Who will win the World Cup?

Money is really starting to pour in to the online bookies. Domestic matters are over and a number of England players have reported in with serious injuries - so it must almost be time for the World Cup.

Despite injury set-backs Ed Pownall, from pure-play dot-com Blue Square, says there is a lot of money being placed on England. Single bets are regularly up in four-figure territory and Sven's boys are so far accounting for the biggest share of the money placed.

Italy are also seeing a lot of action, with punters fancying their chances of coming through an easy half of the draw. As such their odds are falling all the time.

Rank outsiders Saudi Arabia have attracted a grand total of 17 bets on Blue Square where they are 500/1. Similarly Japan, South Korea, Costa Rica and Ecuador are attracting very little interest.

So how can the punter beat the bookies? One well known bookie recently offered this writer odds of 200/1 on a goalkeeper scoring. Sounds reasonable? But what the bookie didn't realise is the keeper in question takes all his team's penalties - and this wasn't an obscure match or an unknown player. It was a Champions League semi-final.

Admittedly he didn't score but by the time he played in the final the error had been spotted and his odds had dropped to a far less generous 28/1. Foreign football and foreign footballers are alien territory for the bookies. It's risky taking them on at their own game - major domestic events - but away from home it is a different proposition.

There is certainly value out there but it's also important to remember the pitfalls and risks - this isn't easy money. Here the team behind silicon.com's World Cup Hot Topic bring you tips for this summer's football-fest and details of some bets to be looking out for.

Will Sturgeon
Senior Sub Editor, silicon.com
France have certainly got the best team but they don't have the best record on the road and have played no competitive matches since Euro 2000. You've also got to think, if Argentina, Brazil, England or France are going to win then they will have to overcome at least two others from that elite group. Italy on the other hand could take a very easy route to the final by which time it's anybody's. My heart says England, but my head says Italy edging out Argentina in a close final.

One bet that grabs my attention is Senegal v France in the opening game. France should walk it, but the opening game is never normally a great respecter of form. This could be Cameroon v Argentina from 1990 all over again. Don't rule out a Senegal win against the odds.

As for the Golden Boot. If Spain, for once, can perform as they should then I fancy Real Madrid front man Raul. They've got an easy group and should put a few past South Africa.
Italy 11/2. Raul 12/1
Odds provided by Blue Square were correct at the time of writing

Tony Hallett
Analysis and Reports Editor, silicon.com
Despite their undoubted class, the French won't make it three tournament wins in a row, especially so far from home. In fact, I can't see a European team winning in conditions that will surprise even those used to continental European summers. For the team lifting the trophy on 30 June in Yokohama look no further than Brazil. The pressure is off and Brazil will be the team the Japanese get behind once their own boys are knocked out - and unlike Argentina, they're dead certs to get past the opening round and not meet France next.

Again, outside bets go on Senegal getting something out of the opening game but also consider white washes in the Group of Death - either Sweden, Nigeria or, ahem, England losing all their games. It could happen.

As for the Golden Boot - given an easy route to the latter stages, and assuming he stays fit, it has to be Italy's Christian Vieri.
Brazil 6/1. Christian Vieri 11/1

Jon Bernstein
Editor-in-chief, silicon.com
If a European team's going to win then Portugal have as good a chance as any. In a group they should win, boasting a star-studded team playing their club football in two of the world's toughest leagues (Italy and Spain) and with a point to prove after their controversial exit from Euro 2000 the odds look good. The path to the final is relatively easy and even a probable quarter final clash with arch-rivals Spain should be winnable. Figo may not be fully fit but with Rui Costa, Paulo Sousa, Sergio Conceicao and Nuno Gomes - my tip for the Golden Boot - Portugal can even afford to play Abel Xavier and look good.

Another bet that looks good is for the hosts to fall at the first hurdle. Even with relatively easy groups (surely just a coincidence) and home advantage both Japan and South Korea are going to have to cause at least one upset to progress. Bet on them to go out in the group stage.
Portugal 12/1. Nuno Gomes 25/1

Graham Hayday
Editor, silicon.com
Other than the obvious prediction that hundreds of fat, balding, England 'fans' smothered in tattoos will embarrass everyone by trying to find out just how prepared the Japanese and South Korean police really are, Spain look a good bet for the World Cup.

No one expects them to do well: they've been saddled with the 'perennial under-achiever' tag for years, but this tournament could see them fulfil their undoubted potential.

They should sail through the group stage and, with arguably the best striker in Europe (Raul), one of the most consistent and experienced central defenders in the world (Hierro) and the midfield flair of Valeron and Mendieta, Spain have to be worth watching out for.

As for the Golden Boot winner. It's got to be Raul.
Spain 7/1. Raul 12/1

Joey Gardiner
Senior reporter, silicon.com
Argentina, for my money, look the most likely to lift the trophy, but perhaps doesn't provide the most attractive bet. As a hopeful outsider why not try Portugal at 12/1 or, dare I say it, Germany at 14/1.

The golden boot award is always highly dependent on which team goes the furthest. This time round you could do worse than put money on Argentina's Hernan Crespo or Spain's Raul - though, for me, Crespo just edges it.
Argentina 4/1. Hernan Crespo 12/1

Ben King
Telecoms Editor, silicon.com
While many are looking to pick the overall winner or the top scorer, the discerning punter would do well to consider the more risky - but more profitable - spread betting. There's nothing like it to spice up a dreary dead rubber. Even a 0-0 draw can make you rich if enough players get yellow cards.

I recommend going short on the 'shocking referee decisions' index (Sportingindex.com). Is it really likely that 23 goals will be legitimately scored but not awarded during the tournament?

Or, what about England bookings (Sportingindex.com)? Eighty-six points is equivalent to seven yellow cards and a red - which Danny Mills, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes can probably get between them as they kick their way to World Cup glory.
England 10/1. Robbie Fowler 33/1