Michael / 15 January 2010 Free Bet

Every Thursday we'll be looking at a World Cup group and offering predictions on which two teams will head through. Unsurprisingly, we're starting with Group A, where we expect outsiders South Africa to progress to the knockout stages alongside France...

France ([2.12] to win the group, [18.0] the trophy)
Les Bleus' pitiful exits from World Cup 2002 and Euro 2008 have clearly scarred too many punters, judging by their generous odds to win Group A. Admittedly, they made a real mess of qualifying but that just means that they're in good company - Uruguay needed a play-off, Mexico required a change of coach and South Africa wouldn't have got through the first group phase in Africa were in not for their automatic entry as hosts.

Mexico ([4.7] to win the group, [140.0] the trophy)
The masters of the round-of-16 elimination, having made instant exits from the knockout phase at each of the last four tournaments, will struggle to even get that far this time. The household names are aging: their top scorer in the final qualifying phase Chauthemoc Blanco will be 37 when things get underway, while behind him was injury-prone 33-year-old striker Guillermo Franco.

South Africa ([7.8] to win the group, [120.0] the trophy)
No World Cup host has ever failed to get through the first round but then again, none have ever not been good enough to qualify for the African Nations Cup. South Africa did well at the Confederations Cup though, losing to an 88th-minute goal against Brazil in the semi-finals and an extra-time winner against Spain in the third-place play-off. As they gave the two World Cup favourites a run for their money on home soil, we fancy Steven Pienaar and co to keep the host streak alive.

Uruguay ([5.0] to win the group, [140.0] the trophy)
Boasting a formidable history, as two-time World Cup winners, and some big names up front in Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez, Uruguay should in theory be strong contenders to reach the last 16. The reality is different though, as anyone who watched them make Diego Maradona's Argentina look a dominant, well-organised unit in their decisive final qualifier will be aware. They haven't reached the knockout rounds since 1990 and we expect them to suffer more disappointment.

Betfair Football predicts...
We think France's quality will finally shine through for once and they will win the group at [2.12], while South Africa should be backed at [2.78].

Disagree with our support of the hosts? Both Mexico and Uruguay can be backed at [2.04] to qualify for the second round...