Tips & recommendations

Will still over 300 days to go before the first ball is kicked in anger at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, there is plenty of time to scope out early betting scenes. While there are not many options around for laying your money down upon just yet, it is a good chance to pick up some longer odds, while the qualification groups start to come to a close. This could be a good chance to pick up a great price on that elusive dark horse. It is worth remembering though that the bookmakers are not about to give their money away freely, and teams which are listed at beyond 50/1 really are not going stand that much of a chance of pulling off a major shock.

With that in mind, part of placing your bets is about dreaming, though it’s not a particularly great idea to let your heart rule your head when it comes to money. But for the dream chasers out there, it can be a good time to put your money down early. Although the opportunities to do so will rest mainly on a few select fields, this could be a good time to get some longer odds whilst teams are still jostling for qualification places. There is nothing like planning ahead, and between qualification times and the World Cup itself, a lot can change with regards to a team’s fortunes.

The categories that you will be looking at as early fields of betting, will be the choice for the outright winner of the tournament, as well as the winners of the individual groups. With qualifiers still not complete yet, there is a chance to perhaps pick one of the ultimate dark horses, a nation that is on the brink of qualifying. In order to pick out someone from that category, look at the qualification groups in Europe, for example. With nine groups, and all winners of those groups being secured places, the best eight runners up will engage in two-legged play off matches to secure the last four qualification places from within Europe. This is the area where a good deal can be had.

With the likes of France, Russia, Germany and Italy all potential second place teams from the current standings, now could be the time to get your money down on the long shot. Look for the groups in which the top two are fairly secured of qualifying above the rest of the group, and pick from one of them. Their odds will be longer now than they will once qualifying is over. If you are looking for tips on who to go for, then always look for pedigree. Nations such as Germany and Italy will usually go deep into a tournament, no matter the status of their team. They possess the big stage temperament which makes them a threat, even if they are not in form going into the tournament, or through qualification.

At the moment you will be limited to picking the outright winner of the tournament, and group winners. There is still plenty of betting to be done within the qualifying group stages though, and it is a good chance to pick up some extra winnings, by again analysing the groups in which the top two are close. Study the remaining matches of the two teams and you should be able to forecast who should finish top. If you are really bold with your money then you can always follow this method and select a team who is back in third place in their group for example, with a good outside chance of sneaking second. A team which does that will likely carry excellent form into any playoff situation.

Picking the outright winner for the World Cup 2010, will likely come down to just a handful of teams. Such is the strength of favourites, such as Brazil and Spain, unless you bet big, the return is not going to be that rewarding. Bookies are currently fluctuating between the two nations as the favourite to win the tournament next year. It is from the pack behind the favourites, the teams which start out around 10/1 which will include the likes of Argentina, England, Germany, Holland and France, which will be the fun group to select from. If there is going to be a winner outside of the outright favourites, then this is where they will come from.