So this World Cup (soccer) - who's in with the best chance of winning?

Spain and Brazil are the favorites, according to the oddsmakers.

Third and fourth place: Germany v Italy
Germany will win it. They always win, they will only lose from the Netherlands.

Final: Brazil v Netherlands
Brazil will win it. Because the Netherlands always lose WC finals.

Brazil in the sweep stake? Well that’s you in with a shout then. Brazil always turn up, Spain had their glory at Euro 2008, long time coming I might add. Italy along with France & Germany busted flush, Ivory Coast could spring a suprise & go far but striker Didier Drogba may be ruled out with a fractured arm, Argentina would be my idea of potential winners despite Maradona’s woeful management skills.However let’s cut to the chase here, yes we lost our captain Rio Ferdinand today through injury & yes Wayne Rooney needs to stay fit & remain on the pitch, no red cards please Wayne, & yes like all teams we will need a slice of luck but the winners will be…....can you guess who it is yet….....always the optimist….ENGLAND of course, possibly beating Brazil in the final. Well a man can dream can he not? ;¬}

Speaking of “a man can dream” the Mexican National Team just beat the defending world cup champion Italian National Team this week. It gives me a little bit of hope for the future…

Maybe this year we can finally make it to the final?

@Dr_C Sure…. My heart says Spain (I love their style), but (the not so dark) horses could be Portugal and Argentina (if only they’d fire Maradona).

I think Brazil will win.

Don’t forget FIFA games are often not that clean (to put it mildly) so I think when Platini let it slip that Brazil and Spain were favourites (just as bob said), he may know something that we don’t. Then again, his money might be on Nigeria or someone.

I think there will be at least one big surprise from Africa, if not SA itself, and we’ll have several teams disappointing us. I think England will do better than expected. I’d even put my money on them if I was hoping to win a good bet. Or Holland.

Holland and South Korea. .

After the first round is over it seems that France may be kicked out (out of the big contenders), whereas Spain were disappointing so far. Many are hoping for a Brazil-Argentina final, which now seems possible.

From what I’ve seen so far, I’d stick with my original England and Holland predictions (I think both teams have more to show) and think that perhaps the team with the highest chance of winning the trophy at the moment are Argentina (not because of the 4 goals yesterday, but because of the ease at which they can produce high-level football. I also think perhaps it’s Maradona’s destiny to win it as a coach this time).

It’s looking like either Germany or Brazil.

@jjmah definitely agree with you there. I’m hoping for Brazil – it’ll win me £30!

I don’t know about you guys… but I trust the judgement of Paul the psychic octopus who has correctly predicted the outcome of every world cup match he’s been asked about this tournament and therefore I will be betting on Germany to beat Argentina.

@Dr_C I wonder if the octopus has been asked about matches that don’t involve Germany? It could just be that he likes the colours in the German flag.

@downtide considering he hasn’t always picked Germany (take into account they lost a match) I’m not sure the colors have anything to do with it.

Oh well, thats my sweepstake prize down the drain. Bye Bye Brazil :( Looks like Germany or Argentina now. Maybe Holland in with a shout too, after the way they played yesterday.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…. the final will be Germany Vs Holland. I’m sure of it.

I agree, C.

@jjmah that’s only because you are an amazingly talented, intelligent, cultured, attractive, erudite and sexy woman. (great minds and all…)

@Dr_C I agree with you, especially now Argentina’s gone too. And I think Germany will win it.

I wonder what the octopus thinks?

Viva Spain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seems the octopus is going to be right?!

I’m worried about the octopus. Dude’s got a 50–50 chance of ending up served with sauerkraut. Ze Germans, zey don’t forgive.

Paul the octopus is NEVER wrong…

@bob_ And now i am supposed to make a sandwich joke? ;-)
Yeah, he’s toast.

So it comes down to this. Spain to win their first World Cup together with the European Championship success of two years ago. Sadly for their opponents it’ll be a case of once, twice, three times a loser. Same old story for the Never – lands, 74’ 78’ & 2010.Still, never mind hey.