World Cup Betting - South Africa 2010 Odds
Spain v Holland Predictions and Preview (Jul 9, 2010 11:09)
World Cup Final 2010
According to David Beckham, hindsight is a wonderful thing! If only we’d all taken notice of the form book coming into the World Cup then finalists the Netherlands and Spain would have stood out like the thumbs of a hitchhiker at the end of his gap year! Both teams waltzed through their qualifying groups without dropping a point. The Dutch are on a long unbeaten run which includes six victories in South Africa, while Spain’s only defeats in the last two years came in last summer’s Confederations Cup (against the USA) and in their opener against the Swiss in Durban, which caught everyone by surprise.
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Vicente del Bosque’s team hardly deserved that early setback but quickly recovered their composure to top Group H and haven’t looked back since. As a team, Spain have few equals in the art of ball retention. Andres Iniesta, Xavi and Xabi Alonso produced a masterclass in pass and move against Germany in the semi-finals and, though their winner ultimately came from a set-piece, the psychological damage they inflicted on Joachim Low’s side was a huge contributory factor in their victory. The European champions can still lack a cutting edge at times, and del Bosque is now faced with the dilemma of whether or not to recall the out-of-form Fernando Torres to support David Villa, but their ability to dictate the pace of a game means they rarely have to fight for their lives and they probably come into the final the fresher of the two teams, even though the Netherlands have had a day longer to prepare.
The Dutch have undoubtedly benefited this year from not being near the top of everyone’s list of potential World Cup winners. It was more or less taken for granted that the Oranje would reach the last eight but there they were seeded to face Brazil, and we are all aware that Holland have had a reputation for choking on the big occasion in the past. To be fair, no-one expected the pre-tournament favourites to implode in the manner they did but full marks to the Dutch for taking advantage of Brazilian indiscipline, though they again showed that they may have a soft underbelly by conceding twice against Uruguay in the semi-finals.
I’m still not convinced by several of the Netherland’s first-choice XI. Robin van Persie doesn’t look the ideal man for a lone striker’s role and ball-winners Nigel de Jong and Mark van Bommel are too reckless. Doubts have also resurfaced about goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg, but Arjen Robben’s pace will trouble the Spanish full-backs and Wesley Sneijder is having a tournament to remember. This will be Dutch captain’s Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s finale in more ways than one but I just have my doubts about whether he’ll be able end his career in a blaze of glory. The Netherlands have had two previous appearances in the final but Spain can end their long wait for a world title by winning their first final within 90 minutes (11/10). Paddy Power has made this a final Bore Draw! Money-Back Special in which losing correct score, scorecast and first/last goalscorer singles will be refunded if it ends 0-0 but I’m going for a 2-1 correct score in favour of the European champions is priced at 17/2.
* Spain to beat Holland in 90 minutes – 11/10
* Spain to win 2-1 - 17/2
World Cup Betting Previews
Netherlands v Spain Betting Tips and Predictions (Jul 9, 2010 10:46)
2010 FIFA World Cup Final (Sunday 11th July 7:30pm)
To date, I’m afraid I ain’t done as well as Paul the Octupus, nonetheless, let’s concentrate on some World Cup Final betting tips.
Holland 11/4 v Spain 11/10 – (Draw 11/5)
Since 1983, Holland and Spain have met on four occasions. It’s the Dutch who have the upper hand, winning three. Holland make their 3rd appearance in a World Cup Final whereas Spain encounter the greatest sporting occasion on our planet for the first time. Here’s some betting tips.
90 Mins Only: Holland 11/4
Holland are unbeaten in 25 games and given that their influential express train Arjen Robben will face 32-year-old Joan Capdevilla, I suspect the Spanish defence will find themselves under far more pressure than they did against Germany.
Towards the end of their semi-final clash with Urugauy, there was an element of uncertainty about Holland. With emotions firmly set on a World Cup Final, the Dutch panicked and their stomach’s must have churned as Uruguay pulled a goal back with minutes remaining. However, they did triumph in the end to deprive the South Americans of a place in the 2010 World Cup Final.
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Credit to Spain who narrowly outmuscled an underperforming German side. The Spaniards controlled the game handsomely and the opposition failed to knock Andres Iniesta out of his stride. He, and Xavi, won’t find it so easy against the Dutch. Mark van Bommel and Nigel de Jong have the experience, energy and crunching tackles to unsettle Spain’s playmakers and with Arjen Robben and Dirk Kuyt delivering crosses from their advanced midfield position, I am very confident that Holland will lift the FIFA World Cup trophy.
Anytime Goalscorer: Wesley Sneijder 7/2
The Inter Milan midfielder’s contribution has been indispensable, scoring five goals in what’s been a prolific World Cup campaign for the 26-year-old Dutchman. Sneijder has found the net 19 times for Holland and it would be no surprise to see his conviction and flair rewarded yet again.
To Score 2 or More Goals: Holland 11/4
In their last ten matches the Dutch have scored two or more goals on nine occasions.
*Sneaky Betting Tips*
1st Player to be Shown a Card: J Capdevilla 12/1
To be Booked: J Capdevilla 5/2
The Spanish left-back faces Arjen Robben, the epitome of Dutch football, who always seems to get his marker booked.
Germany v Uruguay Preview and Tips (Jul 9, 2010 10:31)
Germans Better Equipped for Successful Swansong
Having gone out of a tournament like the World Cup at the semi-final stage, it must be difficult for players to raise themselves for another game a matter of days later.
Uruguay have had 24 hours longer than Germany to get over the disappointment of not taking the final step into what would have been the biggest match of their careers but it may not save the South Americans from another evening of relative disappointment in the third place play-off. What will be playing on the minds of both sets of players is that they probably didn’t do themselves justice in the semi-finals. Uruguay conceded far too much possession to the Netherlands and, though star man Diego Forlan briefly cancelled out Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s opener, they left themselves a mountain to climb after conceding twice in a relatively short space of time midway through the second half. Had Oscar Tabarez’s men realised earlier that the Dutch are vulnerable under pressure, there could even have been a different outcome, though that would have been unjust on the Netherlands who were easily the better side over the 90 minutes.
Of course, the other factor to take into account in a dead rubber like this is that the coaches may opt to give a run-out to fringe members of the respective squads who haven’t so far had a taste of the World Cup atmosphere. They’ll certainly be mindful of their obligation with regard to normally key players who may be carrying injuries or fatigued. In Uruguay’s case, that would include Forlan who freely admits he is not hundred per cent.
Without their talisman, the South Americans are a lot more predictable and Germany would start to look a good bet at 4/5 if the Atletico Madrid forward wasn’t to start.
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The Germans also have their problems, however, if reports are to be believed. Top scorer Miroslav Klose is an early doubt but his possible absence will be compensated to some degree by the return from suspension of Thomas Mueller. Germany were given the runaround by Spain and there will be a lot of tired legs in their camp but coach Joachim Low has a lot of promising young talent at his disposal who’ll be itching to get on the field and he’s stated that he wants his team to leave South Africa on a high note.
The third place play-off is rarely short of goals and this year should be no exception, despite the defensive formation both sides adopted in the semi-finals. Over 2.5 goals looks a good call then at 4/6.
* Germany to win in 90 minutes – 4/5
* Over 2.5 goals – 4/6
Spain v Netherlands - World Cup Betting (Jul 9, 2010 10:14)
World Cup Top Goalscorer Daily Preview
This World Cup has been something of a bonfire of reputations. Looking at the pre-tournament top goalscorer betting, it’s staggering how many of the favourites have had a tournament to forget. Lionel Messi, Wayne Rooney, Fernando Torres, Cristiano Ronaldo, Diego Milito, Didier Drogba, Kaka; the list goes on.
However, the man who headed the betting market before the tournament began also heads it as we head into match 64 of the tournament.
David Villa was an 8/1 chance to sop score in South Africa before a ball was kicked. The Valencia striker (as he was then) had won the Golden Shoe at the 2008 European Championships with four goals, and with his country the ante-post favourites to lift the World Cup, he was the obvious choice to top score. It has been a great summer for the 28 year old as since then, he has netted five goals and secured a big money move to Barcelona.
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Every time I have heard a commentator describe Villa as a man ‘in great form’, I have wanted to punch my television. This is not a man in form – this is the David Villa that has been banging in goals for Valencia and Spain for years. Statistics (based on goal importance and the tournament they were scored in) showed that Villa was the most prolific goalscorer in the world between 2005–2009, seeing the back of the net over 156 times.
The IFFHS listed him 4th in the World’s Top Goal Scorer 2009 rankings while in 2010, he came first in their 2010’s World Top Goalscorer at International Level rankings. He has scored an astonishing 43 goals in 64 appearances from Spain and is just one goal away from equalling Raul’s all-time Spanish goalscoring record.
Villa has five goals in South Africa and is now just 4/5 to lift the award. A solitary goal in Sunday’s final should be enough.
Whilst Villa has enhanced his reputation further in South Africa, his strike partner Fernando Torres has had a tournament to forget. The 26 year old striker has yet to find the net and has been substituted early and dropped on more than one occasion. Quite what’s prompted the Liverpool striker’s loss of form is unclear, although it doesn’t look likely to deter Chelsea from making a big money move for the Liverpool striker this summer.
As the tournament drew closer, Netherlands striker Robin van Persie was the subject of one of the biggest gambles. Backed in to just 11/1 (from 25/1) to win the Golden Shoe, the Arsenal frontman looked in imperious form in pre-tournament friendly wins. However, despite the Netherlands’ run to the final, van Persie has yet to really spark into life, scoring just one goal. He is 200/1 to top score in the tournament, and with four goals in the final needed, that is one heck of a tall order.
The Oranje’s goals have come from an unlikely source and their tournament top scorer is midfield creator Wesley Sneijder. The Inter player has five goals, although quite how he was awarded the Netherlands’ first goal against Brazil, no-one is quite sure. Sneijder is the 11/4 second favourite to lift the Golden Shoe and become the first Dutchman to ever win that award. For anyone who backed the 26 year old each-way at 66/1 before the tournament began, a tidy payout looks to be on its way.
It promises to be an intriguing final and, whatever the outcome, we get a new name on the trophy when the final whistle blows. I actually fancy the Netherlands to cause something of an upset and to make it third time lucky in the biggest match of them all. Back Robin van Persie to finally come up with something special and win the Cup for the Dutch.
World Cup Final Match Previews
Holland v Spain - World Cup Final Betting Tips (Jul 8, 2010 14:15)
World Cup Final Betting Tips
Sunday 11 July – WC Day 31
So, after 63 matches and a month of intriguing football, the nineteenth World Cup Final is upon us. Spain play the Netherlands in the showpiece event at Johannesburg’s Soccer City stadium on Sunday evening.
It was 6/5 before the tournament began that we would have a first-time World Cup winner and, sometime on Sunday evening, one of these two European powerhouses will become the eighth nation to have their name inscribed on the famous trophy.
Whilst many of the fancied sides have fallen along the way - the likes of France, Italy and England in inglorious circumstances - it could easily be argued that the world’s two most in-form nations will contest Sunday’s final. Bert van Maarwijk’s side are now unbeaten in 25 matches, and have won every single match in the 2010 qualifying and tournament proper. Indeed, the Netherlands are bidding to become the first side since Brazil in 1970 to win the World Cup by triumphing in each of their Finals matches within 90 minutes.
Similarly, Spain are on a terrific run under Vicente del Bosque and have lost two of their last 25 matches. This is after a world record 35 match unbeaten streak between 2006 and 2009 which saw them become the first team to reach the top of the FIFA rankings without having won the World Cup. The reigning European Champions are also attempting to become only the second nation to ever win the Euros and then the subsequent World Cup (after West Germany in 1972 and 1974).
So, with the two form sides in international football coming face to face, what should we expect from this match?
Spain have reached their first World Cup final without ever really hitting top gear. After a disappointing opening defeat to Switzerland, they have won every match. Their 1-0 defeat over Germany in the semi-finals also brought the Spanish another world record as they have now gone six international tournament knockout matches without conceding a goal. They shut out Italy, Russia and Germany in Euro 2008 and have now failed to concede against Portugal, Paraguay and Germany in 2010.
The inclusion of the Barcelona youngster Gerard Pique has been key, and the ex Manchester United player looks like he could be the fulcrum of the Spain defence for years. Captain Iker Casillas has long been one of Europe’s best shot stoppers and the two full-backs (supposedly Spain’s weak link) have been excellent throughout. The 5/4 therefore on Holland to score no goals could well represent good value.
Much has been written about Spain’s midfield - although completing hundreds of passes every match without actually getting anywhere is reminiscent of Arsene Wenger’s underachieving Arsenal side - and so del Bosque’s only real selection issue revolves around Fernando Torres. The Liverpool striker has been a real disappointment in South Africa, and Barca youngster Pedro was preferred to Torres in Spain’s semi-final win over Germany.
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As for the Netherlands, adapting their penchant for attacking, ‘total’ football into a compact, organised unit might seem like sacrilege but it has been enormously effective. The Dutch play two defensive midfielders which allow the likes of Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie to attack at will. Their one possible weakness is defensively, with Ajax keeper Martin Stekelenburg not quite international class and right-back Gregory van der Wiel inexperienced at this level.
Perhaps surprisingly, the two sides have only met nine times in the last ninety years, and only three times in competitive matches. Two of these were in qualifying for the 19894 European Championships, and so there is no real form guide for this match.
Spain are clearly the better side and have a defence that gives away very little. However, I just have a sneaking suspicion that a touch of magic from van Persie, Robben or Sneijder might be enough for the Oranje. The Dutch are 6/4 to lift the World Cup, or if you fancy that they can win their seventh consecutive World Cup match within ninety minutes, you can take the 11/4.
Don't forget our “Bore War” Money Back Special on this match - if it ends 0-0, we'll refund all pre-match singles in the Correct Score, First/Last Goalscorer and Scorecast markets.
Uruguay v Germany - World Cup Playoff Preview (Jul 8, 2010 11:26)
World Cup Daily Preview - Saturday 10 July
Can there be a match in world football that players want to play in less than the World Cup Third/Fourth Place Play-Off?
A match to decide who effectively wins the ‘bronze’ medal, Uruguay and Germany will take to the field in Port Elizabeth on Saturday night still licking their wounds after narrow World Cup exits.
Uruguay exceeded all expectations by reaching this stage of the tournament, although losing by the odd goal in five to the Netherlands will hurt considering they were missing a handful of first team regulars. Luis Suarez should return for Saturday’s encounter, with the controversy surrounding his extra-time handball against Ghana refusing to go away. A national hero back home, the Ajax striker has been vilified in other parts of the press, although a red card, penalty and one match ban looks a fair enough punishment for his law contravention to me.
Whilst we shouldn’t downplay Uruguay’s achievement, they took full advantage of landing in the easy half of the World Cup draw. Qualifying ahead of France, Mexico and South Africa, they needed some luck to defeat South Korea before scraping past Ghana after Suarez’s late intervention. Showing a great mixture of strong team play and individual brilliance - Diego Forlan is one of the players of the tournament - La Celeste will be looking to finish third in what would be their best World Cup performance since their win back in 1950.
Germany’s 1-0 defeat to Spain will be hard to bear back home as Joachim Loew’s side went out of the World Cup at the semi-final stage for the second consecutive tournament. After scintillating four goal hauls against Australia, England and Argentina, Germany couldn’t break down a resolute Spanish defence in Durban and fall at the penultimate hurdle, just as they did in 2006.
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Whilst Spain are the world’s form team, it is a real shame that Germany couldn’t have made it to the final. They made many friends with their attacking, enterprising football and with a low average age, all they need to do is find a replacement for the aging Miroslav Klose and this team could easily keep going to Brazil in 2014. Youngsters Mesut Ozil, Thomas Muller and Christian Badstuber have impressed, and considering the likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger, Sami Khedira and Lukas Podolski are only 25, 23 and 24 respectively, German football has a bright future.
Indeed, it was a then 21 year old Schweinsteiger that lit up the third/fourth place play-off in Stuttgart four years ago. The Bayern midfielder scored twice as Germany secured third place with a win over Portugal, and the three time champions are 8/11 to win this one.
Since two dour 1-0 outcomes in 1970 and 1974 this match has produced a surprising amount of excitement and goals. Since 1978 the match has averaged over four goals per game, and so the 13/8 on four or more goals looks good value and is a bet that would have paid out in three of the last four World Cups.
There may be changes in personnel for this one, but with the likes of Suarez, Forlan and Klose all retaining hopes of picking up the World Cup Golden Shoe, there might well be chances and goals in Port Elizabeth. I fancy Germany to win a surprisingly open and exciting encounter.
Online Betting Preview - Playing the Odds (Jul 8, 2010 10:14)
Playing the Odds
Welcome to our weekly column where we try and seek good value in some longer odds bets.
Review
When you have backed a golfer at 16/1 to win a tournament, seeing them at the top of the leaderboard with four holes to play is a great feeling. That’s how I felt on Sunday as Martin Kaymer negotiated the back nine in Versailles…until double bogeys on the 15th and 18th hoes meant he finished T6 - not even good enough for an each way profit.
Still, I correctly identified three of the World Cup semi-finalists for an 8 point profit. Not bad!
1pt Spain to win the World Cup Final 1-0 at 5/1
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Spain’s 1-0 win over Germany not only carried them to their first World Cup Final but it also broke a world record. The Spanish have now not conceded a goal in international knockout football for six matches - they beat Italy, Germany and Russia to nil in Euro 2008 and have now seen off Portugal, Paraguay and Germany in South Africa without conceding.
For that reason, I am going to back Vicente del Bosque’s side to yet again gain success on the back of a mean defence. Spain haven’t looked like scoring a hatful of goals in the World Cup, and whilst the Netherlands have won all their games so far, they have conceded at least one goal in their last four matches.
World Cup Finals are rarely a feast of attacking, free-flowing football and so I am going to back Spain to snatch a narrow win in Johannesburg on Sunday.
1pt e/w Jensen Button to win the British Grand Prix at 13/2 (e/w 1/5 places 1,2,3)
The British Grand Prix is one of the biggest days in the UK sporting calendar, and after Donington Park’s failure to prise the race away from Silverstone, the teams will return to the Northamptonshire course this weekend.
Since David Coulthard recorded back to back wins in 1999 and 2000, we have only had one British winner of the race. That man was Lewis Hamilton, who goes into the 2010 event at the top of the driver’s championship. Before you race to back Hamilton, however, remember that he had a nightmare at Silverstone in 2009, qualifying in 19th position before eventually finishing 16th, a lap behind the winner Sebastian Vettel. Vettel is the 11/5 favourite for this race.
With Mark Webber and Fernando Alonso also in the mix, it’s a tough race to call. However, I am going to back a British winner as I think Jensen Button could finally win his home Grand Prix in 2010. The reigning world champion is just 6 points behind Hamilton in the driver’s championship and his smooth driving style will suit the new, extended Silverstone circuit.
Damon Hill reckons that this race could be a classic. “I don’t think it’s possible to call the championship right now,” Hill said. “Thankfully it’s an open championship and that’s what we want to see. I’m really looking forward to this event at Silverstone - I think it will be better than it ever has been before.”
It would be great to finally cheer a home victor after the disappointment of the World Cup and Wimbledon, and I back Button at 13/2.
1pt e/w Martin Kaymer to win the Scottish Open at 16/1 (e/w 1/4 odds places 1,2,3,4,5,6)
I backed Martin Kaymer to retain his Open de France title last weekend, and I am going to do the same as the German heads to Loch Lomond to defend the Scottish Open title he won in 2009.
With four holes to play in Versailles, it looked like the German was on course to record a stunning victory, but double bogeys at the 15th and 18th cost him dear and he ended up finishing T6. This weekend, the 25 year old bids to become the first man to retain the Scottish Open title and, with an extra place available on each-way betting, he represents great value.
It is a slightly stronger field than in France, but the tall German likes the Loch Lomond course, shooting 15 under par on his way to victory last year. His form is good - 8th at the US Open and T21 at the BMW Open before his T6 in France - and so it’s about time that the long time 2009 Race to Dubai leader lifted another title.
Back Kaymer to make history and retain his title at 16/1.
Performance to date: -32.75 points
Online Betting Odds - Weekly Sports Preview (Jul 8, 2010 09:56)
Weekly Sports Betting Preview
Football
So, after 62 matches and thirty days, we finally reach the nineteenth World Cup Final this Sunday.
First up, however, is the match that no-one wants to play in, never mind to win. The third/fourth place play-off takes place in Port Elizabeth on Saturday night with Uruguay and Germany playing for pride. Joachim Loew’s side are 8/11 to prevail in this one - but frankly, anything could happen.
It was 6/5 before a ball was kicked in South Africa that a new name would be added to the illustrious roll call of World Cup winners in 2010. If you took those odds then you are already celebrating a profit as neither the Netherlands nor Spain are previous world champions and so we will have an eighth name added to that select list on Sunday night.
The Netherlands are bidding to become the first team since Brazil in 1970 to lift the trophy having won every World Cup match within 90 minutes, and are 11/4 to do so. They would certainly be a popular winner.
Golf
With just ten days to go until the 139th Open Championship at St Andrews, the European Tour get their chance to make their final preparations for the year’s third Major at the Scottish Open. Loch Lomond is one of the world’s most beautiful courses and, ahead of the Open, a strong field will be competing for the £500,000 first prize.
I tipped Martin Kaymer to retain his Open de France title last weekend and without double bogies on the 15th and 18th he would surely have at least made the play-off. The German is attempting to become the first golfer to retain the Scottish Open title although he faces strong competition from fellow European Tour players Miguel Angel Jiminez (a winner in Versailles last week), Luke Donald and US Open champion Graeme McDowell.
Other Major winners in the field include the 10/1 favourite and world number Two Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh and Ernie Els - a 12/1 chance.
Cricket
After their excellent one day series win over Australia, England will be looking to continue their recent run of superb form in limited overs cricket as they continue their NatWest one day series against Bangladesh this weekend.
After the first match at Trent Bridge on Thursday, Andrew Strauss’ side take on the Bangladeshis in Bristol on Saturday and at Edgbaston on Monday. England are 1/33 to win the series, and Eoin Morgan looks good value at 7/2 to be the home side’s top series runscorer.
Saturday also sees England’s women take on New Zealand’s women in the NatWest Women’s One Day International Series at Taunton.
Rugby Union
With the European close season now upon us, the focus for the next few weeks turns to the Southern Hemisphere sides as the fifteenth Tri-Nations begins this Saturday.
There is a mouth watering opening clash at Eden Park in Auckland as the reigning Tri-Nations holders, South Africa, take on New Zealand. The Springboks ended the All Blacks recent domination of this tournament last year and Graham Henry’s side will be keen to avenge their 29-32 defeat in the corresponding fixture from last season.
This should be a great game, and the Kiwis can re-establish their place as the world’s best side with a win in this one.
Rugby League
It is ‘as you were’ at the top of the Superleague after the weekend’s action with both Wigan and Warrington recording comfortable victories. Wigan beat bottom side Catalans Dragons 34-16 whilst the Wolves won 30-10 at the Crusaders. Both have the opportunity to keep their good form going this weekend with the Warriors facing Salford on Friday and Warrington welcoming Castleford on Sunday.
Leeds narrowly won the battle of the ‘big two’ when they beat St Helens 28-24 last Saturday although they face a tricky test at Hull KR on Friday night. Saints can consolidate their third place by beating the struggling Catalans Dragons.
Tennis
After the world number Ones won the singles at Wimbledon last week, there are a couple of low key events in the tennis calendar this weekend with most of the big guns taking a break.
Nicolas Mahut is the 8/1 third favourite for the ATP tournament in Newport, USA - assuming that is, he has recovered from his marathon defeat to John Isner in that record-breaking Wimbledon match. Sam Querry and Mardy Fish lead the betting in this one.
The WTA Tour is in Bastad for the Swedish Open with Italy’s Flavia Pennetta the top seed. France’s Aravane Rezai is the world number 20 and looked confident in her opening 6-4 6-2 win over Lilia Osterloh of the USA.
Horse Racing
Even though Newmarket’s July Festival might be over by the weekend, there is some high quality racing on Saturday.
The weekend’s most interesting meeting is at York where the John Smith’s Cup (3:05pm) is the highlight. Rebel Soldier is the 4/1 ante-post favourite, but this race is typically a difficult one to call and with candidates including Imposing, Wigmore Hall, Forte Dei Marmi and Ransom Note, it promises to be an interesting race.
There is also a good seven race card at Ascot with the highlight being the Group 3 Summer Mile (3:25pm).
Chester also hosts two listed races: the seven-furlong City Plate (2:15pm) and the five-furlong City Wall Stakes (3:20pm).
Elsewhere there is racing from Nottingham, Hamilton Park and Salisbury.
Germany v Uruguay - World Cup Top Goalscorer Betting (Jul 8, 2010 09:25)
World Cup Top Goalscorer Daily Preview
Despite both being eliminated from the 2010 World Cup by the odd goal in an even semi-final, the tournament is not yet over for either Uruguay or Germany. The two former winners have the matter of a third/fourth place play-off match in Port Elizabeth on Saturday evening to determine who wins the bronze medal.
For four strikers with realistic ambitions to win the World Cup Golden Shoe award, it is also an important night as it is their final chance to add to their goals tally.
In May, I tipped Miroslav Klose at 30/1 to top score in South Africa. The fact I backed him each way already pretty much guarantees me a payout, but a couple of goals for the prolific international hitman could see Klose retain the award he won in Germany in 2006.
The 32 year old deserves to be held in the same esteem as some of the great strikers in recent football history. With 52 goals in 101 international appearances - better than a goal every other game - his international scoring record is nothing short of sensational. And, the Polish born striker is just one goal from equalling Ronaldo’s record of fifteen World Cup goals. A brace against Uruguay would see Klose become the World Cup’s greatest ever striker - an incentive to perform in Port Elizabeth if ever he needed one.
A goal behind both David Villa and Wesley Sneijder, Klose is 5/1 to lift the Golden Shoe in South Africa. Had he not been suspended for a match and a half after his sending off against Serbia, we might already be celebrating the tournament’s greatest ever goal machine.
One of Klose’s Bayern team-mates also harbours ambitions of winning the Golden Shoe. Thomas Muller hadn’t scored an international goal before arriving in South Africa, but his four goals helped his side to the semi-final - a match he missed through suspension. Muller is 12/1 to win the award, and if he were to prevail it would be the most surprising winner since a little known Sicilian - Salvatore Schillaci - won the Golden Shoe in 1990.
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Before kick-off, any chance Uruguay had of success was largely based on the fact that they boasted two of Europe’s leading strikers. After a quiet start in a 0-0 draw with France, both Luis Suarez and Diego Forlan have come to life and the pair are 66/1 and 12/1 respectively to take the award.
Atletico Madrid striker Diego Forlan was 66/1 to lift the award before the tournament began and has four goals going into Saturday’s match. His long range strikes against Ghana and the Netherlands have cemented his position as one of the world’s most prolific strikers and the two time Pichichi winner has enhanced his reputation further in South Africa.
Luis Suarez was doing a decent job of adding a nought to his transfer fee every game he played in South Africa until an instinctive intervention suddenly turned him into Public Enemy No 1. His goal-line handball against Ghana might have kept his side in the tournament, but for the press coverage he has received since, he may as well have shot a kitten in the centre circle. Whether it stops a likely big money move to La Liga or the Premier League is another matter and it’s likely that the Ajax captain has played his last game for the Amsterdam side.
The third/fourth place match tends to be a surprisingly open affair with the matches since 1978 averaging over four goals a game. I think there could be plenty of chances for the likes of Klose, Muller, Suarez and Forlan to add to their tallies in this one, and, from an unashamedly selfish point of view, a Klose hat-trick to secure the Golden Shoe at 12/1 would be the best outcome.
World Cup Match Previews
Germany v Spain Betting Tips and Predictions (Jul 7, 2010 13:31)
With the potential to be the best contest of the tournament so far, Germany v Spain is sure to be as close to call as any. The PP staff once again have the chance to show their football knowledge and help you find a winner.
Once again, we must distance ourselves from any nonsense and ramblings which may appear in this Semi Final tips piece……….
Greg - €10 Germany to win on penalties @ 9/1
It’ll be Klose and Spain’s Xavi midfield will dominate possession. They certainly have the Villa to win but if I had to Pique an outcome, I reckon the Germans will hold there Ollie Neuville and win on penalties.
Brian - €10 Germany -1 @ 5/1
Contrary to popular opinion, I don’t think this one’s gonna be too Klose. Spain are gonna be gonzo like Xabi Alonso.
Since Muller and his superb corners are suspended it has robbed me of the classic dairy based puns I have been enjoying over the past month. It’s the poorest German team for pun opportunities since Stefan Kuntz decided to hang up his international boots in 1997.
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Kris - €10 Torres to score 2 or more @ 16/1
Just because Volkswagen own Seat, this doesn’t mean that Germany are going to ‘’own’’ Spain.
Because of this I can ‘seat’ - Spain beating Germany.
Joe - €10 Spain(-2) @ 13/1
Germany will struggle to make an impact on this game without the ball as Spain won’t be nearly as profligate in possession as England and Argentina.
I expect Spain to dominate and pulverise. Lahm’s for the slaughter.
I don’t fancy Germany’s keeper either, I predict a blooper. It’ll be a case of so Neuer, yet so far for the Germans.
Dan - I’m gonna go with the German’s again. I’ll have €5 on the Klose first goalscorer (13/2) and €5 on Germany -2 at 16/1. I think the Germans will be too much for the Spaniards even without Muller, I think the Germans will be too Klose for Comfort.
Luke - Spain +2 @ 1/14
….because a virtual 71c is better than nothing.
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posted by getvisible @ 9:07 PM
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