BEIJING, May 25 -- Very few people are betting against Brazil at the World Cup.

    The Brazilians, however, will be the first to point out that things won't be as simple as they look.

    "It's true that we have great chances to win the World Cup," coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said. "But that doesn't mean it's a done deal. We still need to play the matches and win them. And we know that's not going to be easy."

    But no matter how good Brazil may be, history shows it could have a hard time in Germany.

    After winning its first two titles in 1958 and 1962, Brazil was heavily favored to clinch a third in 1966 in England. Even with Pele in his prime, the team played poorly and was eliminated early.

    Another disappointment took place at the 1974 World Cup in West Germany, after Brazil's dazzling campaign to win its third title in the 1970 tournament in Mexico. This time without Pele, Brazil was eliminated by the Netherlands and finished fourth.

    "Several times the favorites came back home early," Parreira said. "Just remember France and Argentina in 2002, they had chances to win the title, but were knocked out early."

    Famed Brazilian soccer star Pele also believes it will be harder for his country to win a sixth World Cup because it is the favorite.

    "That's the big problem," Pele said last week during a visit to Britain. "Today the big opponent of Brazil is being the favorite. Always in the World Cup, the favorite doesn't succeed."