeks leading up to the finals. Granted they’ve played against stiffer opposition, but from a punter’s point of view it’s restricted the amount of goalscorer success so far in these finals, with Holland yet to even surpass the two goal marker.

Holland’s leading scorer so far in South Africa isn’t necessarily a player you would have hand-picked beforehand, although he’s exceptionally talented at what he does nonetheless. Wesley Sneijder (7/1 Bet365), a treble winner with Inter Milan, leads the way for Holland with four goals and has a three goal cushion over the remaining Dutch scorers of Dirk Kuyt (8/1 PaddyPower), Robin Van Persie (5/1 Coral), Arjen Robben (6/1 Ladbrokes) and Klass-Jan Huntelaar. It was Sneijder’s two goals against Brazil in the previous round which produced the biggest shock of these finals thus far, and anyone who can locate the back of Brazil’s goal twice in a single game is rightly considered a prime contender to score in the next encounter, which just so happens to be against lesser opposition in Uruguay.

BUT, we still don’t rate his chances of opening the scoring tomorrow. His brace against the Brazilians was a mixture of being in the right place at the right time and somehow scabbing a goal which should have never of been his – with FIFA awarding Sneijder with Holland’s first goal despite the ball clearly coming off Felipe Melo as the ball somehow found its way to the back of the net. Moreover, Snejder is an architect at heart, footballing wise, at his primary concern on Tuesday will be to create chances, whether that be for Van Persie or the onrushing wingers; Robben and Kuyt. Of course, the Inter Milan play-maker has never been afraid to have a pop from distance, while he does take the odd set-piece here and there.

Robin Van Persie should be the first name to spring to mind but his miserable displays so far mean he is of little value, especially at odds of around 5/1. He does take some of their free-kicks, and with that gifted left-foot of his anything can happen. Instead, however, the wide players of Dirk Kuyt and Arjen Robben boast more punting appeal.

Fans and followers of the Premiership will know all about Dirk Kuyt‘s antics inside the oppositions penalty area, always ready and waiting to sniff out a chance and is so often the player at which the ball somehow lands at his feet with the goal gaping. He’s also a master at pouncing on rebounds, and in a team where a number of players look to shoot from distance, he’ll fancy his chances of poking one home from close range.

Arjen Robben needs little introduction. He was superb for his club Bayern Munich last season when scoring 23 goals from a wide position, while it hasn’t taken him long to make an impact for Holland in South Africa despite playing just two and a bit games. Almost his first touch of the ball in these finals was a blistering shot from just outside the box against Cameroon, to which his effort smashed off the woodwork and into the path of Huntelaar, who scored his first of the tournament. He opened the scoring against Slovakia with a trademark Arjen Robben goal. Because he plays on the right, being primarily left-footed, it enables Robben to cut inside and have a strike at goal on his favoured foot. Against Slovakia, Robben found the bottom right-hand corner of the goal with deadly perfection. He wasn’t as effective against Brazil but he did play a part in getting Felipe Melo sent off, as well as winding everyone up with his persistent diving.

There’s little chance of anyone else scoring for Holland, although Giovanni Van Bronckhorst (50/1 Coral) has been known to take strides forward before unleashing a whizzing effort from distance. In 104 caps though, the Holland skipper has scored just five times.

For Uruguay, it’s difficult to see past Diego Forlan (17/2 Bet365) scoring now that Luis Suarez (3 Goals) is suspended. Edinson Cavani (14/1 Bet365) will no doubt lead the line once again but he hasn’t looked like scoring in any of their games so far, but Cavani could have a new striking partner in Sebastian Abreu (12/1 Bet365) were Oscar Tabarez to opt for the same formation which has served Uruguay well in these finals up till now, with Forlan playing just off the two strikers. Abreu shown us he was a cool customer when calmly and coolly sticking away the winning spot-kick against Ghana in the previous round, so could be a decent bet what with having an abundance of composure. He doesn’t have a too bad record for his country either, accumulating a total of 26 goals in 58 senior appearances. Boasting a better ratio than Luis Suarez and Diego Forlan, whilst it puts Cavani’s 2 goals in 17 internationals well and truly in the shade.

If you’re looking for some outside value then why not take a chance on Diego Lugano (33/1 Ladbrokes). The Uruguay captain has a 10% strike rate while on international duty ( 4 Goals in 47 Caps) and is one of those players who isn’t afraid to stick his head in where it hurts. He will be a threat from set-plays throughout and appears the only piece of value outside of the forward trio.

Goalscorer Tips:

Dirk Kuyt First Goalscorer – 8/1 PaddyPower
Giovanni Van Bronckhorst (Value Punt) – 50/1 Coral

Sebastian Abreu First Goalscorer – 12/1 Bet365
Diego Lugano (Value Punt) – 33/1 Ladbrokes

PaddyPower ‘Bore-Draw’ Promotion: If this game finishes 0-0, our Irish friends will refund all losing First Goalscorer bets, as well as losing Correct Score, Last Goalscorer and Scorecast bets.

It doesn’t take a genius to work out that a player will score more goals during a football tournament if he plays more games. Therefore, it’s little surprise that only five men can win the 2010 World Cup Golden Shoe and that the quintet are all playing for teams left in the competition.

It’s been a highly competitive betting market this summer which saw Gonzalo Higuain installed as early favourite after a hat-trick against South Korea took the Argentina striker well clear of the chasing pack. However, the Real Madrid forward was only able to add one more goal to his tally and was leapfrogged by a Spanish striker in the form of his life on Saturday night.

David Villa has been nothing short of phenomenal in South Africa, with the Barcelona forward scoring in every match since that opening game defeat against Switzerland. His late winner against Paraguay has taken him a goal clear at the top of the scoring charts and he may not need to find the net again to add a world award to the European one that was landed two years ago. The 28-year-old is no bigger than 7/10 on betfair, with the fixed-odds firms no bigger than 8/15 (Sporting Bet).

Perhaps Villa will struggle to get any change out of Philipp Lahm, the German right-back and captain who is one of the best in the business. The Bayern Munich player will be looking to also get forward and support his club team-mate Miroslav Klose, who seems to turn from Clark Kent to Superman when he dons the international colours. Four years ago, the Munchen forward won the Golden Shoe and he’s 4/1 (Paddy Power) to repeat this achievement. If you back him at 4/1 and he dead heats with one other player, you will get half your stake paid at odds of 2/1.

Meanwhile Wesley Sneijder is right in the thick of things after FIFA made the odd decision to award Holland’s opening goal against Brazil to the Inter midfielder. Although the ball took a clear deflection off the head of Felipe Melo, the football body’s Technical Study Group has decided that the Netherlands’ number ten is worthy of the goal and that means he’s on four for the tournament with Uruguay lying in wait. Totesport offer a stand-out 12/1 that he finishes top of the pile and it’s possible that his team will fill their boots against the south Americans.

The final player in contention  is Diego Forlan, who stands on three goals after firing a brace home against South Africa and then managing an equaliser against Ghana on Friday night. The Atletico Madrid striker has been crucial to the team’s progress at this World Cup, although it’s asking a lot for him to manage a brace against the Netherlands, especially with strike partner Luis Suarez missing suspended. Ladbrokes offer 25/1 that the former Manchester United forward gets the goals he needs.

Friday 2nd July was the most exciting day of the World Cup so far, with the first two quarter final matches being played at Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg respectively. While neither games were classic encounters, both contained plenty of drama and saw the eventual victors come from behind to triumph and set up an intriguing contest in Cape Town next Tuesday.

During their last eight match against Brazil, the Netherlands were available at around 30/1 on betfair’s outright market, with nothing to suggest that this team were going to overcome a 1-0 deficit at half-time. Bert van Marwijk’s team had seemed short of ideas and the Selecao had spurned several chances to double their advantage. However, a spirited second half comeback from the Dutch means they are now the 9/4 favourites (Paddy Power) to win their first ever World Cup.

Holland could have been backed at 7/2 with Blue Square to win their match with Brazil and they were certainly helped by the opposition shooting themselves in the foot. Goalkeeper Julio Cesar made an uncharacteristic mistake to allow the opposition to equalise and the south Americans seemed to crumble shortly afterwards.

It was noticeable on the outright market that, as soon as Bert van Marwijk’s team took the lead, the odds on Spain winning their first ever World Cup began to contract. Vicente Del Bosque’s team had been around 3/1 before the Netherlands v Brazil game, although William Hill actually make them the 2/1 favourites even before they have played their quarter final match against Paraguay (and knowing that they will have to beat Germany or Argentina to make the final).

This shortening of Spanish odds is partly because it was felt that Brazil might have the players to nullify La Furia Roja if the two teams met in the final, although the removal of Dunga’s men makes Spain arguably the best side remaining in the 2010 World Cup. However, it’s interesting to note that the odds on Argentina (4/1 Sporting Bet) and Germany (6/1 Sky Bet) have barely changed in contrast.

As for Uruguay, they must have been ready to pack their suitcases after a Luis Suarez handball in the last minute of extra-time against Ghana seemed certain to help the Black Stars become the first African team to progress beyond the quarter final stage of the World Cup. However, Asamoah Gyan’s missed penalty allowed La Celeste to go through on spot kicks themselves and it will be great news for the shrewd punters who backed them at 25/1 shortly after Oscar Tabarez’s team beat Mexico to be sure of top spot in Group A.

The draw has been kind to the south American team who are now as short as 8/1 (Paddy Power) to win their first World Cup for sixty years, although Boylesports are a bit bigger with their 12/1 quote that Uruguay go all the way. They will be missing Suarez for the match in Cape Town, although the pressure will be off them as underdogs.

Uruguay V Ghana Preview

Kick-off: Friday, 2nd July – 19:30 GMT
Venue: Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg
World Cup Quarter-Final 

Uruguay

Back in the day when Uruguay were a genuine powerhouse when it came to international football and major tournaments, a semi-final appearance wouldn’t be as coveted and celebrated as it is perhaps now, more the norm, but La Celesta have a golden opportunity to return to the glory days when they entertain Ghana in the South Africa capital aiming to make the semi-final of a FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1970. With three wins from four games and an unbeaten status to protect, there’s little reason to doubt the South American’s bid to make the last-four cut at the expense of a country carrying a continents burden.

Uruguay’s claim to fame in the tournament so far has been two lethal forwards. Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez both arrived in South Africa with formidable reputations, scoring goals freely and prolifically at club level but needing to prove something or two to either past or potentially new employers. Former Manchester United Flop, Diego Forlan, got the ball rolling with a double against the hosts, South Africa, but it’s been the Suarez show ever since, as the player lined up by many of Europe’s giant clubs scored the winner against Mexico which ensured Uruguay topped Group A, followed by a classy double in the Round of 16 against a stubborn and resilient South Korea. No doubt the pair are worth a fair few bob or two, Suarez’s in particular will rise significantly should he add to the three he already has under his belt and continue his pursuit of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot.

The man at the Uruguay helm also deserves plenty of credit, after all this is a country which needed a second chance in order to make the finals when beating Costa Rica 2-1 on aggregate in a play-off. Nevertheless, like good teams do, they’ve taken their chance and now look to have every chance or surpassing yet more expectations. Extremely well disciplined and organised at the back, combative in midfield and deadly up front. The fundamentals into how and why Uruguay have enjoyed so much success up till now. With coach Oscar Tabarez facing up to few pre-game player worries, defender Diego Godin the only concern with a niggling knock, we should be treated to the same Uruguay which has taken to both life in South Africa and the unusual challenges they’ve faced magnificently.

Ghana

At the very beginning of the tournament there were six representatives from the African continent. Two weeks on and Ghana are the last African standing, now shouldering the weight, or burden, of a continent desperate to see one of their own lift the FIFA World Cup for the very first time. Now that’s a whole lot of pressure weighing down upon every single Ghana player that steps onto the field on Friday, in the knowledge that a single mistake will have this ripple effect throughout Africa. Up till now they’ve proven they can handle the hype, certainly no signs of them wilting under the pressure thus far, but with the competition now at its nitty-gritty stage, will some of Ghana’s younger generation be found wanting as men are now needed to come to the World Cup fort.

In Group D, Ghana needed a superior goal difference to see them through while they required some extra-time heroics from forward Asamoah Gyan to edge them past the United States in a nervy encounter, so up till now it’s been a case of fine margins for Milovan Rajevac’s team, who now faces the biggest managerial game of his career knowing that changes have been forced upon them and that he must ensure he makes the correct decisions leading up to the biggest game in the country’s history. As well as having Jonathan Mensah and Ayew suspended, Kevin-Prince Boateng and Asamoah Gyan are in races against time to be fit for the Uruguay clash leaving coach Rajevac with enough food for thought to turn his stomach. The latter two have been in inspired form for Ghana the whole tournament, with Gyan’s three strikes thus far instrumental in Ghana even getting this far. Without him, as well as Boateng’s determined attitude, which has seemingly proved infectious, in the centre of the park, Ghana will struggle and look frighteningly lightweight in every aspect.

You’ll struggle to find a group of individuals that work harder as a collective unit than Ghana, remaining compact and disciplined at the back whilst looking both classy and dangerous when striding forward. The coach has them well drilled all over the pitch but it’s their enthusiasm for the game, their determination and hunger to succeed not just on a personal level but continentally. They know just what winning means to Africa as a whole and it’s how they’ve fed off the support which has kept them alive and well thus far, but also it has helped them to bridge the gaps put in front of them. They surprised many when they recorded a 1-0 win over Serbia, a team many believed to be a serious outside player, but they even more outstanding against the irrepressible Germans despite falling to a 1-0 loss. Ghana are clearly thriving off the support they’ve been blessed with so far and it wouldn’t be too much of a surprise to see them reach another level of amazement, to raise their game a further level of two in order to get the result they and Africa are urging them towards.

Match Odds:

Uruguay – 2.10 Bet365
Draw – 3.25 SkyBet
Ghana – 4.20 Ladbrokes

Our Betting Tip: Uruguay to WIN – 2.10 Bet365

For all the tenacious spirit inside the Ghana camp, there’s too much forward quality in the Uruguay corner to ignore. In a match where chances are likely to be few and far between, a game where neither side will want to hand the initiative over too cheaply, it may well take a moment of sheer brilliance to separate the two sides come full-time and in Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez, Uruguay have two likely match winners.

Two defences which has proven to be solid and dependable throughout the tournament, with Uruguay conceding just the one goal in four games and Ghana three, so the scoring should be restricted somewhat. We’re on a Uruguay victory mainly because of their forwards in comparison to Ghana’s only notable striker – Asamoah Gyan – who is carrying a knock into this clash.

Recommended Bet: Uruguay to WIN by 1 Goal – 3.75 Bet365

Current Uruguay v Ghana Odds:

Argentina

Argentina have kept their discpline in these finals, having received just five cautions after four games. Jonas Gutierrez has two but has already served a suspension, but Javier Mascherano and Gabriel Heinze are two players which could pick up another yellow against Germany on Friday and would then miss the semi-final against either Spain or Paraguay.

Brazil

Dunga has his work cut out with injuries, as Elano is ruled out of Friday’s encounter with Holland while Felipe Melo and Julio Baptista are major doubts. A highly likely replacement for Melo would have been Benfica’s Ramires, but his second yellow card of the tournament against Chile in the previous round means he will serve out a one-game suspension. Kaka, Luis Fabiano and Juan are all one caution away from missing the semi-final against either Uruguay or Ghana.

Germany

It has been well documented that Bastian Schweinsteiger and Mesut Ozil have been nursing injuries, or knocks, but both are likely to start after playing pivotals roles in dismantling England in the previous round. However, Cacau has been ruled out entirely from featuing against Argentina on Friday, while Lukas Podolski missed some training in the lead up to the big game although is expected to start nonetheless. There are, though, a host of key players on the verge of missing the semi-final, should Germany qualify, through suspension; Per Mertesacker, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mesut Ozil, Thomas Muller, Philip Lahm and Arne Friedrich.

Ghana

Jonathan Mensah leaves coach Rajevac with a defensive void to fill, as the centre-half serves out a one-game suspension, as does Andre Ayew. It is, however, the news that Kevin-Prince Boateng, who opened the scoring against the United States in a 2-1 Round of 16 victory, is a massive doubt to feature against Uruguay on Friday, while three-goal forward Asamoah Gyan is recovering from an ankle injury sustained in that USA win. The latter is, however, expected to be fit in time for Friday’s showdown. Anthony Annan, Prince Tagoe, Isaac Vorsah and Lee Addy are one yellow card away from a suspension.

Holland

To the sheer delight of the Dutch contingency over in South Africa, Arjen Robben has seemingly found a new bill of health and after starting against Slovakia in the previous round, scoring the opener as well, Robben is set to start his second game in succession against Brazil. He remains Van Mariwjk’s only injury concern, while no player will serve out a suspension, although a whole host are one caution away from doing so; Stekelenberg, Van Der Wiel, Van Bronckhorst, Kuyt, Nigel de Jong, Robin Van Persie, Van der Vaart and Boulahrouz.

Paraguay

We haven’t been made aware of any injury setbacks, so coach Gerado Martino should have a full squad of 23 fit players to choose from, which is just as well considering their next assignment is against the current European champions, Spain. Their star man, Roque Santa Cruz, is a card away from missing a potential semi-final, as are Enrique Vera and Cristian Riveros.

Spain

Coach Vicente Del Bosque doesn’t appear to have any apparent absentee’s, although there are several carrying knocks or nursing minor injuries; Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Fernando Torres three of note. Xabi Alonso is the only player to receive a caution for Spain in the whole tournament so far, so only a red card would stop any of Spain’s stars from participating in the semi-final.

Uruguay

Nicolas Lideiro has already served a one-game suspension, but other than that manager Oscar Tabarez has little to worry his cotton socks over ahead of a daunting last-eight clash against the team the whole of Africa will be supporting in Ghana. Diego Lugano, Jorge Fucile and Mauricio Victorino are just a yellow card away from missing a tasty last-four encounter against either Brazil or Holland.

While we have done our utmost to notify everyone of any suspensions and injuries, we cannot guarantee that every piece of suspension/injury news will be reported. We will, however, update when and if we hear any news whenever necessary.

On Friday 11th June, South Africa and Mexico got the 2010 World Cup under way, although they and twenty-two other teams have bitten the dust as we now enter the business end of the competition. We have waved goodbye to England, France and Italy along the way and now have eight sides battling it out to be kings of the planet.

Interestingly, the USA are the only group winner not to be involved in the quarter finals, with Ghana’s passage meaning that Group D still has two representatives in the competition. The Black Stars are bidding to become the first African team to win the World Cup and the draw has been relatively kind to them. Friday night’s match against Uruguay will have Milovan Rajevac dreaming of glory and you can get 40/1 (William Hill) about them making history.

However, it’s probably fair to say that just five teams can now win the 2010 World Cup and it’s Brazil who currently head the market at odds of 5/2 (Sporting Bet). The Selecao sit in the easier half of the draw (they would play Uruguay or Ghana in the semis) and have barely put a foot wrong since beating North Korea in the opening match. Manager Dunga has assembled an excellent defence and the team were devastating on the counter-attack against Chile in the last sixteen.

Hot on their heels in the outright market is Spain at odds of 3/1 (Ladbrokes). The competition is much richer for the presence of Vicente Del Bosque’s team, who have given supporters and backers plenty of nervous moments already in this tournament. La Furia Roja are clearly the best passing team in the World Cup, although the defence has a fragility which has already seen Switzerland beat them in the group stages.

The next two teams in the betting will meet each other in Saturday afternoon’s quarter final and it’s hard to split Argentina and Germany for this Cape Town clash. Diego Maradona’s team are 9/2 (William Hill) to land the spoils twenty-four years after the manager did so as a player, although many think that this Albiceleste defence hasn’t yet been tested and the Germans might be the team to do so. Even so, it’s hard to argue with the attacking prowess of Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain, with Angel Di Maria providing plenty of inspiration from midfield.

Germany are available at odds of 15/2 (Sky Bet) to win the World Cup for the first time since becoming a unified nation but they will have to do things the hard way! Having disposed of England in the last sixteen stage, they now face Argentina before potential matches against Spain and then Brazil! It’s an incredible task facing Joachim Loew’s young team, although they are looking fearless and perhaps Die Mannschaft will benefit from having youth on its side.

Holland are the fifth team who have a chance of winning the competition, although the Netherlands have been something of an enigma. Sporting Bet offer 15/2 that Bert van Marwijk’s team win the 2010 World Cup, although this team haven’t really lived up to their billing and will need to show improvement against Brazil or they will go out.

We’re now down to the quarter final stage of the 2010 World Cup as teams get down to the serious business of winning the 19th renewal of this illustrious competition. Seven countries have been victorious since the inaugural tournament was held in 1930 and four of them are still standing in South Africa, with England, France and Italy no more.

The question is – will we see a new name on the trophy? Or will Brazil, Argentina, Germany or Uruguay continue to keep the World Cup winner’s club to an exclusive band of teams? The bookies offer 4/7 (Paddy Power) that the old guard are triumphant, while you can get odds of 13/8 (Sporting Bet) that we see a new winner – Spain being the most likely to achieve this.

Meanwhile, you can also bet on which continent will provide the winner of the 2010 World Cup. At the start of the tournament, Europe were the overwhelming favourite, although that was before France and Italy decided to implode at the group stage! Ladbrokes now make South America the odds-on favourite (8/13), with Europe on offer at 11/10 and Africa the rank outsider at 33/1 (Blue Square).

Several bookmakers have also resurrected their ‘Name the Finalists’ market now that we’re down to eight teams. Brazil appear to feature in the easy half of the draw, so it’s no surprise to see the Selecao included in many short-priced combinations. Many people’s idea of a dream final is Brazil v Spain and that’s the slight favourite at odds of 3/1 (Sky Bet). However, if you think it will be an all-South American final for the first time since 1950 (!), Brazil squaring off against Argentina is on offer at 9/2 (Paddy Power).

The Dutch will surely have a gameplan to try and overcome their Brazilian opponents in the quarter final and victory would leave them well placed to reach the final for the first time since 1978. They lost to Argentina that year and the bookies make the prospect of the two teams playing each other a 9/1 chance (Paddy Power).

There’s also an interesting competition to see which team can score the most World Cup goals during this tournament. In case you haven’t been counting (!), Argentina and Germany both have nine goals and Brazil have managed eight. It looks to be a three-horse race and it’s the latter who are the 11/10 favourites on betfair, especially as the other two teams play each other.

Although Spain are unlikely to win that particular market, it’s Vicente Del Bosque’s team that are favourites to be Top European Team. Few people would have expected just three sides from this continent to remain at the quarter final stage, although the Spanish are 4/6 (bet365) to land the spoils, compared to the 3/1 (Paddy Power) on offer about Germany and the 7/2 (bet365) that it’s the Netherlands who are top European dogs.

After finishing second in Group C, the England squad knew they had to do things the hard way to reach the World Cup final, although the same applies to Germany even though Die Mannschaft finished top of Group D. Victory over the Three Lions on Sunday was comfortable enough, although they now face Argentina on Saturday afternoon before a potential semi final against Spain and final against Brazil or Holland!

It means that Germany are still 7/1 (Sporting Bet) to win the 2010 World Cup, although this young team certainly have the potential to go all the way. While they are without captain Michael Ballack for this tournament, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sami Khedira have stepped up to the mark and midfielder Mesut Ozil has been a revelation in a free role behind the strikers.

The main concern would probably be in defence, with Schalke’s Manuel Neuer inexperienced between the sticks, while the same applies to the 21-year-old Jerome Boateng in central defence. However, Phillip Lahm and Arne Friedrich are excellent full-backs, with the former regularly getting forward in this World Cup to support the team’s attacking players.

It was something of a surprise to see them as outsiders to beat England and the bookmakers are happy to take on Klose, Podolski and Co when they meet Argentina at Greenpoint Stadium. Ladbrokes offer 5/2 that we see another German victory in ninety minutes, although La Albiceleste have not been convincing in defence either.

Meanwhile, Argentina are now no bigger than 7/2 (bet365) to win the 2010 World Cup following their 3-1 win over Mexico. There was an element of fortune about the way the team took the lead after Carlos Tevez’s offside goal was allowed to stand, although they are certainly an attacking force who have racked up nine goals so far.

Uruguay have been the biggest market movers on the outright betting since beating Mexico to finish top of Group A last Tuesday. Paddy Power originally installed them as 25/1 to go all the way, although the way that the draw has worked out in addition to their 2-1 win over South Korea now means that La Celeste are 12/1 (Ladbrokes) to win the World Cup for the third occasion.

Despite also making the quarter finals, Ghana are given less chance of glory by the bookmakers. The Black Stars are now just three games away from becoming the first African team to win the World Cup, although firms are still regarding this as a remote possibility and Sporting Bet offer 33/1 that Milovan Rajevac steers them to success. Then again, they will regard a quarter final match against Uruguay as winnable and don’t forget that this team reached the final of the African Nations Cup in January.

Bet365 continue to run with their World Cup penalty payback promotion, where you will get your stake refunded if the team you have backed on the outright loses on spot kicks. With Germany beating Argentina on penalties in the 2006 World Cup, it’s worth considering!