Brazil are new World Cup favourites after Spain's defeat

Brazil have been installed as favourites to win the World Cup by British bookmakers Ladbrokes after European champions Spain lost their opening Group H match to Switzerland in Durban yesterday.

Brazil, who beat North Korea 2-1 in their opening Group G match on Tuesday, have been installed as 4-1 favourites, while Spain, surprisingly beaten 1-0 by the Swiss, have drifted from 7-2 favourites to 5-1 second favourites alongside Argentina.

Spain and Argentina are ahead of England, The Netherlands, and Germany, who are all priced at 7-1.

"It was a return to the Spain of old," said Ladbrokes spokesman Nick Weinberg. "Their underachievers tag may not be confined to the history books just yet."

LATEST BETTING: Brazil 4-1; Spain 5-1; Argentina 5-1; England     7-1; The Netherlands 7-1; Germany 7-1; Italy 16-1; France 25-1; Portugal 33-1