That scoreline is 11/2 at William Hill and it’s a good price. The Argentines have Tevez as well as Messi, and some other good players. I don’t think they’ll get that far – not with the moronic manager they’ve got – but they can see off this Nigerian side who won’t threaten the Argie goal that much. Get on!

Firstly let’s examine the evidence. South Korea are, without exception, fit, well organised and technically competent. It has served them increasingly well ever since their pointless appearance at Mexico ‘86.

Greece are uninspired and good at pressing and tackling. It has served them increasingly well, culminating with their win at Euro 2004. But when these two sides meet, it’s hard to see where a goal is coming from.

With a dull 0-0 on the cards, don’t be tempted into just betting on a 0-0 correct score. You can get odds of 6/1 on it at BlueSquare, but here’s where the cunningness comes in.

“No goalscorer” is also 6/1. Now, because own goals don’t count for first goalscorer purposes, that means that a side could win 1-0 but if the winning goal is an own goal then the bookies will pay out on all No Goalscorer bets – but they obviously won’t pay out on any 0-0 bets.

That makes a No Goalscorer bet marginally better value – and, at those odds and with these teams, a very tasty looking bet indeed. Get on at BlueSquare and sit back and (don’t, in this case) enjoy the football.

Forlan was on target in the 2010 UEFA Cup (sorry, Europa League) final and can give the 1998 World Champions a fright tonight.

You wouldn’t bet against him scoring (unless you were a bookie, obviously), but since winning the World Cups in 1930, when they were the best team in the world, and 1950, when they weren’t, the Uruguayans have generally been amongst the also-rans of World Cup tournaments.

The odd Enzo Francescoli comes along – and now they have Forlan – but realistically, the French are a much better outfit despite leaving some big names at home.

The scene looks perfect for one of my favourite punts – a scorecast where you back the team that scores first to lose.

They rarely come off, but when they do – as they have for me on a few occasions, including when Rooney scored first and Steve McLaren’s England lost 2-1 in Moscow – they pay out big time.

The odds aren’t quite as stellar as they were that afternoon in 2007 – you’ll always get good odds betting against England – but 85/1 on a Forlan to score first/France to win 2-1 scorecast at BlueSquare is enough to tempt me.

Failing that I’ll also have a piece of France to win 2-1 (9/1, also at BlueSquare), but until the first goal is scored I’ll be cheering Uruguay and, in particular, Diego Forlan.

South Africa are a poor side, but home advantage and a dodgy Mexican defence give them a fighting chance of getting something out of the game. The draw is 11/5 at Bet365, although the 11/2 about 1-1 at Blue Square looks a better shout.

World Cup openers are notorious for their shocks – Cameroon beating the Argies in 1990, France losing in 2002 and, perhaps most famously, the mighty Scotland losing to the minnows of Brazil in 1998 despite boasting a line-up containing such McGalacticos as Colin Calderwood and Darren Jackson.

It’s hard to gauge what a shock would be in today’s game, but generally speaking a draw is a good result for the bookies – which, again generally speaking, can mean a bit of value for punters. With a good albeit flawed side like Mexico away at a poor side like South Africa, I reckon 11/5 is a touch over what it should be.

Neither defence is exactly watertight, so I expect there to be goals, and 1-1 looks a suitably cautious first nibble into the World Cup betting cake. Take the 11/2 at Blue Square and get betting!

Let’s start with the so-called Group of Death: Group G, which features Brazil, North Korea, the Ivory Coast and Portugal. Where better to find our first couple of World Cup betting tips.

This would at first glance seem to prove a tough opening few games for Brazil.

But, to be frank, I think they’ll walk it. Their toughest game will probably be their opener against North Korea, when nerves will be jangling. But a late goal or two should settle their spirits and I think they’ll go on to win the tournament.

Avoid the 19/4 on offer at Bwin (they’ll charge you for depositing money and don’t do each-ways – they’ll have to work a bit harder to get my hard-earned) and grab the 9/2 you can get from William Hill.

I think the other side to get through that group will be the Ivory Coast. Portugal are, frankly, rubbish now that their ‘golden generation’ has come and gone without winning a thing. Granted, Cristiano Ronaldo is an awesome talent but he’s never done it in his country’s colours and I can’t see him starting now.

Perhaps (make that “almost certainly” – Ed) I’m wrong but the 50/1 about the Ivorians at Bet365 looks far better each-way than the 25/1 on Portugal – even if only so you can lay them at much shorter odds once they get through the group and take a small profit any way up.

Who else looks a good-value betting tip?
The Dutch have hit good form at the right time and, as I’ve been pointing out to everyone who’ll listen, will find many supporters among the South Africans, especially in the north of the country. I’ve got them each-way at 11/1 which is now gone, but 10/1 is still on offer at Ladbrokes and Hills. They should give you a good run for your money – and play some nice football while they do it.

As a rank outsider – and again, looking to lay off once the price has shortened – Serbia also look decent value at 66/1 (again at William Hill). If they get through their group they could have a decent run-in to the final and could be a couple of 50/50 penalty shoot-outs away from a pay-out. They’re my dark horses.

But if you want one single World Cup betting tip, it has to be Brazil. Get to William Hill now and bet on the World Cup!