From 32 down to eight teams in under 2 weeks, the World Cup of soccer has been its usual dramatic self, with everything from non-goals, phantom penalties and countless players leaving the field on stretchers only to return a few seconds later completely unscathed.
The U.S. made an inspired run to the round of 16 only to be dispatched by Ghana, and the defending Champion Italians didn?t even win a game, let alone make it out of the first stage.
Now its down to eight teams.
Brazil, Spain, Germany were all teams expected to advance deep into the World Cup, but the surprising result of these first two rounds is the fact that there are four South American teams represented in the final eight, out of only five teams that qualified for the region.
Only three of the 13 European teams have made it to this stage of the tournament, and only a single team from the host continent of Africa.
Current 2010 World Cup Odds to Win:
Argentina ? +325
Brazil ? +225
Germany ? +700
Ghana ? +3300
Netherlands ? +650
Paraguay ? +3300
Spain ? +275
Uruguay ? +1200
Spain and Brazil are almost identical favorites, and most predict that they will face each other in the World Cup Final, but Argentina is showing some value with World Cup winning odds of +325, an attractive bet for an underdog. Argentina certainly has the firepower and momentum to upset both the Spanish and Brazilians, so if you?re feeling like cheering for a ?medium-shot?, Argentina is your bet.
For me, its the Spanish, and I would also love to see that solid Dutch defense upset the Brazilians. Don?t think it will happen though.
The U.S. made an inspired run to the round of 16 only to be dispatched by Ghana, and the defending Champion Italians didn?t even win a game, let alone make it out of the first stage.
Now its down to eight teams.
Brazil, Spain, Germany were all teams expected to advance deep into the World Cup, but the surprising result of these first two rounds is the fact that there are four South American teams represented in the final eight, out of only five teams that qualified for the region.
Only three of the 13 European teams have made it to this stage of the tournament, and only a single team from the host continent of Africa.
Current 2010 World Cup Odds to Win:
Argentina ? +325
Brazil ? +225
Germany ? +700
Ghana ? +3300
Netherlands ? +650
Paraguay ? +3300
Spain ? +275
Uruguay ? +1200
Spain and Brazil are almost identical favorites, and most predict that they will face each other in the World Cup Final, but Argentina is showing some value with World Cup winning odds of +325, an attractive bet for an underdog. Argentina certainly has the firepower and momentum to upset both the Spanish and Brazilians, so if you?re feeling like cheering for a ?medium-shot?, Argentina is your bet.
For me, its the Spanish, and I would also love to see that solid Dutch defense upset the Brazilians. Don?t think it will happen though.
