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So, we have seen every team now, and I now think it is time to nail my colours to the mast. So, who is going to win the World Cup 2010?
After their shock 1-0 defeat to Switzerland in their first game, Spain's (6.5 at bwin) odds have dropped like a stone. There is a worrying precedent for the European champions, no World Cup winner has EVER lost their first game and gone on to win the tournament.
Argentina (7.0 at Bet365, William Hill) and Germany (9.0 at extrabet) have been the big movers in the market after impressing in the first round of games. But I am certainly not convinced about the Germans, who are a young squad with no amount of skill, but may find themselves coming unstuck against more sophisticated opposition than Australia.
Argentina, meanwhile, have always looked like a great team on paper, and will be hoping that Lionel Messi has a more potent game than he did in the first match - but there are doubts for me about their fragility.
Brazil (6.25 at bwin) are everyone's favourite to win now. But only those blinded by the commentary will believe that they are the real article. The North Koreans showed that an organised team can contain a Brazil team that moves the ball too slowly.
Only three other teams are in with a shout: England (9.5 at bwin), Holland (10.0 at bodog) and Italy (17.0 at Ladbrokes)
I am bullish on England's prospects after the first game. They have a world beater and played in a formation that will be good enough to win this tournament. The only issue is that accident-prone defence.
Italy will progress far further than people originally believed as they have married their natural instinct to defence with an attacking spirit. I worry, though, that they will run out of goals at the crucial moment.
So, that leaves Holland, who looked the most potentially potent of the big guns: they won with some ease in the end, have unearthed a viable replacement on the wing for Arjen Robben in Eljero Elia and will only improve.
Tip: 3pts Holland to win the World Cup at 9/1 (10.0 at bodog); 2pts England to win at 17/2 (9.5 at bwin)
