As the World Cup draws closer and betting starts to pick up, favorites like Brazil and Germany will see a lot of action. It’s easy to see why too. Brazil features the likes of Ronaldo and is the defending champion. Germany was the runner-up in 2002 and is playing on home turf.

Still, there are some lesser-known teams that could raise hell in Germany. Their chances of taking it all are less but remember, the bigger the odds, the bigger the payout.

France (+1340) – Group G

Les Bleus are a team in transition. After taking the 1998 World Cup and the first Euro tournament of the 21st Century, France looks to prove they are still good and not on a downward spiral. During the 2002 World Cup in Asia they failed to score a goal and failed to win a game. In Euro they fared better finishing at the top of their group with a 2-1 record but were bounced by the eventual champions, Greece in the quarterfinals.

Going into Germany, France will try to recapture the ’98 magic. The team will be a good blend of the old and new. Six players return from that fabled team that defeated Brazil on home turf. Suiting up once again, will be French legend Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry, David Trezeguet, Lilian Thuram, Patrick Vieira, and goalkeeper Fabien Barthaz.

Though the 2006 tournament will be the last for the likes of Zidane, it will be the first for players like Franck Ribery. Fittingly, the young midfielder is drawing comparisons to Zidane himself and hopefully will learn a thing or two from the vet.

France should have no problems in the early stages as their Group consists of Switzerland, Korea Republic and Togo.

Portugal (+2270) – Group D

Although Portugal lost out to Greece in Euro 2004, it is the Portuguese that are having the last laugh. The Greeks failed to qualify for Germany and will watch their Euro 2004 championship game opponents having all the fun in June and maybe July.

Last time around in Asia, the Portuguese compiled a 1-2 record, beating Poland 4-0 but losing to the States and Korea.

This time around the Portuguese side looks to re-enact Euro 2004. Leading the charge will be Luis Figo. The seasoned Inter Milan midfielder has a wealth of experience from tours of duty in Korea 2002 and Portugal 2004, and now would be the time to become a prime time player on the big stage.

The squad remains very similar to the Euro 2004 save for a few changes. One of the most notable involves defender Jorge Andrade, who failed to make the squad largely because of an injury to his knee. He will see his spot taken by Ricardo Costa.

Playing in Group D, Portugal will probably battle Mexico for the top two while Iran and Angola joust for the last two spots.

Netherlands (+1450) – Group C

After a solid fourth place finish in France ’98, the Dutch took a step back and failed to qualify in 2002. Going into Germany the Netherlands is hungry and ready to make amends.

Former star Marco van Basten heads into his first World Cup as coach and will have a formidable arsenal at his disposal. van Basten will mix veterans like Ruud van Nistelroy and Edwin van der Sar with a crop of up-and-comers like Dirk Kuyt.

With Argentina in the same group, it might be too much to expect top spot, but the Dutch are talented and the entire Group, Ivory Coast and Serbia and Montenegro, has been dubbed one of the two Groups of Death, so they could surprise.

Czech Republic (+3301) – Group E

The Czechs weren’t worthy enough to make the World Cup in Asia, but made short work of the competition in Euro 2004. They cruised through Group play going 3-0 and outscoring the opposition 7-4 in the early rounds. In the quarters they beat Denmark 3-0 before losing 1-0 to Greece in the semis. Going into Germany, they want to finish what they started in 2004.

The roster should be solid with the likes of goalkeeper Petr Cech, youngsters Tomas Rosicky and Milan Baros and vet Pavel Nedved, who came out of retirement. The wild card comes in the form of Jan Koller. The striker injured his knee last September and started playing again recently after being out over seven months.

The Czech Republic is in a tough group and will have to worry not only about the Italians, but the Americans as well.

The fact that striker Milan Baros has a foot injury and is doubtful for the opening game against the U.S. doesn't help matters any.

Spain (+1575) – Group H

Spain had a very good showing at the last World Cup. They cruised through group play going undefeated and beat Ireland in a shootout, but fell prey to the Koreans in the quarters. This time around, the Spaniards look to go even further.

Going into the tournament Spain will be missing Asier Del Horno who injured his left Achilles tendon and could miss three weeks. As a precautionary measure coach Luis Aragones called up Mariano Pernia as a replacement. Also rumours are floating around that all-time leading goal scorer Raul could lose his starting spot.

Despite this, Spain still should be the class of a group that consists of the Ukraine, Tunisia, and Saudi Arabia.

Next time: All the rest from World Cup 2006