Source: FOOTYMAD
Argentina most-backed team at World Cup
Punters have thrown up a surprise ahead of this year's World Cup, backing Argentina to win the World Cup even more than the patriotic punt of England. Despite a messy qualifying campaign under Maradona punters have been backing the Argentinians over the last week from 15/2 to 13/2 firmly in the belief that their awesome foursome of Messi, Tevez, Milito and Higuain will fire them to their first World Cup since 1986. Although Paddy Power still expect the patriotic punt on England to be the number one World Cup bet by the time the tournament kicks off on Friday, punters have been going barmy for the Argies over the last week. Their historic rivalry with England and near disastrous qualifying campaign under Maradona’s mad management makes it very surprising to see.” Paddy Power’s World Cup Betting Stats Argentina have had more bets to win the tournament than any other team at this stage – including England. The Argentinians (13/2) account for more than 15% of all bets on the winner with the Three Lions close behind. England’s Group C rivals Slovenia (300/1) are the least backed team in the tournament. More have backed North Korea than South Korea to win the World Cup. At 2000/1 do they think Kim Jong-il is taking the ‘Group of Death’ tag too literally? Peter Crouch is among the top 5 players to be backed to win the golden boot (40/1) – although Wayne Rooney (11/1) is amongst the four others to have more bets riding on them than the Spurs striker. Robin Van PersieDavid VillaLionel MessiWayne RooneyPeter Crouch Rooney is also the most backed man to be player of the tournament (16/1) with 10% of bets. But Crouchie comes out on top to be England’s top scorer (11/2) with a whopping 68% of bets. 25 punters believe it’s never too late to find your shooting boots and have backed Emile ‘7 goals in 58 internationals’ Heskey to win the golden boot at 100/1. Perhaps unsurprisingly the most popular final is Spain v Brazil (10/1) with 20% of bets going on the two tournament favourites lining up against each other on July 11th. Punters are divided on how far they think England will go with as many backing a semi-final exit (7/2) as they are for the more traditional quarter final departure (3/1). Both stages have 29% of the bets. More than 150 punters are expecting Diego Maradona to be sent off in the tournament (9/1) “Captain’s Armband” is currently the most popular phrase to be used first in the England v USA Commentary Cliches (20/1) WORLD CUP MARKET MOVERS Outright Betting - No change for England over the weekend, Holland in to 9/1 from 10s and Italy drift to 15/1. 4/1 Spain9/2 Brazil13/2 Argentina7/1 England9/1 Holland14/1 Germany15/1 Italy18/1 France25/1 Portugal50/1 Ivory Coast60/1 Serbia70/1 Bar Golden Boot – The betting plunge continues on Robin Van Persie at 11/1 from 13/1 (25/1 two weeks ago)8/1 David Villa10/1 Lionel Messi11/1 Robin Van Persie11/1 Wayne Rooney12/1 Luis Fabiano13/1 Fernando Torres18/1 Gonzalo Higuain18/1 Cristiano Ronaldo Top England Scorer – Peter Crouch backed in from 7/1 to 11/26/4 Rooney5/1 Lampard11/2 Crouch8/1 Gerrard10/1 Defoe14/1 Heskey25/1 J Cole33/1 Terry200/1 KingOthers available PADDY POWER WORLD CUP MONEY-BACK SPECIAL England v USA - Roo BeautyIf Wayne Rooney scores at ANY TIME Paddy Power will refund all losing first/last goalscorer, correct score & scorecast singles on the match. Click here to bet and get a FREE £20 BET
