South Africa have been handed a tough task as they look to avoid the ignominy of becoming the first host country to be knocked out at the first-round stage - Sky Bet offer them at 1-3 to fail to progress. They have shown little form to suggest they can last into the knockout stages, having struggled for goals - they have not scored in over six hours following November's 0-0 draw with Jamaica - and failing to qualify for the African Cup of Nations next month.
There may be more positives signs after Carlos Alberto Parreira came back for a second spell as coach, replacing fellow Brazilian Joel Santana. He had lost eight of his last nine games before being dismissed in October. They will rely heavily on defensive organization and the creativity of Everton's Steven Pienaar - although if they can prise some goals out of Blackburn's Benni McCarthy, who has quit the squad on more than one occasion in the past, then there may just be a glimmer of hope.
They can at least look to the positives taken from their fourth place in the Confederations Cup, which they hosted last year. Bafana-Bafana defeated New Zealand and drew with Iraq, before running Spain and Brazil close. Their qualifying odds are 12-5 (Victor Chandler), to be group winners they are 8-1 (888Sport, Bluesq) while a final appearance is 66-1 with Sky Bet. Incidentally, they are the lowest FIFA-ranked country in the finals, at No. 86 in the latest November rankings.
Their previous World Cup finals excursions have seen two third-place finishes in the group phase, in 1998 and 2002 - winning one of six games. And the likelihood of World Cup success? Bluesq, 888Sport and Coral offer 150-1 - which doesn't look too generous.
France are the group favourites, being offered as 6-5 (Ladbrokes) to finish first and 1-3 (Sky Bet, Tote Sport, Bet Fred) to go through.
However, there are different factors which suggest it may not be straight forward. They are the only 'fancied' nation not preparing before the tournament at altitude - could this hinder their efforts in South Africa?
Runners-up last time out (they are 6-1 to that this time with Sky Bet) and winners in 2006 (a 16-1 shot with Bet365, Bluesq, 888Sport, Ladbrokes), the side have been perceived as something of a joke under Raymond Domenech's stewardship.
We offer a number of World Cup Free bets on Group A here. Ranked at No. 7 by FIFA, they scraped through qualifying courtesy of William Gallas' controversial extra-time play-off goal against the Republic of Ireland - courtesy of Thierry Henry's handling skills in Paris. Despite this - and the apparent lack of leadership provided by their coach - France should be a threat with quality throughout their side in the form of Patrice Evra, Lassana Diarra, Franck Ribery, Nicolas Anelka and Henry - provided the latter isn't given a ban in light of the handball controversy.
However, as holders in 2002, they failed to score a goal in their group as they were eliminated - the worst performance ever provided in finals by the World Cup holders. The chances of failure this time? Sky Bet are offering an attractive 9-4.
Uruguay and Mexico make up the four, and both sides are capable of going beyond the last 16.
The former are 11-10 with Paddy Power to go through, with Mexico 10-11 with Victor Chandler. Two-time winners Uruguay (100-1 various to win, 50-1 to reach the final with Sky Bet) scraped past Costa Rica in a two-legged play-off, having finished fifth in the South American qualifying group with a record of six wins, six draws and six defeats.
They went out in round one in their last finals in 2002, and have done little since finishing fourth in the finals back in 1970. Despite defensive uncertainty, they are strong in attack in the form of Diego Forlan and Ajax's up-and-coming frontman Luis Suarez. They have also picked up some useful results since finishing fourth in the South American Championships of 2007. They are 9-2 with Coral to win the group, and 4-5 (Sky Bet) to finish third or fourth.
Mexico are second-ranked in the group in terms of FIFA's rankings, and they have a wealth of finals experience - this will be their 14th appearance (they are 125-1 with Bet365 to win it this time, 33-1 to reach the final with Sky Bet).
Qualification was straightforward once Javier Aguirre had taken over from Sven Goran Eriksson, who endured a torrid spell as coach.
Aguirre led Mexico to six wins in nine to finish second behind the USA in CONCACAF, and with experience of playing at altitude, the side could be a threat - particularly if Carlos Vela can rediscover the form which saw him earn a move to Arsenal. They also thrashed a weakened USA side 5-0 in the final of the Gold Cup last summer. They are 4-1 (Bet365, Stan James, Coral) to be group winners, and 10-11 (Sky Bet) not to qualify.
General group bets that catch the eye include France first, Uruguay second 4-1, France/South Africa 15-2, Mexico/Uruguay or Uruguay/Mexico 14-1, France first, Mexico second, South Africa third 10-1, and a dual forecast of France and South Africa to go through is 9-2.
Incidentally, this group is the outsider to be highest scoring, offered at 7-1 with Boylesports.
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