“We have taken a lot of patriotic bets on Australia but the promise of cash and plenty of it from Qatar is our biggest hurdle.” said sportsbet’s Matthew Campbell.
The Australian delegation has put forward it’s presentation and now the country waits for  FIFA Executive committee to vote tomorrow morning Australian time.
“The United State would like to think they can host the tournament again, but we see it a s a choice of two.” said Campbell
Market courtesy of Sportsbet

2022 FIFA WORLD CUP HOST
$2.00 Qatar (in from $3.25)
$2.50 Australia (in from $3.00)
$3.50 United States (out from $2.40)
$26 Japan (out from $12.00)
$34 South Korea (out from $15.00)

The bookie has priced Kewell at $8 to play in Brazil, while only offering $1.05 on Harry not to play.
“Harry would be almost 36 before the next World Cup and his body has to stand up to another four tough years of football,” said Sportsbet’s Haydn Lane.
“Let’s hope all the planets align and we can go deep into this World Cup because it would be a shame for Harry to bow out after a dubious red card decision.
“It seems unlikely he’ll be there in four years time but as Aussies we’d love to be proven wrong.”

In other World Cup betting news, Australia are rated a $4 chance to beat Serbia, but are paying $11 to make it past the group stage.

Brazil and Argentina have been the best backed teams to win the World Cup, while one punter clearly has a crystal ball as he placed $10 on Portugal to win 7-0 against North Korea overnight at the odds of $401 for a $4,000 win!

Its a great time for punters as you are not limited to one bookmaker, you can join two or three bookies and claim the offers from each one.

Make sure to checkout our World Cup betting guide here for tips on how to get the most out of your bets.

Here at Sportsbet Blog we have reviewed all the offer available and this is our top 5 betting offers for this World Cup.

1. Sportsbet’s World Cup $200 Free Bet bundle

When opening a new betting account Sportsbet match 100% of your first resulted bet up to $100 free. When you place your next 10 bets they will then match 100% of their average value up to $100 free.
Bonuses are credited in to your account as real cash.

2. Luxbet’s Free World Cup Jumper Promotion

Luxbet is giving you a free genuine World Cup jumper of your choice. To get the jumper all you need to do is make your first deposit of $150 or more and they will send you an email with a form to claim your jumper.

I checked out the Rebel Sport website and these jumpers cost $140 so it’s a great offer to take advantage of.

Luxbet is owned by the TAB so if your already betting at your local TAB its well worth joining Luxbet and getting a free jumper.

3. IASbet $100 World Cup Free Bet Offer

Although its not as big a free bet as the $200 Sportsbet offer, IASbet’s free bet is much easier to get. Simply make a deposit of $50 or more and use the promotional code FREEBET. Your $100 free bet will then be deposited into your account within 24 hours.

4. Centrebet’s Two Offers

Centrebet have been the most creative when it come to their offers this World Cup. They have 2 unique offers that could land you with a heap of free bets.

• Deposit $100 or more and place $20 or more on any World Cup market. Then watch the free bets roll in. For every goal Australia score you get a $20 free bet!
• Place a bet on Australia to quality from the Group Stage of the World Cup and if they come in 3rd in Group D  Centrebet will refund all losing bets!

I like both of these offers as you could work them to your advantage. Eg. Back Australia not to score so if they do you know a free bet will come your way, a win-win situation!

5. Sportingbet Two Offers

• 10% Winner’s Bonus. Make a minimum bet of $10 on selected World Cup markets and if you win you get a 10% bonus on you winning’s. This offer is a great way to get bigger payouts than any other bookie online.
• Socceroos first goal second chance. Place $10 or more bet on an Australian player to be the first goal scorer in any of their matches, and if Australia fails to score a single goal in the match, Sportingbet will give you a $10 Free Bet.

After looking at all the main Australian bookies Sportsbet has come out on top for range of betting markets and for the best odds.

They cover every World Cup match and include all the usual bets like half time/full time, number of goals and wining margin. They also have a full range of special bets for all of the Socceroos matches.

See our top 5 best World Cup free bet offers here

Here are my top 5 tips when betting on the 2010 World Cup

1. Remember the Draw. If you back a team to win remember if its a draw after 90 minutes you lose your bet even if the game goes to extra time during the finals.
2. Live betting. If your pre-game bet is looking bad it may be worth making an in-play bet to minimise your losses.
3. Most teams will start the group stage matches pretty conservatively so take a careful approach to half time/full time bets.
4. Multi bets. Group stages make for great multi bets. Stick with the favourites in a 3 or 4 leg multi and get some decent odds.
5. Bet on New Zealand to finish bottom of their group. I’m tipping this will happen and at $1.20 its as safe as houses!

The reason I like Sportsbet the most for this World Cup is for the unusual bets that can be placed. They make a match very exciting and keeps you on edge for the full 90 minutes.

Here are some of the more unusual betting options available at Sportsbet for the 2010 FIFA World Cup

First Socceroo to be shown a card

Tim Cahill 7.00

Lucas Neill 7.00

Craig Moore 8.00

Brett Emerton 9.00

More players here

I’ll be backing Lucas Neill here, he will be much more busy than any striker and more likely to be chasing the player with the ball.

Australian top goal scorer

Tim Cahill 3.75

Harry Kewell 4.50

Josh Kennedy 4.50

No Goals scored by an Australian 8.00

I think Timmy’s a safe choice here, Harry could easily miss a game or two with injury and the Socceroos will depend on him much more.

More players here

Australia’s stage of elimination.

Group Stage 1.33

Second Round 4.50

Quarter Finals 12.00

Semi Finals 23.00

Runner Up 81.00

You would be a game man to back anything past a 2nd round elimination. Remember top 2 to through so there’s some value in $4.50.

Double Chance

Germany and Draw 1.08

Germany and Australia 1.20

Australia and Draw 2.40

Australia will be very happy with a draw in this match and will most likely playing for one. The Aussie and draw could be a worthy option here.

Sportsbet have a World Cup promo running at the moment giving new customers up to a $200 free bet. Simply make an account with Sportsbet and make your first deposit. Sportsbet will then instantly match your first deposit up to $100.

The 2nd part of the bonus is given after 10 bets have been placed. Sportsbet work out the average amount waged and refund that amount up to $100.

See the Sportsbet site here for more info in this great soccer offer and to make an account.

There is no doubt that the side has done well to even gain a spot in South Africa having navigated it’s way through a tough Asian qualifying section. Trips to the likes of Bahrain and Iraq are always tough but lets be honest they are games that we would expect to come out on top in and facing these teams is nothing to facing the likes of Germany, Spain or a rampant England.

The truth is that the Socceroo’s are an aging side and barr Tim Cahill they have no world class talent. Mark Viduka has retired, Lucas Neill is not performing at the same level that saw become one of the most dominant centre backs in the English Premier League, while Harry Kewell at 31 is past his peak and will probably start the tournament just  70% fit. And as for the young talent coming through, well there isn’t any. Tommy Oar is raw and could be one for the future but I am afraid that this World Cup Campaign is going to be something of an embarrassment.

Despite my pessimistic view on the Socceroos hopes there are some good bets involving them that you should get on to. As I have already said Tim Cahill is the Aussies superstar and with his ability to get in to the box and score goals he must be a shoe in to finish as his countries top goal scorer. Sportsbet are offering $4.00 for him to do so, odds that are too good to miss out on in my opinion.

I feel that we could get something out of the Germans, yes the Germans. We will be up for the first game, Kewell will be well rested and out to prove his fitness and we could just catch them cold making $3.55 at Centrebet for a draw worth a punt. But going up against the likes of Germany, Serbia and Ghana the most likely result is that they wont even pick up a point. So go to Centrebet now and take them up on their free bet offer with odds of $7.75 you can’t lose.

Maradona has an undoubted passion for the game and his country.  All he knows is football, all he craves is success and with his illustrious history he will instantly have the respect of his players. The ones that are there will want to play for him, and if he can push his enthusiasm out with them on to the pitch for just seven matches in South Africa there is no doubt that Argentina have every chance of causing an upset. Oh yeah, and isn’t that Lionel Messi Argentinian as well. Making odds of $9.00 at Centrebet well worth a punt.

I personally feel that while Maradona will prove a lot of people wrong in this tournament but that the chances of Argentina lifting the trophy are minimal, and a semi final birth will be the best that they can hope for. They are quite simply a one man Lionel Messi team and as Inter Milan proved the other night against Barcelona Messi can be and will be marked out of games. They will definitely win their group Centrebet will pay a $1.45 for that. You could even double that up with a bet that Tim Cahill will be the Aussies top goal scorer at $4.00 that is well worth using your free bet at Centrebet. But we will look deeper in to the Socceroos chances next week.

Here at Sportsbetblog.com.au we are going to look all the likely winners and some of the countries with something of an outside chance, so that you know where best to place your free bet from Sportsbet

England

As with every other Englishman around the world I began 2010 full of hope and optimism. England cruised through their qualifying group unbeaten. Wayne Rooney is scoring goals for fun. Steven Gerrard is fit and in John Terry we have one of the best center backs in the business. But as always something just had to go wrong for us and burst the big bubble that was beginning to build.

The last few months has been full of nothing but controversy for the England squad with John Terry and Ashley Cole sleeping with anything in a skirt and an orange spray tan, including team mates wives, that has resulted in nothing but bad press. Then there was the amazing news that super boss Fabio Cappello was being spied on during a friendly game against Egypt as the rest of the world tries to find out what makes him a true football genius. All of this has come on top of the news that Rooney is injured and will miss the rest of the season and could struggle to be fit for the first game in South Africa. While talisman David Beckham is definately out after snapping his achilles tendon playing for Italian side AC Milan.

COULD ANYTHING ELSE GO WRONG?

But despite the down sides to the year I still think we have a serious chance of pulling something out of our backsides at this World Cup. Rooney swears that he will make it, Gerrard is coming in to good form and in Cappello we have a coach that seems to be able to get our players to produce their club form at the international level, which has been a major problem for so long in English football.

In a recent interview with ‘Soccer International’ magazine Cappello also revealed the team has been practising the dreaded penalties, “We practice penalties a lot. For the finals, we have time to decide who will take the penalties. I will get them to practice. But practice is easy without a crowd!”

So if JT can keep it in his pants for just at least six months I feel that we maybe in with a chance and the bookies seem to agree with Centrebet making them third favourites at $6.50.

Keep one eye on the telecast, and the other on Betfair, and make the most of Betfair’s dynamic markets. They’ll be open from when the referee blows his whistle until, well… he blows it again at the end. With opportunities every second, that’s over 54,000 seconds (plus injury time) of opportunities.

Betfair are accepting in-play bets on heaps of sports this summer including the Australian Open tennis, the Australian Summer of cricket and A-League soccer.

As well as having the largest market of in-play bets Betfair also have a summer promo giving you the chance to win Apple Ipods, XBox 360′s and Free Bets just for betting with Betfair!

Betting during a match is easy. Simply make an account at the Betfair website here, then call 1800 TELBET (that’s 1800 835 238) 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to speak to one of their efficient betting staff and place your in-play bet.

For more info on how Betfair works and how to get your hands on a prize checkout their website here or see our Betfair Review.

After Perth Glory and Gold Coast United both finished level with their opponents last weekend, Sydney FC has once again claimed top place and Melbourne Victory has jumped up in to second.

Adelaide United tied 1-1 with the Newcastle Jets at Hindmarsh stadium on Monday.

Perth Glory V Adelaide United

7:00pm Friday Night at ME Bank Stadium

Perth Glory has showed their strength over the last few rounds and I would expect that they take the win in this round 10 game with ease. Adelaide United just does not have the strength this season to stay in this game.

My Prediction: Perth Glory – Odds of $2.10

Melbourne Victory V Sydney FC

8:00pm Friday Night at Etihad Stadium

With the current form of Melbourne Victory I would expect them to be able to step up and take the win. This will be a close game however as both teams will be competing for top spot on the A-league table. I like the score line of 2-1.

Tip: Melbourne Victory – Odds of $2.00

Central Coast Mariners V North Queensland Fury

3:00pm Sunday at Bluetongue Stadium

The Central Coast Mariners should easily take the win here. North Queensland has only taken 1 win this year and overall they have not played well. The Mariners on the other hand are a quality side and will not lose easily.

Tip: Central Coast Mariners – Odds of $1.70

Brisbane Roar V Gold Coast United

4:00pm Saturday Afternoon at Suncorp Stadium

The recent run of poor form that Gold Coast United has produced leads me to question how competitive they can be for the remainder of the season. Brisbane Roar has maintained steady form this season and they should at least challenge for the victory.

Tip: Draw – Odds of $3.15

Wellington Phoenix V Newcastle Jets

8:00pm Monday 4^th November at Westpac Stadium

With this match not being played until the start of November, I cannot give a fair opinion. Anything could happen over the mid-season break, but for now I would back the Newcastle Jets.

Tip: Newcastle Jets

Chelsea

The Chelsea side is a very formidable opponent no matter where they play and have only taken the 1 loss so far in the 2009/10 Premier League season. Apart from a draw in a pre-season friendly, Chelsea had won every match so far this season until the surprise 3-1 loss to Wigan last weekend and they’ll be seeking to overcome this quickly. They also have a great chance to move 6 points clear of a major rival.

Along with Man U, Chelsea is the side to beat and have made an impressive start to their Premier League campaign.

Chelsea is developing a slight problem with injuries and has a few of players on the sidelines. Mikel, Ballack and Alex are all out for this weekend’s clash.

Liverpool

Liverpool has made an impressive return to form after their shaky start to the 2009/10 Premier League season despite losing to Fiorentina on Wednesday. Prior to this they had notched up 6 consecutive wins. The Liverpool side is shaping up a little differently this season with a more attacking mentality. They were able to score 6 times last weekend against Hull City.

Liverpool is quite clearly capable of winning this Sunday and will be keen to level on points with their title rivals.

The injury list at Liverpool shouldn’t affect their game too much with Aquilani on the sidelines with an ankle/foot injury and Mascherano looking doubtful with a virus.

My Opinion

This could quite possibly be the best Premier League match that we’ll see this season with both teams desperate to get the other out of the title race. Although it is still early in the season a loss here will hurt.

I would expect to see a draw, although it has been sometime since Chelsea last lost at Stamford Bridge. The new found attacking style of Liverpool could very well see this turn into a high scoring affair. As a Liverpool supporter I would like to see them win, but I would consider this to be an unlikely result.

My Tip – Draw (Odds of $3.45 at Betfair)