England - Switzerland

England’s problem is this game comes after a long and hard season for the players. Capello will have to find a way to motivate them. Also, there won’t be Rooney (Defoe, Carroll and Gerrard). On the other hand, England is topping the table just by goal difference. Win today should be out of question.

Swiss are 6 points behind, they desperately need a win to join a battle for top two places but I’m sure they’ll be absolutely satisfied with a point today. However, they have scoring problems on their trips and alongside with hard defending that Ottmar Hitzfeld is forcing, their last 6 games produced zero or one goal. Attacking duo, Frei (ex skipper) - Streller, was under the media fire after last game (0-0 Bulgaria) and both retired! I think Swiss target will be 0-0 scoreline.

My first idea was England -1, I’m pretty sure they’ll win. But with 2 goals margin? This should be a better call. Hosts will dominate in possession and most of the time ball will be on Swiss half, around penalty area. I’m going on corners market and 1st half since the English pressure on goal should be bigger.

Bet: number of corners 1st half, England -2 (ah)
Odd: 2.04 188bet
Stake: 7/10
pi
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WC 2010 - 22.06.

Post will be updated through the day.

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Many interesting bets for the outcome of World Cup. I chose two, for now.

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Name of the finalists:

Brazil - Germany @ 17.00 (bet365)

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Group betting:

1st USA, 2nd England @ 4.33

1st Spain, 2nd Switzerland @ 4.00

1st Argentina, 2nd S.Korea @ 1.61

A treble @ 28.00 (bet365)

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UPDATE I:

Greece - Argentina, NO BET

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I think we all can agree that "Argentina B" (which means Millito and Aguero alongside Messi,probably Di Maria and Maxi on the flanks) is still much stronger than Greek full and highly motivated squad.
The thing that fears me most is the idea Argies will play more for fun than for the result.Attractive and nice to watch,but not so responsible in defense tasks (especially mentioned five).
Other thing is Otto Rehhagel.German who won EURO with his hard-to-watch defensive football.Counter attacks and set pieces are the only way to score.So,in combination with my first reason I could imagine very complicate scenario here.
I don't say Argentina won't smash them,but simply don't like those odds.Will skip this one.

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UPDATE II:

Mexico - Uruguay, Uruguay to win @ 5.00 (Bet3000)  0-1 WIN

The point of a draw is both sides will pass the group.Ok,what Mexico thinks about it?Maybe they can win,they defeated France and are full of confidence.But,they should accept a draw and face Argentina instead Korea probably?!Nah,doesn't sound like Mexico.Even if they lose,probability to be eliminated is very low as France won't trash anybody today.
Other thing,if one side score (it's hardly to imagine a game without any chance,at least because the fear of UEFA president),they should just allow other to score?He-he Mexico and Uruguay?Hell,no.
We already have seen 2-2 draw once,but this sides?No,I don't think so.
Winner will have a red carpet to a quarter-final(and I hope Serbia he-he),loser gets top favorite.
I'm gonna take Uruguay.

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UPDATE III:

South Africa - France, South Africa +0.25ah @ 2.08 (188bet)  2-1 WIN

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This is a kind of speculative bet.
Home side will try to not the end competition without a win (in theory,they have even a chance to be 2nd).That,also should be a slap to FIFA board that gave them to host WC.Blatter has been talking rubbish for years and now his favorites will be last in the group.Funny,at least.
Happenings in the French camp are surely a shame for their nation.I don't feel bad about it,they didn't even deserve to be there.Starting 11 will be interesting.Evra allegedly has refused(!!!) to play.His example probably will follow some other players.
And last thing,referee is Oscar Ruiz (Colombia).

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UPDATE IV:

Nigeria - S.Korea, S.Korea -0.25ah @ 2.10 (188bet)  2-2 1/2 LOST

No big philosophy here. Korea is better squad, looks tactically better and organized. Nigeria didn’t show anything special, so far. Except, lack of discipline. Tonight, need a win (for Korea, a point should be fine). Attacking attitude will make them vulnerable to Korea's fast counters, through the wings. Park will score.

d

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WC 2010 - 21.06.

Portugal - Korea DPR, Portugal -1ah @ 1.72 (Pinnacle)  7-0 WIN

 

Bookies overreacted here after Koreans put a fanatical fight against Brazilians. But true is, beside that they don’t have too much to offer. Portugal needs a win to reach the 2^nd spot and they need to score few because goal difference will probably be decisive.

 

Chile - Switzerland, corner handicap Chile -1ah @ 1.85 (bet365) 5-3 WIN

 

Chile defeated Honduras in previous game with a minimal margin, but they missed several very good chances. They carry attacking style of play and today will be stronger for their best player (and best scorer) Suazo.

Swiss shocked Spain with very good defensive display. Hitzfeld is great coach, they’re well organized, tactically perfect and shouldn’t be underestimated by anyone. Will miss best player Frei and I think they’ll be playing on the same way as vs. Spain.

I fancy South Americans and think Chile will dominate here. I’ll take corner handicap.

 

Spain - Honduras, Spain -2ah @ 2.02 (bet365)  2-0 DRAW

 

Interesting thing is, despite the shock, Spain wasn’t so bad. They still remain as one of the favorites, but now they could easily miss the first spot. Which brings Brazil in the next round. They’ll try to score as much as possible for the self confidence, but also for a goal difference that could be very important.

Don’t have too much to say about Honduras. Considering quality, they’re probably number 4 in the group. Will try to put a decent fight, but they’re facing a raging Spain.

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WC 2010 - 16.06.

Post will be updated through the day.

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Chile -0.5 (1.725)  1-0 won

Spain win to nil (1.83) 0-1 lost

double @ 3.16 (bet365) LOST

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Honduras - Chile

 

Honduras came to this tournament after sensational USA’s equalizer against Costa Rica in last qualification round. Few decent players, Wilson Palacios and David Suazo are their keys. Civil war in the country will push the players to reach the ultimate limits.

Chile was second South American team, right behind Brazil. Decent coach, Marcelo Bielsa, carries attacking style of play. Best player and top goal scorer, Humberto Suazo, is under the question mark for today’s game. Since the odds on Chile have been rising, seems he’ll be on the bench. Which is actually good because he’s not fit anyway.

I haven’t had too many opportunities to watch these two teams, so I’m taking this as a part of double. Think Chile will be too much for Honduras.

 

Spain - Switzerland

 

One of the top favorites starts the competition. Nothing much to say about Spain. Most important news is they’ll start with Villa alone in front and Torres on the bench (if my source is correct, anyway). Spain doesn’t concede too much and 4-5-1 will make their defense even tougher than usual.

Ottmar Hitzfeld is Switzerland’s coach and that will be their biggest strength. They’ll be playing tough defense and will try to keep starting result. If they concede, I doubt they’d open too much. Their tournament starts in the second round.

I expect a tough battle and Spain’s win without conceding. 1-0 or 2-0.

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UPDATE:

Well, that's what I call a surprise. Shock! In last 3 World Cups only three selections made a progress after a defeat at the start and every of those 3 recovered after a loss against the strongest group team. We'll see what Spain will do after Chile's win earlier.

Was planning to back Uruguay tonight, but after this... My major concern is SA is a host country. Which means,sometimes some "little" gifts, penalty, red card, flag stays down... And if they lose today, they'd finish the tournament. No bet so far, but will post if I change my mind.

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Wednesday's World Cup round-up

Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has prepared his players for the deafening sound of vuvuzelas - by inviting fans to attend the team's training.
Ahead of his side's opening World Cup game against Spain, Hitzfield organised a public training session knowing that spectators would bring their plastic horns.
"It is good for the players to be prepared for what they will hear on the pitch," he explained.

Matthew Upson is certain that team-mate Wayne Rooney will soon end his England goal drought.
Rooney has found the net in only one of his last eight internationals and has not scored for England since September. 
But West Ham defender Upson said: "It will happen. Wayne's movement is great. He is a class player and he is totally gifted. 
"He just needs to relax, play his game and the goals will come because he is top drawer." 

New Zealand hero Winston Reid believes his goal against Slovakia justified his decision to play for the All Whites.
Reid, 21, opted to represent the country of his birth rather than Denmark, where he was brought up from the age of 10.
"For a long time I have been torn between the two countries. I was asking myself if I was a Kiwi or a Dane," said Reid, who won 10 caps for Denmark's Under-21s.
"This is the biggest stage in the world for football and that has to be the most important goal of my life."

Cristiano Ronaldo would have happily swapped his man of the match award for three points against Ivory Coast.
Ronaldo was impressive for Portugal in their Group G opener, but his team were unable to break the deadlock and had to settle for a 0-0 draw. 
The former Manchester United star said: "It's always good to win individual awards. But if I could change it for anything, I would change it for three points. 
"But I would say that nothing is lost. This has happened with England and with other teams."

www.bbc.co.uk

Tuesday's World Cup round-up

North Korea has secured legal rights to televise World Cup matches live, according to Asia's broadcasting union - who deny that the communist state had pirated a recording of the opening fixture.
According to South Korean broadcaster SBS, the North's Korean Central Broadcast Service (KBS) aired Friday's 1-1 draw between South Africa and Mexico without permission.
But the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union said North Korea - whose team is competing at the World Cup for the first time in 44 years - had used legal footage "right from the start" following a deal between the union and football's world governing body Fifa.

Meanwhile, North Korea coach Kim Jong-hun bristled at a question from South Korean media ahead of his team's opening match against Brazil. A reporter, speaking in Korean, referred to his nation as "North Korea" in a news conference on Monday - rather than by the country's official name, the Democratic Republic of Korea.
"There's no such country named 'North Korea,' replied Kim. "Next question." 
A question about North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il's involvement in team selection was then cut off, with a Fifa official reminding journalists not to ask political questions. 

France's playmaker Yoann Gourcuff - the struggling heir apparent to Zinedine Zidane - is being cast as socially isolated from the core of Les Bleus squad after an anonymous start to the World Cup in their drab 0-0 opener with Uruguay.
"Yo [Gourcuff], I never hear him," said captain Patrice Evra. "To speak to Gourcuff, you have to talk to [Jeremy] Toulalan. It's with him that I see him having a laugh."
There is even speculation that Gourcuff is being ignored by his team-mates on the pitch, with Nicolas Anelka and Franck Ribery allegedly guilty of deliberately not passing the ball to the Bordeaux midfielder.

Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo added his voice to the complaints about the wall of sound being made by the vuvuzela trumpets at the World Cup.
"It is difficult for anyone on the pitch to concentrate," he said. 
"A lot of players don't like them, but they are going to have to get used to them. Hardly anyone likes them, but the people who do like them are those who like to blow the instruments and make a racket." 

More than 100 World Cup security stewards have protested in Durban a day before Spain plays Switzerland as they call on Fifa to confirm what they should be paid by contractors for working at the tournament, according to reports.
Armed police looked on as the workers danced, chanted and sang at the peaceful demonstration on Tuesday. Protest leader Sibusiso Mthethwa said the stewards would "protect our visitors" even if their demand for higher wages are not met.

www.bbc.co.uk

Now we're talking

Zurich 2 - 1 Grasshoppers

1 - 0 A. Rochat  53. min.
1 - 1 G. Zarate  54. min.
2 - 1 A. Abdi (pen.)  70.min.

Brestois 1 - 2 Nimes

0 - 1 R. Malm  58. min.
1 - 1 B.D. Carvalho  59. min.
1 - 2 R. Malm  62. min.

Boulogne 4 - 0 Amiens

1 - 0 D. Perrinelle  4. min.
2 - 0 A. Cuvillier  17.min.
3 - 0 G. Thil  62. min.
4 - 0 J. Brignoni  82.min.

Picks for Friday

Yesterday games started surprisingly bad, as Inter Turku managed to loose at home against outsider VPS Vaasa 0-1, then HJK Helsinki finished the job on a right way and Ull/Kisa shocked Sandefjord and realized my double chance gamble. Entire impression spoiled Fjolnir, loosing against nine-men Vestmannaeyar. Profit at the end, but 2 from 4 also. It has to be better. Something for today...

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Switzerland 1

Zurich - Grasshoppers

Last round. Time for celebration, home side already won the league. The best way is a win in front of the fans. No other motives (as for visitors), but it should be enough. Beside that, Zurich is dominate at home and win is probable (over, too). Best odd is at Pinnacle 1.87. Fact that calls on caution is that odd still grows. Usually, it means that Pinnacle knows something that I don't. But, can't see any such important fact. Small bet, anyway. Home win.

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France 2

Brestois - Nimes Olimpique

This game is interesting 'cause the fact is Brestois doesn't have 42 points, as some bookies and sites announced. They got three points for Reims game and can not relegate! Beside that, four keys are out. Nimes is 18th, the first under the line with the same points as 17th Chateauroux. Desperately needs a win. Bad away record, but they don't have a defeat in last five rounds. Think it worths a try. The best odd is again at Pinnacle (don't like this), 2.52. Away win.

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Boulogne - Amiens

Clear position for Boulogne, home win will provide promotion. I read some rumors (and read denying, too) that club's president said he can't and don't want to go in Ligue 1 next year due to financial problem! And Amiens isn't safe from relegation. In French League 1 appear usually same clubs, just changing promotion/relegation direction. I can't imagine club such as Boulogne in League 1 and 1.35 is somehow too low. Perhaps I'm wrong and home win is obvious, but I'll, once again, try to find a surprise of a day. Best odd for away win, again Pinnacle 9.47! Double chance, X2 gamble for me.

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