Spread betting may add an extra dimension of highs and lows but the emotions of watching your team compete in the World Cup are like no other. Football fans from across the world however are all able to share the joys of seeing the world’s best exponents of the beautiful game gathered in one place. Europe is lucky enough to boast a disproportionate number of gifted footballers, many of whom will be shooting, strutting and sulking their way through the 2010 World Cup.

There at least three reasons why Spain are Sporting Index’s outright spread index favourites, at 43-46 - named Fernando Torres, David Villa, and Xavi Hernandez. Spread buyers will be counting on Xavi to conduct the entire side from midfield, but buyers of Spain’s total tournament goals spread at 11.3-12, the highest of any team, will be counting on Torres to be fit enough to resume his devastating pairing with the Valencia striker. Both men hit three in Germany and are likely to be Golden Boot contenders.

Staying in Iberia and Portugal possess the most expensive player of all time in Cristiano Ronaldo. Spread bettors are likely aware that if his side reaches the latter stages he will be largely responsible and buyers of Portugal’s tournament team match goal minutes at 315 would expect a fair contribution from the former Manchester United man. There seems to be no type of goal he cannot score, but spread buyers of the bookings index in Portugal’s matches will also be aware of his surly nature. It’s no coincidence that Sporting Index has given the side one of the highest quotes in their total bookings market, with a spread of 110-116pts (25 points per red, 10pts per yellow).

Ron’s former teammate is the man opposition defenses will perhaps most fear. Wayne Rooney netted nine goals in as many qualifying games, and was second top-scorer in European qualifying. There will be plenty of buyers of Rooney’s performance and goals spreads throughout the tournament, but spread sellers will remember his record in the 2006 tournament - he didn’t score before a red card ended his tournament at the quarter-final stage.

Spread sellers of total goals and goal minutes throughout the finals won’t be focusing on the flamboyant strikers and speedy wingers however. They’ll be dependent on the miserly defenses and they don’t come more so than that of current World Cup champions Italy. Key to their stinginess at the back is goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, still only 32 despite seemingly having been around forever. Buyers of Italy’s supremacy spreads in any of their matches will be more confident of Buffon keeping the goals out than Italy’s strikers knocking too many in. Sporting Index offer a group stage mini-performance spread where each team is rewarded for clean sheets and wins among other things. Italy’s is set at 94-100pts so spread buyers will hope to see Buffon at his best.

There are plenty of other European players who have the ability to make or break a spread bettor’s World Cup so special mentions must go to French flyer Franck Ribery, Germany’s midfield general Michael Ballack and dutch pair Robin Van Persie and Arjen Robben. Fellas, there’s a fair bit of spread betting wedge depending on your performances - no pressure!