Harry Kewell bet a nice stunt

The World Cup is a competitive market, so bookmakers look for every edge they can to get their name in lights. To frame a market on whether Harry Kewell will play in four years time is nothing short of a stunt - granted, a good one, but a stunt nevertheless. Who in their right mind will put hard-earned on a $1.05 future bet.

I have a friend who often says: "Better than bank interest" when he wins a bet on a short-priced favourite. He wouldn't be saying it on this occasion!

KEWELL LONG ODDS TO PLAY IN NEXT WORLD CUP

Leading online bookmaker sportsbet.com.au rates Harry Kewell only an outside chance to play in the 2014 World Cup.

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.com.au’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!

All markets courtesy of sportsbet.com.au
Will Harry Kewell play in the 2014 World Cup?
$8.00 Harry Kewell to play in the 2014 World Cup
$1.05 Harry Kewell not to play in the 2014 World Cup

Australia vs Serbia
$4.00 Australia
$3.75 Draw
$1.83 Serbia
$11 Australia to make the Round of 16

2010 World Cup Winner
$5 Brazil
$5.50 Argentina
$5.50 Spain
$9 Holland
$11 Germany
$11 England
$21 Italy
$23 Portugal
$751 Australia

$1001 New Zealand