While Pim Verbeek's boys are not favourites to lift the famous trophy in July, that won't stop optimists putting a few dollars on a fairytale ending.

TAB Sportsbet have the Socceroos at $67 to enjoy a dream tournament that ends with Lucas Neill lifting football's greatest prize.

A runner-up spot is $41, a semi-final exit is on offer at $26 with a quarter-final defeat priced at $10.

Centrebet have the Socceroos at $81 to see off the competition and win the World Cup.

The pessimists might prefer to focus on the chances of Australia escaping from a group that also contains Germany, Ghana and Serbia.

TAB Sportsbet has Germany favourites to qualify at $1.14, Serbia is $2.10, Ghana $2.25 and finally the Socceroos at $2.85.

But Australia are favourites NOT to qualify from their group with $1.38 on offer. Ghana are $1.60, Serbia $1.68 and Germany $5.15.

Getting off to a good start at a World Cup is often seen as vital but Centrebet are less than optimistic about the opening group game against Germany.

The Germans are priced at $1.55 for the win with the Socceroos at $6.50.

Goals are key of course for any World Cup side - an area where the Socceroos have sometimes struggled.

Tim Cahill has been the saviour on numerous occasions and much will be expected of the Everton man in South Africa.

TAB has Cahill and Josh Kennedy as favourites to finish as Australia's leading scorer at the World Cup, both on offer at $4. Harry Kewell and Scott McDonald are both at $4.50. Centrebet sees Cahill as the main man at $4 with Kennedy $5.50.

Skipper Lucas Neill is on offer at $26 with Scott Chipperfield on offer at $41 and versatile Luke Wiltshire an outside shot at $61.