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We now know the 32 teams who will contest the 19th renewal of the World Cup next summer in South Africa. France’s progress to the finals was heavily controversial, although Stan James offer a best price 16/1 that Raymond Domenech’s team repeat their success of 1998. The big surprise on Wednesday evening was the exit of Russia, although the bookmakers don’t rate Slovenia’s chances in their first ever tournament. Coral make them 400/1 outsiders, although they are there on merit after finishing second in a tough qualifying group.

Portugal managed to ease through against Bosnia despite missing Cristiano Ronaldo, although they are sure to have officially the world’s best player back for the finals. Sporting Bet offer 18/1 that Carlos Queiroz steers the team to glory, although they continue to lack a cutting edge up front. Meanwhile, the dream is still alive for Euro 2004 winners Greece, who landed a 1-0 win in Ukraine to go through this week. Otto Rehhagel’s tactics worked a treat in Kiev, although the bookies are less convinced that they’ll make an impact in South Africa. Victor Chandler offer 150/1 that they are triumphant.

Some people are suggesting that the 2010 World Cup winner is going to come from a select group of two. Spain proved during Euro 2008 that they are an outstanding team and Ladbrokes make them slight favourites at 4/1 to prove that they’re the best nation on the planet. Manager Vicente del Bosque is blessed with some technically brilliant players and it’s hard to pick holes in them at the moment. Similarly, Brazil have an excellent World Cup pedigree and Paddy Power are lifting their heads above the parapet by offering 5/1. The South Americans have featured in three of the last four finals and qualified easily. Perhaps backing both of these teams will prove to be a profitable excursion.

In recent months, one of the big market movers have been the Ivory Coast, with William Hill going as short as 20/1 that they become the first African nation to win the tournament. They very nearly beat Germany in a friendly recently and have arguably the world’s best striker in Didier Drogba. The Elephants will have plenty of competitive match action in the African Nations cup and are the continent’s best chance of success. While the hosts will obviously have home advantage, they looked to be a mediocre team during the Confederations Cup and Coral are prepared to lay them at 200/1.

One of the teams that has drifted the most is Argentina and the rumour on the grapevine is that the bookmakers are out to get Diego Maradona’s team next summer. Bet Fred offer a standout 10/1 about the Albicelestes, although they were slightly fortunate to qualify and having Lionel Messi in the team does not equal success. However, firms are reporting a brisk trade on the Netherlands and England to win next summer’s competition. The Dutch blew the opposition away in qualifying and have been cut to 14/1 (bet365), while England are 13/2 (Coral), with Fabio Capello fielding a weakened team against Brazil recently. It might be worth taking this price now as there will be a flood of patriotic money coming for the Three Lions by the time next summer comes around!

Not much stands out for me this weekend, of course Barcelona are flying and scoring goals by the bucket fall so it would be a surprise if Recreativo, fourth from bottom, managed anything other than a sound thrashing but at odds of around 4/11 on Barca, I don’t think I will be taking them, probably just a personally thing but I never feel entirely sure of Barca away.

If you’re feeling brave, a small bet on Gijon to win away at Valencia might be worth a shout, Valencia were surprisingly beaten by Santander in their last home game and when you compare the two teams last five games, Valencia WWDLW and Gijon WWWWL the 9/1 offered by Stan James looks pretty generous.

Espanyol v Numancia

Is probably the only game I will have a little punt at this weekend. Espanyol have looked solid enough especially at home where their only defeat this season came against Barca 2-1 courtesy to a very late and suspect penalty. Espanyol will be looking to push up the league and challenge the top six, whilst Numancia, who have been in poor form, find themselves at the wrong end of the table and will be desperate to pick up something and climb out of the bottom three. Unfortunately for them it doesn’t look likely, considering they’ve failed to pick up a single point away all season, bearing that in mind then prices around 8/11 seem fairly reasonable to me.

Espanyol home win

Osasuna v Athletico Madrid

Osasuna bottom of the table, haven’t won all season are in bad shape and new coach Camacho hasn’t been able to change their fortunes with 3 straight defeats since his arrival. Their main problem is finding the net, defensively they are ok but going forward they offer very little, worse still they are missing 4 or 5 first team players this weekend so anything other than a defeat will be since as a good result. Athletico on the other hand played well in the Champions league at Anfield on Wednesday and were unlucky not to come home with all 3 points, that coming off the back of a good 2-0 win against Mallorca last weekend. Prior to that they drew 4-4 away at Villareal, so clearly then, they can score goals. Athletico will go to Pamplona looking for a win and I think their quality and confidence will more than likely see them through. Prices at around 2.25 make it a worthwhile punt.

Athletico to win

Seville v Recreativo Huelva

Seville are on a losing streak, 0-1 in the Uefa cup Thursday away to Standard Liege, 3-2 away to Valladodid last weekend and worst of all 0-1 at home to Andalucian rivals Malaga the week before. Seville, (who are 5th) are inconsistent but they do have a good squad of players who can mix it both physically and technically with the best of them on their day. Recreativo are poor, 3rd from bottom  and desperate to avoid defeat with the next month bringing a bunch of tough fixtures versus top 4 sides. Both sides need a win and for Seville, at home in front of their vocal fans it’s a great opportunity to stop the rot and get their season back on track. I think they will.

Seville to win

Valencia v Racing Santander

Valencia sit proudly at the top of La Liga, still unbeaten this season and with 4 wins out of 4 at home, 12 goals for and 2 against, whilst hot shot David Villa has 9 goals in 8 games. Racing in contrast are 17th, have won once this season, (against Osasuna) and have just suffered the humiliation of being beaten at home by second division Murcia in the Copa de Rey midweek. Everything points to a home banker….. except the record book which shows us amazingly that Santander have won the last 4 matches between the two sides. That said, Valencia have been immense at home this season and having dropped points last weekend will be going all out to get the 3 this week surely Santander can’t make it 5 can they?

Valencia home win

Sporting Gijon v Numancia

I have to hold my hands up and admit I thought Gijon were going to be in for a long hard season and indeed I happily picked on them to lose week in week out and all was going to plan until the beginning of the month when they rather surprisingly won away at Mallorca. To be fair there had been some signs of improvement since the 7-1 thrashing at Real Madrid, indeed the week before the Mallorca game Gijon had been rather unlucky to lose 1-0 to Villareal. Gijon have now picked up 9 points from the last 3 games, Mallorca, then Osasuna and most impressively of all winning last weekend away against Deportivo La Coruna, 0-3. Numancia have looked reasonably solid since joining La Liga, (coming up with Gijon last season) most games have been pretty tight, losing to Real Madrid 4-3 and Barcelona 1-0 for example and then last weekend picking up all 3 points to win 2-1 against Racing Santander. Interestingly these two teams met in the week in the Copa de Rey with Gijon stealing a 1-0 win away at Numancia. I think this is going to be a close game again but feel the confident youngsters from Gijon, backed by a home crowd will just have enough to keep there winning streak going.

Gijon to win