After correctly calling England to win the T20 now is my chance for the World Cup Preview 2010!
Its quite wide open comp i feel, and its difficult to predict any real value or an extremely strong team, perhaps with the exception of the Spanish.
No European side has ever won the WC, outside of their continent, that's not a throwaway stat, and for that reason I am going to pick sides with a South American bias.
My Outsider WINNER Picks at large prices are:
Serbia 80\1 USA 90\1 Mexico 110\1 Uruguay 200\1 Portugal 36\1
All these teams I am picking mere for a bit of a fun and as Back to Lay's- with exception of Portugal. Remember South Korea in 2002, well i didnt but I would have expected their initial price would have been around 200-1 or something as Winning the cup but they reached the Semi's and would have got a lot shorter.(wonder what their price would be)
My Big Hitter Picks are:
Brazil 5\1 Argentina 8\1
I certainly wont write England off either, but at this stage offer little in the way of Value as a price (currently at 7) They could be a side to back later on, but i will hold off for now.
The Spanish - I cannot argue with anyone about the speed, skill and players, but will they come a cropper against well drilled industrious sides? its a cup compt after all and i think they will. It only takes one side to take them to a dreaded peno shoot and it could be game over.
Germanys, Italians and to a certain extent France, are better teams than the sum of their parts. Again you can get good odds for them but their European, and barring the Hun have pretty old teams.
Thoughts Gentleman - I must be honest I have found it difficult to pick teams.
Can't consider Argentina even if they have joint best players with Spain. Coach is not credible. ie ;leaving out Zenetti but playing Veron! I also like Brasil because of the draw and they seem to know how to grind out wins. Spain are very tempting though they will have 4 really tough knock out matches. I really fancied England at one stage but not sure about defence. I also like Holland and Porugal at a price. It's really tough tbh!
Can't consider Argentina even if they have joint best players with Spain. Coach is not credible. ie ;leaving out Zenetti but playing Veron! I also like Brasil because of the draw and they seem to know how to grind out wins. Spain are very tem