| Outright Odds: 3/1 | | | | turn it on when it matters most of all. Brazil, even |
| Group F Winners: 1/4 | | | | without Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and Cafu, hammered |
| What else is there to be said about Brazil? They are | | | | Argentina 4-1 in the final of last year's Confederations |
| the only team to have participated in every World Cup | | | | Cup held in Germany in what could be seen as the |
| finals and are five times winners in 1958, 1962, 1970, | | | | "warm up" to this year's finals. |
| 1994 and 2002. They have also finished as runners up | | | | The other 31 countries participating in the tournament |
| twice in 1950 and 1998. | | | | need some hope that Brazil can be beaten and they |
| Manager Carlos Alberto Parreira, who won it in 1994 | | | | do have some weaknesses. Goalkeeper Dida is prone |
| has possibly a better squad of players at his disposal | | | | to some dodgy moments, although he is nowhere the |
| than he did 12 years ago and instead of Bebeto, | | | | liability he was regarded as four years during his |
| Romario and Rai he now has Adriano, Ronaldo and | | | | calamitous appearances in AC Milan's Champions |
| Ronaldinho. It is unlikely the man who has lead four | | | | League campaign. Roque Junior, who had a |
| different nations to the finals (Kuwait 1982, UAE 1990, | | | | forgettable loan spell at Leeds United, could also be |
| Brazil 1994 and Saudi Arabia 1998) will be complaining. | | | | seen as a weak link at the back. |
| Brazil start as clear favourites for the tournament and | | | | These minor imperfections could be seen as clutching |
| have attacking resources to frighten any opposing | | | | at straws as overall, as a team and even as a squad, |
| managers. As well as the trio already described, throw | | | | Brazil ooze world class quality with the important |
| Kaka, Robinho, Roberto Carlos and Juninho into the | | | | players vastly experienced in terms of World Cup |
| mix and goals can come from literally anywhere on | | | | finals appearances and success. |
| the pitch. | | | | While Brazil are the firm bookmaker's favourites, top |
| Qualification wasn't the breeze it should have been, | | | | goal scorer punters may like to try Adriano to win the |
| with two defeats and seven draws in 18 matches. It is | | | | Golden Boot. Strike partner Ronaldo, who won the |
| important to consider though Parreira was forced to | | | | coveted title four years ago is only offered at single |
| shuffle the pack as injuries and European teams | | | | figures. |
| demanding their players were kept fit. | | | | Recommended Bet |
| In terms of individual talent, Brazil are streets ahead of | | | | The 3/1 on offer of a Brazil victory looks decidedly |
| anyone else participating in the finals, but that is not | | | | good value before kick-off while Adriano could shine in |
| how a football team should be judged. What we do | | | | his first major finals appearance. |
| know, however, is that a fully-fit first-choice team will | | | | |