Bookmaker's favourites
Afp, London
Argentina, Brazil, England and Italy are the favourites to reach the World Cup semi-finals, according to English bookmakers on Wednesday. Argentina are rated at 6-4 to beat hosts Germany with Paddy Power, Ladbrokes and William Hill. Italy are 8-13 on to beat World Cup debutants Ukraine, with Oleg Blokhin's side 9-2 to shock the 1982 winners. England are marginal favourites at 10-11 on to get revenge on Portugal for their defeat against Luiz Felipe Scolari's side at Euro 2004. Reigning world champions Brazil are 4-5 on to beat France, who are 7-2 to repeat their 1998 final triumph over the South Americans. William Hill makes Brazil firm favourites to retain their trophy at 9-4, followed by Argentina (7-2), Germany (9-2) and England (11-2). Ukraine are 50-1 outsiders, while Portugal are 16-1, France 11-1 and Italy 13-2.
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