Record £20m betting expected

The quarter-final between England and Brazil in Shizuoka on Friday is set to be the most heavily backed football match in history. Bookmakers say up to £20 million could be riding on the outcome of the match, which is likely to attract more bets than...

The quarter-final between England and Brazil in Shizuoka on Friday is set to be the most heavily backed football match in history.

Bookmakers say up to £20 million could be riding on the outcome of the match, which is likely to attract more bets than the World Cup final itself.

William Hill are planning to open 100 of their betting shops 30 minutes before kick-off to allow punters to place last-minute bets.

"The combination of patriotic fervour and the traditional glamour and charisma of Brazil will make this the match everyone wants to have a flutter (bet) on," said spokesman Graham Sharpe.

Brazil are the 2-1 tournament favourites. Spain are 7-2, England 4-1, Italy 9-2, Germany 6-1, Senegal 20-1, Japan 28-1, USA 33-1, Turkey at 50-1 and South Korea 66-1.

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