Not a World away

The World Cup may seem like an age away but the odds are already being compiled for South Africa 2010 with Brazil leading the charge at 9/2 following their Copa América success.

It's never a good idea to back a side shortly after a tournament win, especially with three years to go before the event in question and Brazil, in spite of their tournament success, do not inspire confidence.

Gone are the days of the free-flowing football of yesteryear; instead Dunga's well-drilled side takes a catenaccio-style approach to the game soaking up pressure before hitting sides on the counter-attack.

This is undoubtedly what happened in the Copa América where a rare early wonderstrike from Julio Baptista, followed by an own goal sent Brazil on their way to a surprisingly emphatic 3-0 win over Argentina.

The losing finalists had won five matches on the trot but, once behind, struggled to break through a resilient, defensive Brazil. Admittedly, come 2010 Los Canarinhos will most likely have welcomed back both Kaká and Ronaldinho but nonetheless Argentina remain a more attractive proposition at 6/1, with the likes of Lionel Messi, Rodrigo Palacio and Javier Mascherano likely to be hitting their peak by then.

Holders Italy are 10/1 with Sporting Odds to defend their trophy – a price that will shorten if they impress in the European Championship next summer -  but there are few Italians of especial promise emerging on the horizon.

On that note, England can be blatantly ignored at a derisory 10/1. Portugal and Holland, on the other hand, make for far greater appeal given the young players that they have started to produce.

The exciting Nani has followed Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester United and should be a household name by 2010 while Holland's future looks both bright and orange after winning the Under-21 European Championship for a second year in a row.

Two of the Jong Oranje, Ryan Babel and Maceo Rigters, have already earned Premiership moves to Liverpool and Blackburn Rovers, while the impressive Royston Drenthe has been strongly linked with a move to Chelsea. Imagine that trio in a side consisting of Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben and Klaas Jan Huntelaar and 16/1 looks a very generous price indeed.

Verdict: 1pt Argentina to win 2010 World Cup @ 6/1; 2pts Portugal to win 2010 World Cup @ 25/1; 3pts Holland win 2010 World Cup @ 16/1 (all Sporting Odds)

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