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With the draw for the 2006 World Cup taking place today in Leipzig, Germany, Sportsbook.com has posted its odds on the largest event in the world. Brazil is hands down the number 1 favorite.
The United States, a quarterfinalist last time around, is only a 90-1 long shot to win the title, the same odds as Paraguay and ahead of only 13 other teams in the 32 team field. Defending champion Brazil is the clear favorite with 3-1 odds followed by their South American arch rivals Argentina at 13-2.
Despite recent success on the global scene, including a strong performance in the 2002 World Cup and a top ten FIFA world ranking, the USA is still considered a small player in world soccer. The United States felt slighted not to be one of the eight top seeds in the tournament, which would have meant a guarantee that they would not be drawn in the same group as traditional powers like Brazil, France, Argentina or Germany. Mexico, who the US defeated in the second round in the 2002 World Cup, and who the US finished ahead of in the qualifying tournament for Germany 2006, is one of the top eight seeds. "The US is a strong team and one that can pull off a rare upset, but it still lacks the pedigree and talent that the European and South American teams bring to the table," said Peter Childs, Odds Maker, Sportsbook.com. "Sportsbook.com is proud to be the only online sportsbook in the world focused on American soccer fans. No one else provides such comprehensive odds for the US team," added Childs. Other favorites for the title include England (7-1), hosts Germany (8-1), Holland (9-1), Italy (9-1) and France (10-1). As for the other CONCACAF qualifiers, Mexico is the pick of the crop at 50-1, while Costa Rica (500-1) and Trinidad and Tobago (1,000-1) bring up the rear. The Ivory Coast has the top odds among the African contingent at 80-1, while Japan at 150-1 tops the list of Asian contenders. Australia, representing the Oceania region, is a 200-1 bet. Who will win the 2006 World Cup?
Brazil 3-1 Poland 70-1
Argentina 13-2 Paraguay 90-1
England 7-1 USA 90-1
Germany 8-1 Switzerland 100-1
Holland 9-1 Japan 150-1
Italy 9-1 Australia 200-1
France 10-1 Ecuador 200-1
Spain 16-1 Angola 250-1
Portugal 20-1 Ghana 250-1
Czech Republic 25-1 South Korea 250-1
Sweden 40-1 Togo 300-1
Mexico 50-1 Tunisia 350-1
Ukraine 50-1 Costa Rica 500-1
Serbia & Montenegro 60-1 Iran 500-1
Croatia 65-1 Saudi Arabia 750-1
Ivory Coast 80-1 Trinidad & Tobago 1,000-1
Sportsbook.com offers numerous products including sports betting, horse racing, poker, casino and virtual games. It is the flagship brand for Sportingbet PLC. Headquartered in London, England, Sportingbet is the world's largest publicly traded online betting, gambling and gaming company.
Sportsbook.com - www.sportsbook.com
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