Arguably the toughest group on paper, in the fact that all four nations having a realistic chance of qualification.
Of course, it is likely that the other three nations will be fighting for second place behind Germany, the three-time winners having finished in third place in their homeland four years ago. They are 10-11 to win the group with Victor Chandler and Ladbrokes, and 2-11 (Sky Bet Bookmaker) to progress.
They are arguably stronger than in 2006 too, with a more settled line-up, some young talent coming through aided by the goals of Miroslav Klose. They are 14-1 with seven firms including Tote Sport, Sky Bet and Victor Chandler to go two better this time, and 13-2 (Sky Bet) to make the final - as they did most recently in 2002. Germany have only once - in 1938 - failed to go beyond the first phase, and are 7-2 (Sky Bet) to 'achieve' that feat 72 years later.
Serbia are ranked 20 – one place above Australia – and it is the first time they have reached a major finals in their current guise. Four years ago, as Serbia and Montenegro, they lost all three group games (they are 4-5 with Sky Bet to fail to get through again this time) but should prove stronger opponents this time. They topped a qualifying group which included France, and coached by former Luton Town midfielder Radomir Antic, boast talented players throughout the side including Nemanja Vidic of Manchester United, Inter Milan’s Dejan Stankovic and 6ft 8ins striker Nikola Zigic. Bet365 offer odds of 80-1 on a World Cup win, with 28-1 (Sky Bet) they reach the final.
They are also 21-5 (Tote Sport) to head the group, and 5-4 with Victor Chandler to qualify – the same as Ghana (the latter odds offered by Paddy Power).
Australia were impressive performers last time out in Germany, losing out to a controversial late penalty against eventual winners Italy in the last 16.
Having moved over to the Asian Confederation since then, they eased through to the finals without conceding a goal in their final six group games. you can claim a free World Cup bet on them here. Goalscoring midfielder Tim Cahill should again prove a key figure – he hit the Socceroos’ first-ever World Cup finals goal in a dramatic victory over Japan in 2006.
There are plenty of other familiar faces who are likely to be influential in any potential success who include Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, defender Lucas Neill and winger Harry Kewell – back in form and injury free in Turkey with Galatasaray. Despite this, they are perceived as group outsiders in terms of World Cup final-reaching potential (66-1 Sky Bet) – and are 150 with Victor Chandler to land the biggest prize. They are also 9-1 with Stan James and Coral to win the group, 5-2 (Sky Bet) to finish first or second – and 2-7 group favourites to fail to progress beyond this stage with the same firm.
Chelsea's Michael Essien will be key to any potential Ghana success.
He helped his country beyond the first phase four years ago, finishing second behind Italy in a group that also included Czech Republic and USA - and they were the first African qualifiers (apart from hosts South Africa) in an admittedly easy group for 2010.
The Black Stars will also rely on Inter Milan's Sulley Muntari, although with question marks at the back and in attack, they are unlikely to go anywhere near the final - although if you do fancy an ambitious punt, they are 80-1 (various) to win - and 40-1 (Sky Bet) to reach the final. Sky Bet, Bet Fred and Paddy Power have them as 5-1 to top the group, and 4-6 (Sky Bet) to go out at this stage.
The group betting offers some decent value for punters, with the following catching the eye (all odds from Sky Bet):
Germany first, Ghana second 10-3; Germany/Australia 11-2; Serbia/Germany 11-2; Australia/Germany 12-1; Australia/Serbia 40-1; Germany first, Serbia second, Ghana third 9-2; Germany/Australia/Serbia or Germany/Ghana/Australia 10-1; Australia/Germany/Serbia 22-1; dual forecast eye-catchers - again from Sky Bet - include Germany and Ghana 15-8, Germany and Australia 10-3, Serbia and Ghana 12-1, and Ghana and Australia 22-1.
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