Plenty of fun can be had betting on the world cup. My own personal favorite is to bet on the "next goal" markets. I'll choose a game like England v Trinidad & Tobago and put £50 on England at odds about 1.2 (this means a win would return £10 profit). Doesn't sound a lot but keep doing it during a high scoring one-sided game and you can easily double or treble your starting amount. My own opinion is if England don't beat this team 5-0 it's a major shock and I expect at least 7-0.
As for the winner, I look no further then Germany for the value bet. Among the many reasons for this are; They are the hosts and that counts for a lot. The pastournamentsts have shown the host countries often perform above expectation. Germany have had four years to plan and prepare without the need to worry about qualification games. The one thing most Germans can do well is prepare. Germany seldom under perform in the world cup but the their world ranking (now 19th) has suffered over the last few years, so they will be now at a much better price for what is an home event remember.
So what of England ? Well, the fact the cup finals are this year back in Europe should also help all Europeanan teams. So if not Germany then perhaps England but my own fear is their defencive organisationon is too weak. Against top teams they depend a lot on the midfeild to cover, this blunts their own attacking options. Rooney or not, I fear it's yet another semi-final defeat and perhaps on penalties yet again.
The Market - I don't think the winner will come form outside this group.
Brazil 3.5
Germany 9.5
France 15
Holland 15
Czech Republic 34
But if you want an outsider that could surprise try Croatia at 67
