All change in the 2018 World Cup betting
The BBC's decision to televise a Panorama investigation into corruption at FIFA three days before Thursday's meeting to determine the hosts of the 2018 World Cup saw Russia move odds-on to stage the tournament and England drift rather drastically.
However, less than 24 hours before the announcement is made, the gap between the two frontrunners to be chosen by world football's governing body has closed significantly, with Russia out to [2.3] and England in to [2.5], making it a distinct possibility that the latter will re-emerge as favourites.
It's unclear what the exact reasoning behind the latest turnaround is, though there are a number of factors that could be seen as having slightly boosted England's chances, such as David Beckham's defence of FIFA in which he declared his faith in their integrity and the revelation that Russia president Vladimir Putin won't be in Zurich for the much-anticipated verdict.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter is scheduled to reveal who the 22 members of their executive committee have leaned towards at 3pm on Thursday, with Spain and Portugal ([6.4]) and Euro 2000 co-hosts Holland and Belgium ([40.0]) also in contention.
Who's your money on? Tell us who you think will be selected below...
Published: 1 Dec 2010
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