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 gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester City are tracking Sporting Lisbon defender Daniel Carrico as cover for first-choice pair Kolo Toure and Joleon Lescott but he is also interesting Atletico Madrid and Valencia.(Daily Mirror) 
City scouts are also impressed with Sampdoria midfielder Andrea Poli but striker Emmanuel Adebayor wants to stay at Eastlands, despite interest from AC Milan. (Daily Mail) 
Manager Mick McCarthy has conceded that Wolves have little chance of keeping £6.5m striker Kevin Doyle if they are relegated from the Premier League. Aston Villa, Fulham, Everton and Sunderland are all set to battle to sign the Republic of Ireland international if his side slip into the Championship. (Daily Mirror) 
Wilson Palacios has stunned Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp by admitting he is using Spurs to get a move to Real Madrid. The Honduran midfielder has been a key player for Redknapp's side following his £12million move from Wigan last January. But Palacios, 25, reckons he has bigger fish to fry. (The Sun) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Four years after arriving at Chelsea on a £121,000-per-week contract, German midfielder Michael Ballack has been offered a new one-year deal at half that salary. (The Sun) 
Chelsea have reopened negotiations with striker Nicolas Anelka over a contract extension that may result in the France international staying at Stamford Bridge until 2013. Anelka's deal was set to expire in 2012 but there is still no sign of a new contract for Joe Cole, whose current contract expires in the summer.(Daily Mail) 
England will step up their security as they attempt to hunt down and identify the culprits behind the security breach at their team hotel in Hertfordshire. A six-hour recording of team meetings is said to be in existence and has been offered to media outlets. (Daily Mail) 
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is set to escape disciplinary action after he appeared to aim a V-sign at referee Andre Marriner during Monday's defeat by Wigan. (Daily Telegraph) 
Stoke full-back Andy Griffin, currently on loan at Reading, has laughed off suggestions he could snatch a World Cup berth with England after some impressive performances that have guided the Royals away from the Championship relegation zone. (Daily Mirror) 
Wigan's Victor Moses could be set for a World Cup appearance with Nigeria after he invited officials to watch him play and train for the club. Moses, born in Lagos, has represented England at youth level but could be tempted to switch allegiances. (Daily Mirror) 

AND FINALLY

Fabio Capello's biggest World Cup selection headache is over the goalkeeping position - according to tennis legend Boris Becker. After a recent dinner with the England coach, Becker said: "I understand why the players are a little bit afraid of him because he's a very serious guy who doesn't joke around much. We talked about goalkeepers and Capello was just smiling so we didn't get into that." (Press Association)

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Tottenham - Everton

Spurs are currently fifth on the table with three points less than Man.City. They’re struggling on the road, but showing much better performances at White Hart Lane. At home, most problems they have had against defensively oriented teams like Hull (0-0), Wolves (0-1) and Stoke (0-1). At Friday, came news from Spurs’ camp they’re hit by a virus and 18 players and stuff are infected. But, it seems it was only Redknapp’s psychological warming-up for Everton. True is Palacios and Corluka are having some problems with a stomach bug and their appearance is doubtful. Real problem for “Arry” is the condition of Defoe and Crouch. Both will face a late fitness test and I expected one of them (Defoe more likely) to start the game alongside excellent Pavlyuchenko.

David Moyes crew was knocked from the Europe in Lisbon on a kind of humiliating way. Problem for him for today’s game is all players looked jaded after that game. Good thing for them is Everton turned the corner in Premier and overcame results crisis caused by large number of injuries. The Toffees have noticed just a single defeat (Liverpool away, 0-1) in last twelve games and in last two games at Goodison defeated giants (Chelsea 2-1 and Man.Utd. 3-1). They also won at last three league visits to White Hart Lane. So, despite European exit they definitely don’t lack with self confidence for today’s game. Beside fatigue, main problem for Moyes is missing of some very important players. Skipper Cahill, Fellaini and defenders Hibbert and Senderos. Good thing is Distin and Heitinga are available again and Jagielka already made his return. Everton have managed to keep only one clean sheet in their last nine league matches away from home and they have scored in 11 of their last 12 league games.

This is very important game for both sides. Spurs have huge attacking potential, but in last few games were showing some vulnerabilities in back line and just thankfully to Gomes and luck weren’t punished. Everton like to play against Spurs and I think Moyes won’t practice defensively 4-5-1. Despite the fact none of the last eight league games between these sides have been won by the home team I give an advantage to Spurs, but see goals at decent odds as a better option. Over.

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Another great night

Tottenham 4 - 0 Bolton

Roman Pavlyuchenko continued his resurgence to fire Tottenham into the FA Cup quarter-finals as Bolton proved the architects of their own undoing.
Pavlyuchenko tucked in the opener for Spurs from Luka Modric's flicked pass. 
Jussi Jaaskelainen was at fault for the first of two Bolton own goals, the ball deflecting in off his leg as he failed to deal with a Wilson Palacios centre. 
Gareth Bale's cross later went in off Andrew O'Brien before Pavlyuchenko drilled in a Danny Rose centre late on. 
For the oft-overlooked Pavlyuchenko, who made a strong case for his inclusion by scoring twice following his late introduction in Tottenham's weekend victory at Wigan, the evening added further lustre to an impressive record in the domestic cups. 
Pavlyuchenko has played second fiddle to Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch this season, but on a night when Tottenham rarely needed to be at their flowing best, the Russian's second brace in three days brought his cup tally to 13 goals in 13 matches. 
With his side locked in a Premier League relegation battle, there is little that the Bolton manager Owen Coyle would not give for that level of return just now.
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp:
"It's great to see Pavlyuchenko score four gopals in two games, he's in great form and let's hope he can keep that up to the end of the season. 
"It's difficult for Bolton, because Owen has obviously got the league on his mind, but things are going well for us. 
"It will be a difficult game at Craven Cottage, but we can only focus on the next game, and that's Everton in the league.
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WBA. 2 - 3 Reading

1-0 R. Koren  6.min.
1-1 J. Kebe  9.min.
2-1 R. Koren  47.min.
2-2 B. Howard  90.min.
2-3 G. Sigurdsson  95.min.
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Wolverhampton 1-0 Tottenham

Struggling Wolves completed a league double over Tottenham with a much-needed and deserved home win which lifts them out of the relegation zone.
Wolves' early endeavour was rewarded when Matt Jarvis's cross was side-footed home first time by David Jones. 
Earlier, Niko Kranjcar had seen a glorious chance from 12 yards superbly saved by home keeper Marcus Hahnemann. 
Wolves' lead was rarely troubled in the second half, with Wilson Palacios's late shot Spurs' only effort on target. 
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy testified to a shattered dressing room after Birmingham staged a late comeback to win last Sunday's West Midlands derby 2-1.
However, the spirit and determination McCarthy lauded in his struggling team during the defeat at St Andrews was again evident in abundance, justifying the manager's decision to make only one change to the side with debutant Adlene Guedioura replacing Michael Mancienne. 
The French midfielder, on loan from Belgian club Charleroi, made a great start to his Wolves career, demonstrating grit and guile in equal measure: epitomising his side's performance. 
In contrast, Tottenham were lacklustre and a shadow of the side that has spent much of this season aspiring to a top-four finish. 
As a result of their draw with Aston Villa on Saturday, Spurs dropped out of the Champions League qualification places for the first time since Boxing Day, and after Manchester City's win over Bolton on Tuesday and the failure to earn points here they now find themselves sixth. 
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp made five changes to his side, including bringing in on-loan Eidur Gudjohnsen for his debut.
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy:
"After the weekend we needed a performance and a victory and we got it. 
"Teamwork was the key. We've got a terrific team of lads and they've worked hard and deserved that victory. 
"It's been proved this season that teams like us can get points off the big teams. We've got Chelsea and Manchester United coming up, who's to say we won't take points off them?" 
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp:
"I'm very disappointed. It was probably our worst performance of the season. 
"We had loads of the ball and were camped in their half second half but never really threatened enough to score. 
"They worked hard and closed us down and made it difficult for us and we never overcame that tonight."
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Everton 2-2 Tottenham

Everton fought back from two goals down to earn a point with Tottenham, who missed an injury-time penalty.
Jermain Defoe slotted in the opener at the near post, and Michael Dawson made it 2-0 with a diving header. 
Louis Saha volleyed in from eight yards to start Everton's comeback and Tim Cahill equalised when he stooped to head in Leighton Baines's cross. 
Defoe had a chance to win it after Wilson Palacios was fouled but Tim Howard saved the striker's spot-kick. 
It was a dramatic finale to a fine second half that swung one way and then another, but Spurs will be kicking themselves for throwing away a two-goal lead. 
The Londoners had looked to be cruising to victory - and third place in the table - after producing the more creative football for much of the afternoon. 
But Everton's never-say-die attitude paid off, and Howard's heroics meant the Toffees avoided a fourth consecutive league defeat.
Everton manager David Moyes:
"I thought we deserved a bit of luck and the goalkeeper helped it. 
"The players had worked incredibly hard and had got stuck in. We tried to get something and because of that we earned some good fortune when it came around. 
"I thought when it went to two each if anyone was going to make it 3-2 it was going to be us rather than Tottenham." 
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp:
"We had control, we were 2-0 up and we couldn't see any danger. But suddenly they got a goal back, and Everton came on strong. 
"We had a great opportunity to win the game with the last-minute penalty but it wasn't to be. 
"It's frustrating, we threw away two points today."
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Friday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

European champions Barcelona will test Manchester City's resolve to keep Brazilian forward Robinho by offering to take the player on a six-month loan should the Blues reject a £32.5m bid. (Daily Mirror) 
Alternatively, Barca will offer City French striker Thierry Henry in exchange for Robinho. (Daily Star) 
Hull City boss Phil Brown is tracking Aarhus' Danish international midfielder Jakob Poulsen ahead of a transfer window move.(Daily Mirror) 
Inter Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari has insisted he will not be leaving Italy to join Tottenham this summer. (The Sun) 
Atletico Madrid have reiterated their desire to sign Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Eboue, a move which could embroil them in a "tapping-up" row. (Daily Mirror) 
The Gunners also face a fight to keep hold of young Spanish midfielder Fran Merida who is wanted by Sevilla.(Daily Mirror) 
Chelsea will attempt to sign Middlesbrough winger Adam Johnson next summer if their appeal against their transfer ban, imposed for tapping up, is successful.(The Times) 
Leeds are set to sign Wolves striker Sam Vokes on loan until January.(Daily Mail) 
Stoke want defender Ryan Shawcross to sign a new four-year deal to ward off interest from Tottenham, Liverpool and Everton, who are all considering January bids for the player.(The Sun) 
Portsmouth are hoping to sign on-loan Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara on a permanent basis. The 22-year-old's temporary deal at Fratton Park expires in January. (The Sun) 
Sheffield United are weighing up a £2m bid for Blackburn's third-choice keeper Mark Bunn.(The Sun) 
Sheffield United defender Matthew Kilgallon is being tracked by Bolton, Wigan and Burnley after contract talks between him and the Blades broke down.(Daily Mail) 

OTHER GOSSIP

LA Galaxy midfielder David Beckham has played his way into Fabio Capello's squad for next year's World Cup, as has Peter Crouch.(The Sun )
New Birmingham owner Carson Yeung has promised to go on an £80m spending spree next year with half available to manager Alex McLeish in January and half the following summer.(The Sun) 
Newcastle caretaker boss Chris Hughton has admitted he wants to take the reins at St James' Park on a permanent basis.(Daily Mirror) 
The representative of referee's union Prospect says that Sir Alex Ferguson's apology to referee Alan Wiley for labelling him "unfit" shows that managers can no longer get away with abusing officials.(Daily Mirror) 
Bolton have complained to referee's chief Keith Hackett that striker Kevin Davies is being victimised by officials because of his previous poor disciplinary record.(Daily Mirror) 
Argentine midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron has warned his national coach Diego Maradona has got eight months to save the country from World Cup humiliation. Argentina scraped through to the 2010 finals in South Africa via a nervy 1-0 win over Uruguay last weekend.(Daily Mirror) 

AND FINALLY

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has joked that his controversial decision to pick David Beckham as man-of-the-match for Wednesday's England match against Belarus was because two-goal striker Peter Crouch rejected a summer move to the Stadium of Light.(Daily Mirror) 
Tottenham midfielder Wilson Palacios is set to miss Spurs' game at Portsmouth on Saturday after Interim Honduras President Roberto Micheletti told the national team's players, including Palacios, to stay in the country and party following their qualification for the 2010 World Cup.(Daily Mirror)
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Stoke City – Wigan Athletic

This will be the game between two clubs from middle of the table, with the same number of points. Potters were moved into Championship, even before the season start. Team without a leader and the big names was declared as luck in quality. But, with fighting attitude and frenetic crowd at their Brittania Stadium, they made solid record and Saturday's 2-1 win at Hull guaranteed that they would retain their place in the Premier League next year. Stoke has a strong and very well organized defense line and they’re very dangerous from set-plays (who said Delap?). They have just one defeat from last eight home games(West Ham United, 0-1). And very interesting data is, Stoke didn’t lost at home from a bottom-half club. Their four home losses have been against Manchester United, Chelsea, Everton and West Ham. Now, they’ll play without a pressure, just for fans. Tony Pulis has all team available, except on-loan striker Henri Camara, who is ineligible to face his parent club. Full-back Andy Wilkinson is likely to be involved, after having sugar injections (hm…what?) as a remedy for a slight back strain. Excellent performances at home ground set Potters as the favorites, today. 

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Wigan is finishing a very good season. Steve Bruce did an excellent job at the club who was at one moment (at the end of previous year), even contender for European competition, next year. Then club’s management sold Heskey and Palacios, clearly announced avoiding relegation as a main season objective. Bruce had a lots of problems with motivating his players in the previous weeks. But in the last game, against Manchester United at home, lads responded well. Wigan took a lead, but first Tevez and five minutes before the end Michael Carrick scored and left Wigan empty handed. Now, additional problem for Bruce is how to rest players for just three days. It is clear, visitors are in a bad shape with five defeats from last six competitive games and a draw (Bolton, at home 0-0), three away defeats in a row. Goalkeeper Chris Kirkland missed the United match because of a back injury and Richard Kingson is set to deputise for him again. Prince of Egypt, Amr Zaki is in doubt, while the rest of crew is available.

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This game won’t decide too much. Both clubs will stay where they are. For home side this game is enjoy, for visitors one less before summer holiday. Hosts are in excellent mood, visitors feel tired and indifferent. I expect another home win, with a storming from the crowd. Pinnacle offers 2.31, 888sport 2.25. Home win.

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Monday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP 

Tottenham have joined Manchester City, Chelsea and Real Madrid in the race to sign Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez. (The Sun) 
Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has refused to rule out signing the Argentine if the 25-year-old is allowed to leave Old Trafford. (The Times) 
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is eyeing Zenit St Petersburg striker Pavel Pogrebnyak as a potential replacement for Emmanuel Adebayor. (Daily Mirror) 
Birmingham manager Alex McLeish has been priced out of a move for Rangers centre-back Madjid Bougherra but could still make a summer move for Ibrox striker Kris Boyd. (Daily Record) 
McLeish will battle Wigan and Bolton for the signing of Portsmouth midfielder Sean Davis. (Daily Mirror) 
Marseilles striker Djibril Cisse, who has spent the season on loan at Sunderland, has told team-mates he is joining Tottenham in the summer. (Daily Mail) 
Celtic have rubbished reports that they want to sign striker Michael Owen on a pay-as-you-play deal from Newcastle. (Daily Record) 
Rangers will not consider selling Steven Davis, Kris Boyd, Pedro Mendes or Madjid Bougherra if they clinch the title. However, Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor will be moved on for the right price. ( Daily Mail) 
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson is ready to sign striker Oli Johnson from cash-strapped Stockport County. (Daily Mirror) 
Blackburn scouts were in Egypt on Sunday night to check on ENNPI right-back Ahmed Al-Muhammadi. (Daily Mail) 
Dundee United are interested in Spanish goalkeeper Alberto Marrama and Slovakian counterpart Dusan Pertis. (Scottish Sun) 
Cardiff midfielder Joe Ledley will spark a bidding war after rejecting the offer of a new contract from the club. (The Sun) 
Giles Barnes is being offered to all clubs as Derby look to cash in on the midfielder. (Daily Mirror) 
Swindon manager Danny Wilson has placed West Brom and Leicester on red alert by conceding top scorer Simon Cox is likely to leave the County Ground this summer. (Daily Mirror) 
Ipswich defender Alex Bruce, who was a target for Hull, Wolves and Leeds, has agreed a new two-year contract at Portman Road. (Various) 
Millwall will sign Stevenage Borough striker Steve Morrison in an £85,000 deal this week. (The Sun) 

OTHER GOSSIP 

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has hit out at Chelsea striker Didier Drogba after his side's 4-1 defeat by the Blues on Sunday, claiming: "We live in a league now where the divers are rewarded." (The Times) 
Newcastle defender Fabio Coloccini, who claims he was "sold" a different club from the one he is playing for, is set to be dropped for the Magpies' relegation showdown against Middlesbrough on Monday. He said: "I was sold a club that would be challenging in the top half of the table with maybe a good chance of doing well in the cups." (Daily Star) 
Tottenham midfielder Wilson Palacios will not play again this season after returning to Honduras after the murder of his 16-year-old brother Edwin (The Sun) 
Brazilian midfielder Elano has threatened to quit Manchester City if the club do not open talks over a new contract. (Daily Mail) 
Chesterfield are interested in appointing Andy Richie as their new manager following the departure of Lee Richardson. (Daily Mail) 

AND FINALLY 

Angry Chelsea supporters want to get their own back on Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo, who made a number of controversial decisions in the Blues' Champions League semi-final, second leg against Barcelona. They have set up an internet campaign to stop Norway winning the Eurovision song contest. (Daily Star) 
Armed officers in gas masks foiled a samurai sword gang's raid on a jeweller's used by the wives of England footballers in upmarket Wilmslow, Cheshire. The store's celebrity customers include Victoria Beckham and Coleen Rooney. (The Sun) 
Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar has become the 16th Premier League victim of burglars who strike while footballers are playing. Thousands of pounds in cash and valuables were taken from his Liverpool home just before the Toffees' match against Tottenham kicked off on Saturday. (The Sun)
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