World Cup fever is building
Most visitors to this site don’t have a huge amount of interest in soccer, perhaps. But it is the world’s biggest sport and, as the game’s biggest competition approaches, it promises to be a very special one in the country that has made the sport its own more than any other – Brazil.
The last time the World Cup was held in the country was way back when in 1950. On that occasion, the hosts lost out to nearby neighbors Uruguay who were much more of a force to be reckoned with in those days.
Interestingly, though, Uruguay have their own strongest team for quite some time – with a particularly potent striker up front in the shape of Liverpool’s Luis Suarez.
As things stand, the host nation are favorites with Betfair.com to life the trophy on their home soil at a little over 3-1. As Betfair is the world’s biggest gambling exchange, the odds tend, on the whole to be slightly more generous than with traditional bookmakers. So what’s particularly interesting is that Brazil have been sliding a little in the market as other nations have come in a little. Perhaps Brazil will feel the pressure of playing in front of such a partisan and fanatical crowd?
Who really knows; but Germany and Argentina are expected to pose particularly strong challenges and are currently joint second favorites with Betfair at around 5-1.
Next up in the betting are holders Spain at around 11/2 with Betfair. Spain have managed the unique feat of winning three major soccer tournaments in a row – having won the European Championships in 2008 and 2012, along with the 2010 South Africa World Cup in between. What’s more – they’ve managed it in fine form and haver three of the strongest clubs in world football in Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and Barcelona, staffed mainly with domestic players, so they’ll surely be a force to be reckoned with yet again.
The tournament opens on June 12th as the home nation play relative minnows – and closes on Sunday 13th July in Rio’s famous Maracana stadium. So who’ll be there this time?
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