Spain Still the Sportsbook Favorite World Cup Rosters. World Cup rosters were announced on Tuesday and some big names who normally impact sportsbook odds were left out. Brazil will not have Ronaldinho while Francesco Totti and Luca Toni are not on Italy’s roster. Spain and Brazil are the two favorites at the offshore sportsbook to win the World Cup.
Sportsbook odds list Spain and Brazil at 4-1 to win the World Cup that begins next month in South Africa. Each of the 32 teams in the World Cup had to announce their provisional 30-man rosters by Tuesday. Brazil left off Ronaldinho, Adriano and Neymar. Brazil coach Dunga is sticking to players that helped win last year’s Confederations Cup. “These players are winners,” Dunga said. “There is no doubt that they are prepared to help Brazil reach its goal. They are ready to give their best for the country.” Other big names like Ruud van Nistelrooy of the Netherlands and Totti of Italy were left off rosters.
Spain is a favorite at the sportsbook and three of their top players are injured. Xavi Hernandez, Cesc Fabregas and Fernando Torres are dealing with injuries but all three are on the Spain roster. England is another favorite in World Cup odds at the offshore sportsbook. They included on their roster 32-year old Jamie Carragher and Gareth Berry. “The FA got in touch a few weeks ago and asked if I would have a rethink, due to injury problems,” Carragher said. “I said I would make myself available. The World Cup and Champions League are the highest levels of football. I am keen to work under Fabio Capello.”
Australia included Harry Kewell on their roster even though he has a groin injury. Switzerland included 18-year-old Xherdan Shaqiria on their final roster. Other roster inclusions were not a surprise including Ivory Coast’s Didier Drogba who scored 29 goals this season for Chelsea to lead the Premier League. Ivory Coast is an interesting team in World Cup odds at the sportsbook. They are a darkhorse candidate with odds of 20-1. “It’s not enough to hope Drogba will go out and score some goals,” Ivory Coast coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said. “If we don’t play as a team, we cannot be impressive. Quality isn’t enough in football, you need to work together.” Ivory Coast plays in a very tough group G with Brazil and Portugal but they could be the second team from that Group that advances as Portugal looks weak.