Torres hasn’t scored in the 2010 Finals so far and has looked far from fit. His place could be taken by David Silva if Spain coach Vincent Del Bosque reverts back to the 4-5-1 formation he used in Spain’s opening world cup match.

Rated doubtful is midfielder Xabi Alonso, who has an ankle problem. Javi Martinez is the man most likely to step in.

Definitely out, however, is centre back Raul Albiol who also has an ankle injury.

Portugal boss Carlos Queiroz will bring Deco back into the starting XI after the player recovered from a hip problem. He will replace Danny, who is out with a thigh strain.

Also out is Ruben Amorim who, like Danny, has a thigh injury.

KICK-OFF: TUESDAY JUNE 29th 19:30 GMT

LATEST SPAIN vs PORTUGAL ODDS AND BETTING

Definitely out for Marcelo Bielsa’s side are midfielders Matias Fernandez and Carlos Carmona. Jorge Valdivia looks most likely to replace Fernandez, while Rodrigo Millar, who has overcome a calf injury, could step in for Carmona.

Upfront, David Suarzo will again lead the line, despite the Inter striker being on a yellow card.

For Spain, the news of Andres Iniesta’s recovery from a leg injury means that the Barcelona man is likely to start for Del Bosque’s side.

Spain have no other injury worries and are the only side in the 2010 World Cup Finals not to have conceded a booking or red card. However, Del Bosque is unlikely to make any significant changes to the side that won 2-0 last time out. This means David Villa will again be partnered by Fernando Torres in attack.

KICK-OFF: FRIDAY JUNE 25th 19:30 GMT

LATEST CHILE vs SPAIN ODDS AND BETTING MARKETS

Spain boss Del Bosque could make a change from playing two holding midfielders as he did against Switzerland. Sergio Busquets could make way and be replaced by Liverpool forward Fernando Torres. Torres would partner David Villa upfront for Spain.

Almost certainly out, however, is midfielder Andres Iniesta who was injured in Spain’s opening match. Cesc Fabregas could replace the Barcelona man, although Pedrito – who came on a sub in the Spain v Switzerland match is also pushing for a start.

Despite bruising his ribs, defender Sergio Ramos is fit and expected to start for Spain.

The suspension of Tottenham’s Wilson Palacios means that Honduras head coach Reinaldo Rueda will change his starting XI for this match.

Inter Milan striker David Suarzo is back in training after a thigh injury, but is not expected to be fit enough to start against Spain.

KICK-OFF: MONDAY JUNE 21st 19:30 GMT

LATEST SPAIN vs HONDURAS ODDS AND BETTING

Frei, who has scored 40 goals in 73 appearances for Switzerland and is his country’s captain, has an ankle problem and is not fit enough to be considered for this match. Bayer Leverkusen forward Eren Derdiyok will replace Frei upfront.

Also out for Ottmar Hitzfeld’s side is West Ham midfielder Valon Behrami, who misses out with a thigh strain.

Spain boss Vincent Del Bosque remains confident that Andres Iniesta will be fit enough to play, but if the Barcelona man doesn’t make it, Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas will step in to midfield.

With Fernando Torres still recovering full fitness after a knee injury, the Liverpool striker is set for a place on the bench, with David Villa playing upfront on his own for Spain. Support will come from David Silva and 22 year old Juan Mata on the wings.

KICK-OFF: WEDNESDAY JUNE 16th 15:00 GMT

LATEST SPAIN vs SWITZERLAND ODDS AND BETS

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SPAIN TO WIN THE WORLD CUP: 5.0 at Stan James and Intertops

SPAIN TO WIN GROUP H : 1.33 at StanJames – Click To Bet Now

SPAIN WORLD CUP BETTING TIPS

Let’s face it – every international manager would like to have a squad packed with the kind of talent that Spain currently possess.

When he first came to Chelsea,  Jose Mourinho famously commented that he only needed two top quality players in each position and trimmed the squad accordingly.

The thing is:  Mourinho had the luxury of being able to buy the players he needed. International managers don’t have that option.

But Spain do have what Mourinho was looking for: two top class players for every position.

Players of the calibre of Jose Reina, Fernando Torres and Cesc Fabregas – to name but three – don’t even get in the starting line up for many matches and outstanding talents like Mikel Arteta can’t even get in the squad.

It is this strength in depth that will see Spain go far at the 2010 World Cup Finals.

BEST SPAIN WORLD CUP BETTING TIPS

Spain are in Group H with Chile, Honduras and Swizerland and I can see David Villa getting a sackful against teams of that quality. So I like David Villa as top goalscorer at the World Cup finals.

Best Odds on David Villa To Be Top Scorer : 12.0 at Bet365 and Expekt

Spain should avoid Brazil in the second round, while a potential Quarter Final tie with Italy shouldn’t prove too troublesome so I would bet on Spain to reach the semi-finals as well as Spain to reach the World Cup Final.

Best Odds on Spain To Reach Semi-Final : 5.50 at Paddy Power – Click to bet or open account

Best Odds on Spain To Reach Final (Runner Up): 7.0 at Bet24 – Click to Bet Or Open Account


MORE SPAIN ODDS AND WORLD CUP BETTING

GOLDEN SHOE BETTING TIPS : PICKING A WINNER

It is only when reviewing the complete list of contenders for top goalscorer in the 2010 World Cup that you realise just how many great strikers are out there. This makes it even more tricky to tip potential Golden Boot winners.

Top Goalscorers : How Many Goals Are Needed

Below are the top goalscorers for the last six World Cup finals along with number of goals scored and where their team finished in the competition.

Ideally you should be looking to bet on your top goalscorer from among the team likely to reach the Semi-Finals of the competition.

However, a secondary consideration is how easily beatable are the teams in the Group stages. If there are some very weak teams in a Group, then a top class striker can probably have as many as 3 or 4 goals before the group stages are even over.

WORLD CUP TOP GOALSCORER TIPS

There are two groups from where the quality of opposition suggests that a golden boot winner could emerge. These are Group B featuring England and Group H featuring Spain.

Both England’s Wayne Rooney and Spain’s David Villa have been in great form both in qualifying and domestically and both sides are likely to score freely against some of their Group opposition.

So my money is on Rooney and Villa to be among the World Cup 2010 Golden Shoe winners.

BEST ODDS ON WAYNE ROONEY : 14/1 at Stan James

BEST ODDS ON DAVID VILLA : 11/1 at Bet365

We’re holding ourselves up to ridicule by making predictions now, but here’s my suggestions for who might win the World Cup 2010 Finals.

OUTRIGHT WINNER : BETTING TIPS

Spain's David Villa

Spain : I know it’s hardly the most ‘out there’ tip, but Spain are not FIFA’s top ranked football team for nothing.

Just looking at the players that don’t regularly get into the starting line up – people like Pepe Reina, Cesc Fabregas and Fernando Torres – is enough to make you aware of just what strength and depth this side have.

Group H, which consists of Switzerland, Chile and Honduras, is one of the easier groups and Spain should come through that with no problems.

They will then face the runners up of Group G – which could be Portugal or the Ivory Coast. Portugal’s form in qualifying was shocking, while watching the Ivory Coast at AFCON 2010 showed they aren’t as good as team as the individuals who play for them would suggest.

The quarter finals may see Spain face Italy, but at this point injuries and suspensions will be telling and Spain’s squad depth should see them through again.

With talent like Iniesta, Xavi, Villa, Alonso, Casillas…the list goes on and on, it’s hard to see past Spain to win the 2010 World Cup Finals.

BEST ODDS ON SPAIN TO WIN WORLD CUP 2010 : 9/2 at Bet365 – Bet Now And Claim 100% Cash Match Bonus

Tips For Other Challengers

Only the very foolish would rule out cup specialists Italy and, of course, Brazil. Both of these teams know how to win World Cups, but, being frank, I don’t think either have quite the quality they have had in the past.

That didn’t stop Italy at World Cup 2006 of course, so conservative gamblers may want to take Italy at 13/1 with Expekt to win or Brazil at 5/1 with Stan James.

WORLD CUP BETTING TIPS : THE EACH WAY PUNT

I’m very definitely sticking my neck out here, but as an outside bet I do like the look of Holland.

I know all their players are made of papier mache and are likely to break at any moment. I’m also aware that they could run into Spain in the Quarter Finals, but they’ve got an impressive array of classy players and their performances at Euro 2008 suggests a togetherness not previously apparent among this famously fractious team.

At odds of 14/1 at Stan James (and others), this is an each way bet worth having.