FIFA 2014 World Cup

Who Will Win the World Cup?

South Africa 2010 promises to be the biggest and best World Cup so far and there's no doubt in my mind that it's the widest open tournament in 80 years of the great event.

That judgement is backed up by the fact that it is virtually 5/1 the field but I can't argue with the side that the odds compilers have as favourites and Spain are the team that everybody has to beat.

Brazil, five-time winners, should push them all the way but the ante post jollies could face each other early on and perhaps the value lies in the other half of the draw.

Spain's football at Euro 2008 took the breath away at times and, whatever opinion you take in the outright, a saver on del Bosque's men is a must. Their strength in depth in unrivalled and, crucially, they are not over reliant on one player - even ones as brilliant as Andreas Iniesta and Fernando Torres.

The class of Groups G and H means there is bound to be early big name causalities but the likes of England, Argentina, Germany and France have avoided such treacherous clashes and all, particularly the first-named, will fancy their chances.

The Three Lions must hold decent claims, providing all their key players remain fit, but 11/2 with 888 sport is only fair and there is value to be had elsewhere.

In addition to Spain, the fancied side I want to be with is Holland. Bert van Marwijk's men were fantastic in patches in Austria-Switzerland, thrashing Italy, France and Romania before being defeated by Russia, and I think they've progressed since then.

Holland's attacking players, van Persie, Robben, van der Vaart et al., are among the best around and this could be the time that the myth regarding their lack of team spirit is finally dispelled.

The Dutch surely hold better claims than the likes of Germany and France at similar odds and the 14/1 with Paddy Power is more than acceptable.

At bigger prices, and without doubt the best value on offer, is Serbia at a tasty looking 80/1 with Bet 365. They have formed a terrific team spirit, possess an abundance of undiscovered talent and may just be able to nick top spot in Group D.

Edging out Germany, Ghana and Australia to claim first place would almost certainly mean Serbia avoid England in the last eight and I'm also very interested in a number of their young stars in various Player of the Tournament markets which will emerge nearer the time.

Finally, I must give a mention to Portugal who, despite being drawn in the undoubted Group of Death, are too big to ignore at 28/1 with William Hill.

Cristiano Ronaldo, the best player in the world despite Lionel Messi's recent gongs, has the ability to win the tournament singlehandedly for the Portuguese but his teammates are more than capable of providing decent support along the way and their recent big game experience is second to none.

FIFA World Cup Top Scorer

Impossible to disagree with the Spanish pairing of David Villa and Fernando Torres heading most Golden Boot markets, 11/1 with Bet 365 and 12/1 with Sky Bet respectively, but the dynamic duo may just cut each other's throats in the scoring charts and instead it is perhaps best to concentrate on top teams who rely on one main striker to find the net.

At 16/1 with VC Bet England's Wayne Rooney fits the profile perfectly and, with Capello's men surely due for a stay in South Africa of at least five matches, the Manchester United striker looks tremendous value.

Rooney burst onto the international scene at Euro 2004, scoring four goals in as many games as England were eliminated at the quarterfinal stage, and no player thrives on the big occasion more.

With England lacking another recognised striker alongside Rooney, the shot shy Emile Heskey appears set to partner him in attack, his goals will be crucial if they are to succeed and I am backing him to produce.

Rooney has notched 11 times for his country in the last 15 months and a record of 25 goals in 57 appearances for the 1966 winners is very tidy indeed.

Following Cristiano Ronaldo's Old Trafford exit in the summer Rooney has been asked to take up a more central role in the search for goals by Sir Alex Ferguson, he often played wide-left last season, and has flourished for the English champions this term.

Rooney has 12 Premier League goals to his name already during the current campaign but he looks equally threatening in the white shirt of England and his blossoming partnership with Steven Gerrard for the national side has started to reap rewards.

Gerrard, an increasingly positive influence on matches under Capello, often looks for his Liverpudlian chum in the final third and I'd want very few other midfielders in South Africa supplying a final ball in preference to the Anfield captain.

Given his importance to England, Rooney is virtually assured of playing every minute for the Three Lions, injury permitting, and he has attractive looking games against Algeria, USA and Slovenia in the group stage in which to fill his boots.

I can see him making hay, England are scoring plenty these days, and while it's a disadvantage that he must gave way to Frank Lampard in penalty taking duties it isn't enough to dissuade me that this is cracking bet.

I'm very keen on Rooney's claims, and therefore won't be spreading around the stake too much, but one player worth siding with at big prices is giant Serbian striker Nikola Zigic.

The beanpole forward has struggled to make an impact for his club side Valencia this season, Zigic is clearly behind David Villa in the pecking order, but remains one of the first names on the team sheet for national coach Radomir Antic and the 150/1 with Bet 365 is probably on the large side.

Zigic enjoyed a terrific loan spell at Racing Santander during the second half of last season, scoring 13 times in 19 appearances, and, while it would clearly be more beneficial were he featuring regularly for the La Liga club, he is the main threat for a very talented Serbia side.

The likes of Dejan Stankovic and Milan Jovanovic should ensure they create plenty of chances and Zigic could enjoy himself against a far from solid German defence, Ghana and Australia in Group D.