The wait is over as World Cup betting action begins on Friday with the host country South Africa facing Mexico. The World Cup odds on this game are very close with Mexico a very slight favorite on the three-way soccer betting line in this match that can be seen on ESPN. World Cup betting odds list Mexico at +150, South Africa at +170 and the Draw at +210. The total is two with the over at -150. This is a key match for both teams as they look to advance from Group A. Mexico is really just looking to survive what is going to be a hugely emotional game for South Africa. Many people are predicting that Mexico will just be looking to get a draw.
France is the favorite in Group A in World Cup betting but it is wide open as to who will be the other team that advances from this group and that is why Friday’s match is so important. The home crowd advantage is going to be huge for South Africa with the match being played in Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg. South Africa will need the home field advantage because their team really isn’t very good. In this type of opener though they could definitely play beyond their abilities and get the win. Mexico’s head coach Javier Aguirre is definitely worried about the energy that South Africa will get from about 100,000 fans. South Africa will look to play tough defense and hope that midfielder Steven Pienaar can make a few plays.
Mexico has advanced to the round of 16 in the last four World Cups but they lost each time in that round. Mexico will be led in this year’s World Cup by young forward Javier Hernandez and the veteran Cuauhtemoc Blanco. Mexico also has a good goaltender in Guillermo Ochoca and some other talented players including Giovani dos Santos.
Every World Cup host team has made it out of the group stage but that streak is in serious jeopardy this year. South Africa is one of the weaker teams in the World Cup but they do have the advantage of a weak group. France is not nearly as good as they were four years ago while Mexico is wildly inconsistent. The best team in the group might be Uruguay but they are no power in World Cup odds.