FOOTBALL: WORLD CUP BETTING

THEY MADE heavy weather of beating Saudi Arabia 1-0 but Denmark can step up on that form by beating South Africa (possibly 2-0) in Toulouse this afternoon.

Brian Laudrup failed to make much of an impression in their first match, but still appeals as the best bet for first goalscorer. South Africa looked moderate in going down 3-0 to the host nation last week and is is hard to see them making much impression against Denmark, who are fancied to take the runners-up berth in Group C.

France should overwhelm Saudi Arabia (maybe 3-0) in St Denis this evening. Comfortable winners of their first game, France might find that Saudi Arabia pose a few more problems but the host nation are expected to come on as a unit from that first match and should register another easy win. Dugarry looks a solid bet to be the first goalscorer.

Despite failing to beat Norway, Scotland are 8-13 with Ladbrokes to qualify for the knock-out stages.

Brazil were cut from 11-4 to 5-2 to win the tournament outright after their facile 3-0 success over Morocco while Ronaldo, who did us a favour by scoring the opening goal in that match, is now a top-priced 5-1 favourite from 11-2 with the Tote to win the Golden Boot Award for top goalscorer in the tournament.