FIFA have confirmed the make-up of the four pots for Friday’s World Cup draw, and Betfair customers have identified a potentially gruelling ‘Group of Death’ for England.
Odds taken from Betfair’s ‘World Cup Winner’ market suggest that England’s toughest outcome would be if they were to be drawn against France (18-1), Ivory Coast (25-1) and Australia (119-1).
The prospect is surely one to worry Fabio Capello, although the England boss can take solace from the fact that it is just as likely that his side will be drawn in the most favourable group according to Betfair, consisting of New Zealand (999-1), Algeria (379-1) and Slovakia (309-1).
Doubts were allayed today when England were placed among the tournament’s top seeds, although FIFA’s decision had no impact on the betting sentiment of Betfair customers, with the price on the Three Lions triumphing in South Africa remaining at 7-1.
Betfair spokesman Ari Last said: “Looking at our markets it is clear how our customers rate England’s potential group opponents, and Betfair’s ‘Group of Death’ is a scary prospect indeed.”
FIFA World Cup 2010 Winner – Betfair latest odds: 5-1 Spain, 5-1 Brazil, 7-1 England, 11-1 Argentina, 13-1 Germany, 16-1 Netherlands, 16-1 Italy, 18-1 France, 22-1 Portugal, 25-1 Ivory Coast, 69-1 Chile, 69-1 Ghana, 79-1 Serbia, 94-1 Paraguay, 99-1 USA, 109-1 South Africa, 109-1 Cameroon, 119-1 Australia, 129-1 Nigeria, 129-1 Denmark, 129-1 Greece, 139-1 Mexico, 149-1 Uruguay, 219-1 Switzerland, 269-1 Slovenia, 309-1 Slovakia, 379-1 Algeria, 399-1 Japan, 519-1 South Korea, 919-1 Honduras, 989-1 North Korea, 999-1 New Zealand
