Bookies backing Brazil

With the first round of the World Cup almost completed, Track Price Plus has revised its fixed odds betting re the outright winner.

The unbeaten Brazil have replaced Spain as the new favourites to win. They are quoted at 4-1, but Spain, despite their shock defeat against Switzerland early in the competition, are still a strong fancy at 9-2, the same odds as unbeaten Argentina.

Holland, having won all three matches in the preliminary round, now offer 11-2 and having drawn one of the weaker teams (Slovakia at 150-1), seem poised to reach the last eight.

After losing to Serbia, Germany not surprisingly offer 10-1, which is generous odds if they can beat England on Sunday and advance to the quarter-finals.

The same is true of England (also at 10-1), who barely survived he first round and now face a tough match against Germany.

Outside of the abovementioned teams, Portugal who are up against favourites Brazil this morning (Jamaica time) in their final round preliminary fixture and could advance even if they lose, are quoted at 20-1.

The two CONCACAF representatives, the United States and Mexico are at 40-1 and 50-1, respectively.

- O.C.