| Outright Odds: 3/1
| |
| | What we do know, however, is that a
|
| Group F Winners: 1/4
| |
| | fully-fit first-choice team will turn it
|
| What else is there to be said about
| |
| | on when it matters most of all. Brazil,
|
| Brazil? They are the only team to have
| |
| | even without Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and
|
| participated in every World Cup finals
| |
| | Cafu, hammered Argentina 4-1 in the final
|
| and are five times winners in 1958, 1962,
| |
| | of last year's Confederations Cup held in
|
| 1970, 1994 and 2002. They have also
| |
| | Germany in what could be seen as the
|
| finished as runners up twice in 1950 and
| |
| | "warm up" to this year's finals.
|
| 1998.
| |
| | The other 31 countries participating in
|
| Manager Carlos Alberto Parreira, who won
| |
| | the tournament need some hope that Brazil
|
| it in 1994 has possibly a better squad of
| |
| | can be beaten and they do have some
|
| players at his disposal than he did 12
| |
| | weaknesses. Goalkeeper Dida is prone to
|
| years ago and instead of Bebeto, Romario
| |
| | some dodgy moments, although he is
|
| and Rai he now has Adriano, Ronaldo and
| |
| | nowhere the liability he was regarded as
|
| Ronaldinho. It is unlikely the man who
| |
| | four years during his calamitous
|
| has lead four different nations to the
| |
| | appearances in AC Milan's Champions
|
| finals (Kuwait 1982, UAE 1990, Brazil
| |
| | League campaign. Roque Junior, who had a
|
| 1994 and Saudi Arabia 1998) will be
| |
| | forgettable loan spell at Leeds United,
|
| complaining.
| |
| | could also be seen as a weak link at the
|
| Brazil start as clear favourites for the
| |
| | back.
|
| tournament and have attacking resources
| |
| | These minor imperfections could be seen
|
| to frighten any opposing managers. As
| |
| | as clutching at straws as overall, as a
|
| well as the trio already described, throw
| |
| | team and even as a squad, Brazil ooze
|
| Kaka, Robinho, Roberto Carlos and Juninho
| |
| | world class quality with the important
|
| into the mix and goals can come from
| |
| | players vastly experienced in terms of
|
| literally anywhere on the pitch.
| |
| | World Cup finals appearances and success.
|
| Qualification wasn't the breeze it should
| |
| | While Brazil are the firm bookmaker's
|
| have been, with two defeats and seven
| |
| | favourites, top goal scorer punters may
|
| draws in 18 matches. It is important to
| |
| | like to try Adriano to win the Golden
|
| consider though Parreira was forced to
| |
| | Boot. Strike partner Ronaldo, who won the
|
| shuffle the pack as injuries and European
| |
| | coveted title four years ago is only
|
| teams demanding their players were kept
| |
| | offered at single figures.
|
| fit.
| |
| | Recommended Bet
|
| In terms of individual talent, Brazil are
| |
| | The 3/1 on offer of a Brazil victory
|
| streets ahead of anyone else
| |
| | looks decidedly good value before
|
| participating in the finals, but that is
| |
| | kick-off while Adriano could shine in his
|
| not how a football team should be judged.
| |
| | first major finals appearance.
|
