FOR those who didn't get their hands on my Daily Record column today, I took an early look at World Cup 2014 qualifying and outright prices.
When you have two pages to fill and deadlines to meet, sometimes needs must. However, although it's still two months before the start of the European qualifiers there are some decent prices on offer.
And it's quite interesting to take a detailed look at the groups in the wake of the Euro 2012 finals.
So for anyone who didn't read the article I've decided to post it here.
Firstly looking at the outrights and for me it could be one tournamant too many for Spain who are chasing four majors in a row.
No European side has lifted thr trophy in South America and for that reason I'll be looking at Brazil or Argentina – but I'm sure Spain won't be too far away.
And I'm pretty sure about one thing: The winner will come from this trio. Bookies are convinced about that fact too with Brazil 7-2 (favourites) ahead of Spain who are 11-2 at Ladbrokes and Paddy Power.
Lionel Messi's Argentina are 6-1 with Ladbrokes and Stan James and the only other fancied team are Germany at 8-1 (various).
Holland are fifth favourites but way out at 16-1 ahead of 20-1 Italy and 22-1 England.
Ladbrokes, who reported that £62 a second was bet in-play on the final, make Spain 7-2 for a third Euro crown on the trot. That means a World Cup and Euro double is 22-1.
Spain are 14-1 at Ladbrokes beat Brazil in the final with Brazil 10-1 to see off the Spanish.
So after an intense three weeks of Euro finals our thoughts will soon turn to the World Cup qualifiers.
Spain and France have been paired together in Group I and that's bad news for the likes of Belarus and Finland who have virtually no chance of finishing in the top two in a section of five. Best you can get is 2-5 with unibet to win group while France are 13-5 at Skybet.
Lucky old England look to have a straightforward task alongside Euro 2012 co-hosts Ukraine and Poland as well as Montenegro in Group H.
Roy Hodgson's side are 4-9 at Ladbrokes and Skybet with Ukraine 6-1 at bodog and Poland
8-1 with BetVictor.
Euro 2012 runners-up Italy are alongside two fellow finalists in Denmark and Czech Republic while Armenia will be the Group B dark horses. Italy are pretty short at 1-2 with Ladbrokes with the Danes 6-1 at BetVictor.
It should be a one-two for Germany and Sweden in Group C although rebuilding Republic of Ireland will hope to launch a challenge. Germany are just 1-4 at Ladbrokes with Sweden 4-5 at unibet to qualify and the Irish 29-20.
Holland will also be ringing the changes as they set about trying to qualify from Group D. Luckily for them a section featuring Turkey, Hungary, Romania, Estonia and Andorra shouldn't provide too many hurdles and they are 1-3 to finish first with bet365 and Paddy Power.
Group B has no big guns with Switzerland being favourites to qualify from a section that includes Norway, Slovenia and Iceland. I've seen Iceland being tipped at 100-1 to win the section and that would be a remarkable feat.
They are definitely a nation on the up, with an outstanding new star in Gylfi Sigurdsson, but I don't know if they can go all the way.
It's the Swiss for me at 6-4 (various) but Iceland could be worth an each-way bet as they battle neighbours Norway for second place. Iceland are 9-1 at unibet to make it through.
Group F looks a straight fight between big guns Russia and Portugal with Israel and Northern Ireland bringing up the rear. Portugal are 8-13 at bodog with Russia 21-10 with boylesports.
Greece impressed enough in the Euro finals to be regarded as favourites to win Group G ahead of Slovakia and Bosnia. But they are short at 15-8 (various) ahead of Bosnia (9-4, unibet) and Slovakia (5-2, bodog).
And that leaves us with Scotland's Group A. We aren't confronted with a stellar nation such as Italy or Spain but our chances of making it through from a group that features Croatia, Serbia, Belgium and Wales look slim.
We are a best 25-1 at BetVictor to win the section and 5-1 with unibet to qualify.
Croatia are favourites at 15-8 with bet365 and Skybet after a decent showing at the Euros and they are Serbia are just 1-2 at unibet to qualify.
Up-and-coming Belgium are regarded as a side to watch and are also odds on at 9-10 with unibet to make the finals.
The action starts on Friday, September 7 – and I can't wait.
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What about Uruguay? They’re top dogs in south america at the moment and could be the team to beat. 25/1 but 2 years is too long to wait haha.
Andrew, I feel Uruguay peaked for last World Cup. They’ll be looking for at least a last-eight spot but can’t see them challenging Brazil and Argentina this time.
Do you think in these global days playing in South America will be a huge disadvantage to the Europeans Paul? won’t it also be winter in Brazil in June/July time as well?
Guy, I still think playing in South America will be a factor. Most top Brazil and Argentina stars play in Europe but no Europeans go to South America so it could make a difference. Don’t think the weather will be a problem though because the likes of Spanish and Italian players are used to playing in some kind of heat.
I think Argentina could be the team to beat. Well as long as they dont get a coke snorting, gun toting maniac in as manager……
Joe, as I said it’s Brazil or Argentina for me. Being hosts favours Brazil but there is of course the Messi factor.
Joe, as I said it’s Brazil or Argentina for me. Being hosts favours Brazil but there is of course the Messi factor.
got decent treble for the mora if botafogo win tonight. stromgodset away to staebak, top v bottom 7/10, vasco de gama DNB 10/11 & elfsburg 2/5. will try get link for bota game at half 10.
on the w/c qualiflying i cant see scotland gettin there wi belgium and croatia there but will still be puttin a wee patriotic bet on nearer the time.
dont you think israel have an outside chance tho?agree wi armenia too, were scoring for in euros qualiflying. also prefer bosnia to greece 100%.
Craig, Israel are an interesting shout, will need to look at that a bit more.
stronsgodset out to 8/13 from 7/10 last night so added aalsund v viking in, 2 ticks on 1 site and large stake 3-0 win on other 5/6, treble pays £66 fa £8.05
Craig, your treble up and a Murray win – and no rain. That would be a perfect day.
at euro qualiflying paul a always looked israel scores as kayals there and rate him highly, there were in wi decent shout half way thro qyaliflyers but cumldnt keep it up against croatia and greece.
added aaslunde for 4fold but just bn informed vasca have couple of injuries and there playmaker dede has bn off boil since bein linked wi MCFC. still think theyre overpriced @17/10 wen theyre 2nd playin 16th, got DNB @evs out from 10/11 last nt
elfsborg
mypa
stabaek-stromsgodset btts
jjk-lahti btts
tromsdalen-sarpsborg bbts
£5 returns £54.68
Tony, think I’ll leave this one up to show how stupid you look. Your comments are actually a slur on Karen Cameron who won fair and square.
no enough specs in bros house but bak in mine wi them on :) cant afford full package on sky the now cos savin pennies so got to take adv of free 3d viewin while a can but intrigued wit tony said, sn a few messages fron him but few times bn on and only sn ur reply haha cant fault ur picks on tennis cos think fed will take nxt 2 set for 3-1
not 2 sets this set :) improvin every time tho
f****** typical, watched aaslund game after murray finished and vikin scored in 88 and 90 mins on twitter, put it bak on ft 2-2 AW F***!! shouldnt have put it in an stuck wi ma picks as always, decisions now, £50 in bqnk to pay phone bill or put it on vasca DNB???
tae france wae the phone bill Craig stick the 50 on athleticomg philadelphia
on the other hand if your phone gets cut off its a pain in the arse
am here danny, dinnae ken wit yi mean pal. was gonna stick 40 on vasco DNB but they kicked of just now and a was scamperin down to shop sayin need lecky, tagged ken!!! vasco 1 up within 15 an gutted understatement
aye its a bad turn if vasco were evens and you didny get it on
Shame
You didn’t get on that Craig! I stuck
Some on it
At evens good tip! :)
ok danny finished 1-1, was worth a baet at 11/10 tho feckit pal cannae beat itv to cheer u up wi the top100 songs 26 yr old and a used to gt called.dj depressision wen yonger haha plqying aw the goldens…….iiiiiiiiiiii’mmmmm leeeedaaaaaaanning on a lamp haha this id ur era paul haha