Brazil is heavily favored on Tuesday in 2010 World Cup odds as they play North Korea. Of all the opening World Cup betting lines, this one has the highest odds. Brazil is one of the favorites to win the 2010 World Cup while North Korea is one of the weakest teams in the field. Brazil is laying 2.5 goals to North Korea with the total on the match at 3. The three-way line that includes the draw has Brazil at -1050, North Korea at +2350 and the draw at +675. Anything less than a convincing Brazil win would be a major surprise in this match.
Brazil is a five-time World Cup champion and they are co-favorites along with Spain to win the title this year. Brazil has a talented roster that includes Kaka, Robinho, Maicon, Lucio, Luis Fabiano, Michel Bastos, Gilberto Silva and Felipe Melo. The leading scorer for Brazil in qualifying was Fabiano who scored nine goals. The key player for Brazil is probably Maicon who is one of the best right-backs in the world.
North Korea will be making just their second-ever World Cup appearance as they also played in the 1966 World Cup. North Korea will try and win with defense and realistically that is their only chance to compete against a team like Brazil. They are not going to outscore Brazil. In fact, they are not likely to outscore any of the teams in this group. Just getting a point might be considered an accomplishment.
North Korea doesn’t have many big names on the roster. In fact, only three players even play outside of the country. Captain Hong Yong-Jo plays on the Russian Premier League side FC Rostov. Jong Tae-Se and An Yong-Hak both play in Japan. The top scorer in qualifying was Hong Yong-Jo who scored four times.
North Korea is not expected to win a match in Group G but they could have a say in who advances. If they can steal even a single point against Portugal or Ivory Coast they could keep one of those two teams out of the next round. It is extremely unlikely they can do anything against Brazil other than lose although on the betting line they are getting 2.5 goals so perhaps they can stay within two goals and cover the line.