I will start to give you all my best bettingtips in the game between Argentina vs Spain and then follow that up with my best tips from Paraguay vs Spain. I have choose to pick the odds from bwin bet on world cup and one of the reasons that I do that is because they have the biggest offer in different odds and betting opportunities of all the betting sites.

There are over 300 different betting opportunities at bwin, which can be compared with most of the sites that offers about 100 different bets per match.

Paraguay vs. Spain, odds: Paraguay to win, odds: 8.00, draw odds: 4.50, Spain to win, odds: 1.40

My bettingtips:

Paraguay vs. Spain – Spain to win @ 1.40

Paraguay has never been in a quarterfinal in the World cup’s history before so this is a very big game for them. But the fact is that Spain never have been further then a quarterfinal before either, which can be hard to think compared to the team that Spain has, and have got for a long time.

I think that the fact that Spain did so well in the European Championship two years ago (when they won the Gold medal) has helped them a lot in this World cup.

It started as it often do for Spain in World cup, they lost against Switzerland with 1 – 0. When that happened, I am pretty sure that most of the Spaniards thought something like “Not this time as well”. Because Spain was, the biggest favourites to win the World cup according to the odds before the championship started and that even thought they have never been in a semi-final before.

Nevertheless, after their loss against Switzerland they came back strongly and won against both Honduras and Chile (2 – 0 and 2 – 1) which took them trough to the second round. In the first match of the second round they played against their neighbours Portugal in a great game where Portugal seemed to bee the strongest team but where Spain made a substitution and that changed the game. Spain won with 1 – 0 after that David Villa (who else?) scored his fourth goal of the tournament.

Paraguay has been doing very well and has only let one goal in so far. They started with 1 – 1 against the former trophy holders Italy and after that they won against Slovakia with 2 – 0. In their last group match they played 0 – 0 against New Zeeland, but in that game they where not forced to win. In the second round they was headed against Japan and won after penalties (0 – 0 after ordinary time).

So none of these teams as impressed that much so far, but still one of the teams will go to the semi-finals. My feeling is that Spain is growing as they are going further and that they have good opportunities to win this game. I do not think that it will be an easy game but I still think that Spain is too good for Paraguay. Actually I would say that the odds on a Spanish win is a bit too low to bet on if it would had been a group-game or friendly, but now when it is a quarterfinal I have a feeling that the Spanish world-class-players will improve their game and win.

Paraguay vs. Spain, correct result: 0 – 1 @ 5.20 in odds

It’s not often that I place a bettingtips on correct result, but this time I have a strong feeling that this game can end 1 – 0 for Spain. I had the same feeling in their game against Portugal, but this time I am going to place a bet on that as well.

As I wrote above, these two teams have not been scoring too many goals forward. In addition, Paraguay has shown a strong defensively strength and I am pretty sure that they will try to hold up 0 – 0 as long as they can. Almost all of the Spanish players are playing in Spanish league for some of the top clubs, and if they come up to a normal standard, at least one of these players should be able to score eventually. Spain has David Villa, Fernando Torres, Xavi, Xabi Alonso, Cesc Fabregas, Fernando Ilorente, Andres Iniesta and the question is for how long time Paraguay can stand up with their defensive line.

I choose to bet the result 0 – 1 to Spain since I think this will be a tight game in the beginning and that Spain will score in the second half. And when/if they do, they are one of the best nations in the world to pass the ball. If you choose to bet on 0 – 1 result for Spain and that is the standing late in the game I can even recommend you to keep an eye on the livebetting. It might being worth to hedge that bet if you have a high stake since the odds is over 5.00.

My best bettingtips from Argentina vs Germany follows in the next text

However, Germany has actually impressed more on me then Argentina, since Argentina where one of my potential winners before the World cup started. Germany came to this World cup without really being one of the favourites, which feels a bit strange now when they have proved so much. Germany is a strange nation when it comes to World cup. They are not often counted as one of the biggest favourites, but still they always makes it at least to the quarterfinals, often further then that. Now the two big giants face again in a world championship and I will try to give you my best game tips from this match:

Argentina vs. Germany, odds: Argentina to win, odds: 2.35, draw, odds: 3.35, Germany to win, odds: 2.85

My bettingtips:

Argentina vs. Germany, Argentina to win @ 2.35 in odds

This is a hard game to predict, but I have a feeling that Argentina is the better side. Those two teams actually played a friendly just before the world cup and that time Argentina won with 1 – 0. In addition, not only that, they where even way better then Germany in that game. But that was then and this is now. Because Germany has shown that, they are a totally different team then theu where in the qualification and the friendly’s. When Michael Ballack got injured most of us thought that Germany was going to get a tough championship. Instead all the youngsters has grown to world class players and are really good at the moment.

Both Mesut Özil, Sami Khedira and Thomas Muller where pretty unknown for most of the non-German people before the World cup started and now its them who are holding the team up. It was those three who outplayed England totally and now they are in a new quarterfinal.

But I think it will end here. Argentina has even better players in their squad with players like Leo Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Carlos Tevez on the attacking line. They have more players to bring on if it wont work with these, such as Diego Milito, Kun Aguerro and Martin Palermo.

Behind all these attackers, Argentina has De Maria, Juan Veron and Javier Mascherano. There are muscles in the Argentenean team as well, clearly.

This will be a great offensive battle to watch and I think that the South Americans will win with stand as winners. My feeling is that both teams will try to play the way they have played so far in the World cup, which means many players in the attacks. Argentina is the favourites both according to me and the odds and me that bwin offers. But I have leaned to never underestimate Germany, so I keep the stake low.

Argentina vs. Germany, over / under 2,5 goals – Odds: Over 2,5 goals 1.90 in odds – Under 2.5 goals 1.80 in odds

My bettingtips:

Argentina vs Germany, over 2,5 goals @ 1.90 in odds

This is a really good bet if you ask me. Both of these teams are offensive in their way of playing and they have also played like that. Both Argentina and Germany have their strongest players in the attacking line or as offensive midfielders which makes me believe that it defiantly can be more then three goals in this game.

I am a bit surprised that bwin holds under 2,5 goals as favourites in this game since both teams are playing as offensive as they are.  I rather think that this game can end like 4 – 2 in any direction then 1 – 0.  In the second rounds, first matches both Argentina and Germany showed that they keep attacking even though they have the lead, and that is really good for this bet. Germany took an early lead against England but they kept attacking. With fast counter attacks and fantastic passing skills, they made the English players look chocked. The game ended 4 – 1 to Germany and who could have expected five goals in that game?

Even Argentina showed in their game, against Mexico, that they kept attacking after their early lead. They had 1 – 0 but kept playing forward which lead to both 2 – 0 and 3 – 0. After that, Mexico scored a goal but Argentina’s win was never threatened.

Therefore, I have big hopes that it will be scored at least three goals in this game, maybe even more, and am happy to get as high odds as 1.90 on this bet from bwin sportsbetting odds. This time I choose to bet a higher stake since I find the bet so good.

Good luck with your World cup betting

/Amrish

My tips for the Golden Boot winner are, (note all betting odds used in this football article are from bwin.com)

Lionel Messi – 7/1 & Gonzalo Higuain 18/1 – ARGENTINA

Messi has had an incredible season with La Liga champions Barcelona with 47 goals in all competitions. He goes into the World Cup with a renewed public opinion that he is not only the best player in the world but thought of in a similar vein to Maradona and Pele and is quite rightly the favourite to take the Golden Boot back to Argentina. If Argentina does well in the competition under Diego Maradona, then Messi will surely have a great chance at scoring lots of goals and thus making a success of any wagers on him. At 7/1 I think this is a good bet.

Higuain has burst onto the scene at Real Madrid and looks every bit a quality player. With Messi alongside him he should get chances to score.

David Villa 8/1 & Fernando Torres 12/1 – SPAIN

As Euro 2008 champion’s expectations are high for Spain. Their young forwards Torres and Villa have another two years success and experience under their belt and will be disappointed with anything less than a semi-final place this summer. Both players are under intense scrutiny with massive transfers potentially in the offing for both players. Torres has endured a tough season at Liverpool but his goal scoring ability has never been in question. Villa is a top player who could well be the star of the World Cup in what is an extremely talented Spanish side. A bet on either player to win the golden boot award is not foolish.

Wayne Rooney – 15/2 – ENGLAND

England relies heavily on Rooney and he has shown temperament frailties in the past. In the pressure cooker environment of the World Cup Rooney will be goaded by opponents and this could affect his composure at key moments. If England win the World Cup or come close expect Rooney to be very much in the frame for the golden boot. England’s poor performances since the 1990 semi-final appearance lends me to think playing down Rooney’s chances for this award is sensible, but I have never hoped I am wrong more in my life! Other England players who often score are Frank Lampard at 100/1, Steven Gerrard at 80/1 and Peter Crouch at 70/1. Crouch always does well against lower quality international sides and could grab four or five goals in the group stages if he plays in the matches.

Cristiano Ronaldo – 16/1 – PORTUGAL

Cristiano Ronaldo has continued to score lots of goals from midfield and is reaching an incredible peak in his career. Clearly one of the best midfielders in the world this strong and agile player strikes fear into every opponent. If Portugal do well Ronaldo will score goals. At 16/1 I am tempted to back Ronaldo as his goal scoring pedigree at every level he has played at is totally proven and Portugal will look to Ronaldo for goals and leadership. And it does not take a genius to realise how motivated he will be for the World Cup.

It is a scary thought for any team. Hopefully Messi, Ronaldo et al will reward our faith in them and produce some amazing football this summer at the 2010 World Cup.

By Malcolm Clarke

Each football bet that we place will rely on England having a good squad of players to back to glory so Capello must choose carefully. The provisional squad is as follows, with my predictions for those seven players who will miss out on the final squad in bold.

Goalkeepers: Joe Hart, David James, Robert Green.

Defenders: Leighton Baines, Jamie Carragher, Ashley Cole, Michael Dawson, Rio Ferdinand, Glen Johnson, Ledley King, John Terry, Matthew Upson, Stephen Warnock.

Midfielders: Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, Steven Gerrard, Tom Huddlestone, Adam Johnson, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Scott Parker, Theo Walcott, Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Forwards: Darren Bent, Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Emile Heskey, Wayne Rooney.

I think Capello will take all three goalkeepers, but if one is to be sacrificed it will probably be Joe Hart. In defence Jamie Carragher will provide cover at left-back and therefore Stephen Warnock will probably miss out. In central defence the two peripheral players are Dawson and Upson. As Dawson has never won a cap despite being involved in various squads I think he will be the play who is sent home.

In the midfield positions I think that it is too early for Adam Johnson and because Lampard and Gerrard are completely established in the centre Huddlestone and Parker will miss out. With Gareth Barry being injured, I expect him to be sent home as well. I believe Capello should take all four of the forwards but there is a possibility if Barry stays with the squad then it may be Carrick or Bent that is sacrificed.

The World Cup groups have been set for some time and Capello may risk taking Gareth Barry because the passage through to the knock-out stage is not nearly as difficult as it might have been and even the peripheral squad players should have enough talent to step in and still win through with something to spare. Looking at the squad I think the outcome of whether Barry can have a chance of being fit for the knock-out stages of the competition is key in regards to who gets sent home.

It is an exciting time for a sports betting fan to research into the world cup squads and how the selections will impact the odds. With a record amount of money likely to be wagered on the World Cup this summer you should sign up with an account with bwin.com and prepare for the action. Hopefully England can do it, but regardless of the eventual outcome this will be a fantastic summer of amazing football that only comes around once every four years so make sure you enjoy it!

The only thing bigger than the world cup this summer will be the transfer frenzy of signing the top performers.

By Malcolm Clarke

So who will win the World Cup in South Africa? As usual there will be upsets, heartache, penalty shoot-outs, key injuries and teams getting lucky. But that just reflects any cup competition. A team needs an element of luck to win it. Look at Italy four years ago, they had a relatively easy group and did not really play anyone of note until Germany in the semi-final. That was a huge slice of luck and then Zidane gets sent off in the final and they win the penalty shoot-out.

It was exactly the same in 2002 when Germany had a very fortunate series of games to go all the way to the final where they came close to winning it with a very mediocre side. So it is clear that the “luck of the draw” will play a great part. England and Spain have relatively straight forward groups which hopefully should allow them to progress and be able to rest players if England get themselves into that situation.

But the team that wins the tournament is also going to need a very strong squad because to win the World Cup means playing seven games in a month. Bookings will be inevitable and this will lead to suspensions and players will also pick up injuries. When players are already at the end of a long gruelling season then injuries may be lurking just around the corner.

Often it is impossible to identify some types of injuries and some players could be on the verge of picking up injuries that are impossible to detect at this time. So a team will need a strong squad but it definitely helps to have softer games in the earlier stages. This certainly takes the burden off a team at the later stages of the competition.

Many people are quoting Spain as the potential winners and they certainly are the best team in the tournament. But once again the question is, will they be lucky? They are already having problems with players like Torres and Xavi having injuries and should they lose these two players then that would be a major blow for them.

So the World Cup countdown starts here and the luck also starts here and that will continue into the World Cup groups. We already saw how David Beckham will miss the tournament and while he would not have been in the starting eleven, he would have easily been in the squad and he would have certainly been a vital squad member.

Carl “The Dean” Sampson

The Premiership title race will be contested by the same four or five teams and probably won by one of the usual two teams in Chelsea or Manchester United. At the lower reaches of the league teams like West Ham, West Brom, Newcastle, Stoke, Bolton and Wolves will be among the most likely teams to be forced to fight for survival and there is much more opportunities for good odds on the relegation market.

Newcastle are an enigmatic club and since Sir Bobby Robson was sacked they have endured a steady decline in terms of both fortune and status. They have already released a number of unwanted reserve players as well as winger Fabrice Pancrate. Nicky Butt has confirmed he will leave the club, possibly moving to Ipswich with former team mate Roy Keane or into retirement after a long and glittering career. The club has been linked with moves for Stephan Hunt and Jimmy Bullard to strengthen their side for the Premiership campaign.

The clubs otherwise excellent Championship promotion season was marred by the Steven Taylor, Andy Carroll fight which left Taylor nursing a broken jaw. Although the victim of the assault the news unofficially filtering from the club suggests Taylor was responsible for the fracas and may leave the club in the off-season. Considering £90,000 per week defender Fabricio Coloccini may be sold along with fellow high earners Joey Barton on £60,000 per week and Alan Smith on £50,000 per week to ease a high wage bill, there is some major squad rebuilding still needed before the turmoil of a period of overspending and financial mismanagement can be left behind. Lots of young players have broken through this season but are they Premiership quality? If they are not up to standard then Newcastle will be in trouble.

As a supporter of Newcastle Utd it would pain me to tip them for relegation but at the moment I think I am forced to say they are likely to put financial stability ahead of squad requirements. Mike Ashley has lost millions investing in the club and wants a return on his investments. When he eventually gets a stable footing only then will he consider a strategy to get the club moving. More probably he will try to sell it again at that point. In the centre of defence and in the midfield there are overpaid stars in need of replacement. Unfortunately Newcastle are neither able nor willing to pay the going rate for adequate replacements.

This suggests their Premiership survival could be at stake. Savvy dealings in the transfer market will be required and the jury is still out on manager Chris Hughton as to whether he can deliver in this respect. For football betting fans this is an opportunity for some profits, for Toon Army members this is another season where it will be touch and go whether survival and further stabilisation can be maintained.

By Malcolm Clarke

Is it because they are so rich at such a young age they start to believe their own hype that they must be amazing if they are rated and paid so highly? If somebody paid me massive money to be a footballer I could not possibly live my life the same way and feel about the game in the same way once all of my financial aspirations had been met and surpassed. Young players trying to break through play the game with a hunger; some would argue desperation, to make the grade. Once that desire is fulfilled can they really muster a genuine hunger for the game from that point? Of course they are talented, but it is not a matter of life or death anymore. This must affect their psyche and will in relation to the sport from then on, even in a small way.

Reading the sport news pages we see there is just as much discussion about players private lives as well as their sporting achievements. They make the news regardless of what they do, but in 2010 there has been a spate of news stories surrounding our young sports stars for all of the wrong reasons.

First there was John Terry, the England captain. He had an affair with the attractive ex-girlfriend of Wayne Bridge who is also the mother to his Bridge’s child. This resulted in the withdrawal of Bridge from international availability at his own request and John Terry losing the captains armband for the international team. This caused sports bettors to analyse the effects of this fall-out and how it affects any bets they were thinking of placing or had placed already on England at this summers World Cup tournament. It seems ridiculous that the antics of one player could upset such an important sporting occasion.

Since then we have had Andy Carroll breaking the jaw of Steven Taylor, which probably does not affect the promotion race now that Newcastle are so far clear in the Championship but many effect next season if Taylor or Carroll is sold or Carroll faces criminal charges (he is already on bail for another assault). Lewis Hamilton was blasted by Australian government officials for irresponsible use of a car and Joe Calzaghe (admittedly retired from boxing) has been forced to admit cocaine use over the weekend and criticised the UK boxers like Amir Khan and Ricky Hatton during an interview that was, he thought, off the record.

For us as sports betting fans, when we consider the odds offered by sports betting websites like bwin.com we must take into account the players personalities. Are they hungry for the game? Do they believe their own hype? Are they worth wagering on in good faith or will they let you as a punter down? These questions are all new ones that must be considered by sports betting fans in an age where young sportsmen are rich long before they are successful.

Perhaps it is the sportsmen themselves who should take a look in the mirror and start acting like the role models they believe themselves to be.

By Malcolm Clarke

Many people will no doubt look at teams like CSKA Moscow, Bordeaux and Lyon and think that they are merely making up the numbers……but are they? At the end of the day, we are looking at a cup competition after all so every team has a chance. Arsenal have a chance to overcome the heartache of 2006 and get revenge on Barcelona.

They will have their work cut-out because Barcelona are a better team than 2006 while Arsenal don’t seem as strong to me. But over two legs then anything can happen. The worrying thing for Arsenal is that they play a style that suits Barcelona. Also Arsenal have a strong tendency to buckle against the top sides which has been proven time and time again against Chelsea and Manchester United and in Europe over the past two seasons.

So I expect Arsenal to get beaten against Barcelona even though as an Englishman, I hope that I am wrong. Manchester United against Bayern Munich will be a wonderfully balanced tie. I give Manchester United the edge simply because of Wayne Rooney. Bayern struggled in the group and almost didn’t qualify as both they and Juventus suffered at the hands of Bordeaux.

Barcelona do not seem to have the same intimidation factor in La Liga as they do in Europe which is why they are in serious danger of not winning the title. They are currently neck and neck with Real Madrid and equal on points so it will be interesting to see how that transpires. I did say at the start of the season that I didn’t feel that any English club was strong enough to win the trophy this season.

With Liverpool going out in the group stages and Chelsea in the last 16 then that prediction is looking strong. Bayern Munich certainly have enough in their locker to beat Manchester United and go all the way to the final and their coach Louis Van Gaal is a master tactician.

Looking at how the draw has transpired then I do predict a Manchester United and Barcelona repeat final but then again, that is the final that all of Europe are predicting. Can Inter Milan upset Barcelona……yes! Even though they have let a huge lead slip in Serie A this year in the race for the title, Jose Mourinho will be plotting his game plan to beat Barcelona as soon as the CSKA Moscow tie is over.

My predictions are Manchester United against Bordeaux and Barcelona against Inter Milan in the last four but I don’t say that with too much conviction.

For the lastest Champions League betting then go to bwin.com

Manager Fabio Capello was furious enough with the situation to strip John Terry of his captaincy in a short twelve minute meeting. Good for him. Former managers may have given him another chance and took the easy way out citing his suitability to the role. Not Capello. He is sending out a message to Terry and every member of the squad; shape up or you will be booted out of the team next. Players need reminding that an international cap is a privilege and not a right, I think they have got the message loud and clear under Capellos strict regime.

Currently England are amongst the favourites for the World Cup. Their current odds with bwin are 6/1 behind Brazil at 5/1 and the favourites Spain at 17/4. With Spain inconsistent before winning Euro 2008 you can see we have a good chance at the tournament. The incidents between Bridge and Terry are not likely to alter the odds, but consider other things that will be occurring around the squad right now.

The other players in the squad will be unnerved by what is going on and will be discussing the coverage in the papers between themselves and contacting Wayne Bridge and offering their support. Likewise, but perhaps to a lesser extent, the same thing will be happening to Terry. The mere fact they are discussing the debacle is a bad thing for England. Capello does not like to get involved in things like this and is a tough, matter of fact manager. He will be aware, however, that the England team has to deal with media scrutiny a little more than other countries. It demands a different approach.

Ashley Cole’s injury has cast doubt on whether he will be at the World Cup. Bridge is only viable replacement unless Gareth Barry moves into the role where he started his career. Bridge has not publicly stated whether he would accept a call-up to the squad and rumour has it he has so far snubbed efforts by Terry to get in touch and discuss things. The fact that the spotlight is now on Terry and Bridge playing together is cannon fodder for the media and something Capello would have been keen to avoid in the World Cup build up.

Younger players may be disillusioned with their captain and the nature of the incidents involving Terry and Bridge force you to take sides. By nature this splits the squad. It is now vital for Capello to bring the squad together and ensure things are not left lingering. Rio Ferdinand needs to be accepted as Captain and the squad needs to move forward together. Hopefully this can happen at the Egypt friendly.

I would personally like to see Bridge and Terry play together in the friendly and give at least a public sign of a truce, even if that masks their private feelings. This public truce would serve to dampen the media flame that is burning so intensely at the moment. I think that perhaps Capello will want the same thing as he is not the type of manager to view this as anything more than an irritating distraction brought about by silly players not thinking about the repercussions of their actions.

In my opinion the media did gleefully exaggerate the story. The woman involved was not with Bridge and even though she has a child with him the link to Bridge was exaggerated in terms of the reported “Terry has an affair with team mate’s girl” angle. Of course Bridge is embarrassed (we all heard the crowd chants) but Terry is rightly being criticised for his extra marital activities and it is not the first time he has been caught out. He needs to realise the media are watching for him to slip up. Failure to toe the line has cost him his captaincy, he needs to make sure he limits the damage this has caused and it does not upset the England squad anymore than it has done already.

Our World Cup hopes may depend on it.

By Malcolm Clarke

As an add on to talking about market speed then I think that it is only fair that we now discuss the dangers of betting in running and how market speed ties in with that. The amount of time that you will have to place your wager while an event is in progress is really dependent on the type of event. If you are watching the final round of the US Masters from the Augusta National for instance and Tiger Woods hits a 320 yard drive off the 15th tee in the closing stages to set up a possible birdie chance, then you have several minutes before he walks down the fairway and plays his next shot in which to place a bet.

Likewise in a game like Tennis for instance, there is a period where the players change ends where the action actually stops for a brief period. Cricket is another game where in running betting moves relatively slowly except in circumstances where it is drawing to the close of the match and a vital wicket or run could change everything.

So in short, you have a lot more time in which to operate when betting in running in certain sports over others. Sports like horse racing and football are very fast moving and the action is constant and especially in sports like horse racing. As soon as a horse race begins then the action is constant all the way until the finish line thus making the in running betting activity very frantic indeed and mistakes and misclicks are common place. Staying on the subject of mistakes for a minute, I feel that we really ought to touch on the subject of best price for a minute.

BEST PRICE

Before the betting exchanges came along, we as punters were really programmed to back horses or anything else for that matter to achieve a positive result. Be it either backing your fancy to win or to run into a place, we were still wagering money on the outcome of a result that had to be positive in order for us to win. But the betting exchanges changed all that. Now suddenly a negative event like a horse falling or a team losing could be a money earner for us.

Punters already were aware that getting the best price when backing something to win was highly advantageous. If you could get 10-1 when most other people were only getting 8-1 then you had a far better chance of being a successful punter in the long term than those that basically just took any old price. So when people go on the exchanges they are already programmed to try and get a better price when backing.

But here comes the snag and a pitfall that although may seem terribly obvious, many new exchange punters have fallen into numerous times. That trap is when it comes to actually LAYING. Whenever you are looking to lay something then you are looking to obtain the SHORTEST possible price and not the highest.

Remember, when you lay then you are accepting a bet from another punter or group of punters so you are in fact offering them odds on a particular event. Because you are offering someone else odds then it only stands to reason that you want to offer the skinniest price that you can possibly get away with. If you believed in your own mind that England had absolutely no chance of lifting the 2010 Football World Cup then you want to offer the shortest or to take the shortest price you can manage in the slim possibility that you are wrong.

If you could LAY England to win the World Cup (meaning that you were accepting other peoples bets who thought that they would win) at 2.0 (Even money) then this would be a tremendous result for you as England at Even money to win the World Cup before the event even started is far too short a price. Even if you lay them and you are wrong and they go on to lift the trophy then you are still only paying out even money.

But you should not LAY England at any price simply because you don’t expect them to win the competition. If you lay England at 100.0 (99-1) then you have offered odds of 99-1 to other punters who want to back England which is still grossly wrong but in the other direction and in a direction that can seriously hurt you I might add. So to recap then, when you are looking to back your fancy then you are looking for the best possible price which means the highest possible odds. But you are looking for the shortest possible lay price when you are opposing a selection.