Believe it or not, in less than four months' time, the FIFA World Cup Finals will kick off in Brazil in front of the eyes of the globe's millions upon millions of football fans.
Speculation is already rife over which sides are likeliest to win the ultimate prize in football at the hotly anticipated tournament, and a large number of bookmakers including big players Coral have already released their odds on outright tournament winners.
Here are a few selected teams who'll be heading to Brazil this summer and their odds of coming home as champions:
The favourites
At 3/1 to take the title (odds courtesy of Coral), Brazil are the best fancied team in the tournament.
As host nation, they already have an edge over the opposition – one in three World Cup hosts goes on to win the tournament – whilst star names including Neymar and Oscar will represent extraordinary assets for the Brazilians going forward.
Throw into the equation the legendary managing prowess of Scolari and it's easy to see why this is the team to beat.
Other favourites include Argentina, Spain and Germany, but for now, let's take a look at a few of the sides who've received fewer column inches in the lead-up to the competition...
The new dark horses from European
Coral price Belgium 14/1 to win the tournament, Belgium might just represent the very best of the outside bets to go all the way in Brazil.
Whilst this side has stuttered in recent friendlies against Columbia and Japan, the immense quality and proficiency in their squad remains intact.
Belgium can count an enviable array of English Premier League stars amongst their ranks, including Chelsea's wunderkind Eden Hazard, the consummate Vincent Kompany, rock solid keeper Mignolet and the superb goal-scoring talent Romelu Lukaku.
The abundance of familiar faces from our native top flight will make this a particularly interesting side to watch for English fans.
The other South American super-power...
Neither Brazil nor Argentina can lay claim to the prestigious title of South American champions...
That accolade belongs to Uruguay, proud homeland of Luis Suarez and 2010 World Cup semi-finalists.
At 28/1, this side could be well worth a punt...
The Three Lions
Ever-optimistic betters will still be putting a little money on England to win in Brazil.
28/1 odds on Hodgson's winning out would mean a very handsome return for all those who back them if the Three Lions pull off the implausible this summer!
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Speculation is already rife over which sides are likeliest to win the ultimate prize in football at the hotly anticipated tournament, and a large number of bookmakers including big players Coral have already released their odds on outright tournament winners.
Here are a few selected teams who'll be heading to Brazil this summer and their odds of coming home as champions:
The favourites
At 3/1 to take the title (odds courtesy of Coral), Brazil are the best fancied team in the tournament.
As host nation, they already have an edge over the opposition – one in three World Cup hosts goes on to win the tournament – whilst star names including Neymar and Oscar will represent extraordinary assets for the Brazilians going forward.
Throw into the equation the legendary managing prowess of Scolari and it's easy to see why this is the team to beat.
Other favourites include Argentina, Spain and Germany, but for now, let's take a look at a few of the sides who've received fewer column inches in the lead-up to the competition...
The new dark horses from European
Coral price Belgium 14/1 to win the tournament, Belgium might just represent the very best of the outside bets to go all the way in Brazil.
Whilst this side has stuttered in recent friendlies against Columbia and Japan, the immense quality and proficiency in their squad remains intact.
Belgium can count an enviable array of English Premier League stars amongst their ranks, including Chelsea's wunderkind Eden Hazard, the consummate Vincent Kompany, rock solid keeper Mignolet and the superb goal-scoring talent Romelu Lukaku.
The abundance of familiar faces from our native top flight will make this a particularly interesting side to watch for English fans.
The other South American super-power...
Neither Brazil nor Argentina can lay claim to the prestigious title of South American champions...
That accolade belongs to Uruguay, proud homeland of Luis Suarez and 2010 World Cup semi-finalists.
At 28/1, this side could be well worth a punt...
The Three Lions
Ever-optimistic betters will still be putting a little money on England to win in Brazil.
28/1 odds on Hodgson's winning out would mean a very handsome return for all those who back them if the Three Lions pull off the implausible this summer!
