10th June: Spain v Russia

[kompressaur]

17:00 Spain (1.75) Draw (3.62) Russia (5.7)

Paddy Power go a stanbd-out 1.75 on Spain. Bet365 as low as 1.67. Russia 5.7 with Pinnacle and more on the exchanges

[slick]

Should be an interesting game, anybody know how many Zenit players the Russian have as they looked hell of a team last season, allthough I have to say the Russian National team themselves ddint look to impressive against England in the qualifiers.

But then again Spain with Torres Puyol and Fabregas, etc do look a quality outfit and I have a feeling this time they won't fall by the wayside like they usually do and should make at least the semi's.

1.75's looks tempting but with spains History i'll be giving them a miss for the time being to see how they shape up.

[Betfly]

I agree slick Spain seem to be in a quandry.

Good piece in mail today talking about ticka-tique (sp?) apparently mean pretty stuff/ pass & move, all style but no end product.

Also questioning whether torres & fabergas can change from fast paced englsih prem to the slower international style spain play.

Russia double chance @ 11/10 might be of interest, or watch game to see if any betting ops .

What's your take RC??

[rcgills]

Originally Posted by Betfly

Good piece in mail today talking about ticka-tique (sp?) apparently mean pretty stuff/ pass & move, all style but no end product.

Also questioning whether torres & fabergas can change from fast paced englsih prem to the slower international style spain play.

Russia double chance @ 11/10 might be of interest, or watch game to see if any betting ops .

What's your take RC??

That'll be "tiki-taka", but it certainly doesn't mean there's no end product. It's just generally flowing football with plenty of quick, slick passing, regardless of whether or not it leads to a goal.

As for Fabregas, he's been under fire over here for not reproducing his Arsenal form at international level, and he's expected to be on the bench, certainly tonight, and possibly for much of the tournament unless Aragones changes his plans.

Wouldn't rule out Russia's chances, a lay of Spain @ 1.75 may not be a bad bet, but I think I'm probably going to follow Slick and just avoid this one from a betting point of view, just see how Spain go along today.

Only bets I've taken are Sergio Ramos (12.0) and Xavi (8.0) for anytime scorers. Xavi is the kind of player who can drive them on and make the difference even if the strikers are struggling (as he showed against the USA in their last friendly, slaloming past 3 defenders to break the deadlock with around 15mins to go with Spain struggling). Sergio Ramos is pretty attack-minded for a right-back, and has a fairly impressive scoring record, with a goal every 8.5 games at international level and a goal every 7.07 games for Real Madrid. Also seem to remember reading somewhere (although can't now remember where) a stat about the number of shots on goal he has. I think it may have been that he was the 2nd Spanish player in terms of shots on goal during the Euro2008 qualifiers, something along those lines. Anyway, given his scoring record, the price looks pretty decent and worth a small interest.

[Bigkegman]

I'm on Spain. I think they'll deliver this time and with Holland looking very impressive last night Spain will want to win the group to face either Italy/France/Romania because them 3 didn't look great.

I think it'll be a tightish affair but with the goal threats that the Spanish offer (although they haven't been banging them in off late) I'm happt to back Spain. Odds might have been better but Spain for me.

[rcgills]

Originally Posted by Bigkegman

I'm on Spain. I think they'll deliver this time and with Holland looking very impressive last night Spain will want to win the group to face either Italy/France/Romania because them 3 didn't look great.

Not sure I'd agree with that logic, Kegman. While Holland were impressive last night, that's still only one game, and on their day France and Italy are equally dangerous opponents (it's only 2 years ago they were the World Cup finalists), and while Holland are in a good position to finish top, it's certainly not a foregone conclusion - a draw with Romania and defeat to France wouldn't necessarily be surprising results.

France and Italy are also both traditional rivals of Spain, and while Spain's record against Italy is reasonable overall (including a friendly win in March this year), they've only once beaten them in a major tournament (and that was the Olympics back in 1920 ). Their recent H2H with France is pretty poor, with France winning 6 and drawing 2 of the last 8 meetings between the sides, with Spain's last win coming way back in 1981, and they've never beaten them in a major tournament. If anything, I suspect they'd probably rather face Holland.

[Kiko]

Spain for me to win this but i wouldn't get involved personally as i thinkk Spains odds are far too skinny.

Hiddink is a superb coach who has done it at all levels taken PSV into semis of CL, South Korea amazingly into the semis of the World Cup and he is one of the best managers in the game.

Plays great football does his side and i expect this to be a superb match.

I wouldn't back Russia either though.

Arshavin suspended for this game which is a massive block. Slick you would have seen him running the show for Zenit where he has been absolutely outstanding for them this season ad thats a huge huge blow especially for sides like Russia who don't have the quality throughout their squad to replace him properly.

Pogrebnyak is another who is missing up front for the Russians from Zenit and he is another big loss although Pavyluchenko (sp?) should come in who will be more than a handful.

I love this Spanish side. I know they get talked up time and time again every tournament but i have never looked as forward to seeing a Spanish side in the finals as i do this time around.

Absolute quality all around the field from Casillas who has been the best keeper in the world for me this season to Ramos who has a case for best defender. Add in Puyol too. Xavi and Iniesta two geniuses in the middle of the park and Villa and Torres upfront.

That is a great mix in this side and i really do think this is their season.

For a side which manages to keep Fabregas out the side has to be something special.

No bet though as Spains odds too skinny and Russias not enough with their stars missing to lure me in.

I quite like that Ramos bet though RC. Playing centre half for Madrid he was always bombing forward and getting many chances. Playing in what will be effectively probably a right wing back role more so than a right back role will give him even more opportunities you would think.

Infact im going to follow you there mate

[rcgills]

Originally Posted by GaNgStA kEeKs

I quite like that Ramos bet though RC. Playing centre half for Madrid he was always bombing forward and getting many chances. Playing in what will be effectively probably a right wing back role more so than a right back role will give him even more opportunities you would think.

Infact im going to follow you there mate

Good stuff Kiko He was at 12 on Betfair this morning, but that's gone now, down to 9.4 with them. Paddy Power still offering 10 though, think that's the best on offer.

[Mrs. Smith]

first I wanted to play Spain winnig by two goals, then the mean part of me (My husband) told me that he has feeling that Russia might be surprise. hmmm. bloody hell. because of all of the money Russians are putting in football, as we saw Zenit this year, and blah, blah, not having much trust in Spanish team, couse they are not on the best level when they need it like some big Championship.
Then I read somewhere that one guy is betting on "penalty kick awarded" in this match and the light bulb was turned on!! burned my hair
so I will play that one, I have @ 3,45 on penalty => Yes

c'moooon Torres diveeeeeee

[kompressaur]

a few interest bets for me-

1 Under 10 Corners @ 10/11
2 Under 2.5 Goals @ 3/5
3 After 28th Minute (first goal) @ 1/1
4 Igor Akinfeev To be man of the match @ 14/1
5 Over 4.5 cards @ 1/1
5x 2pt singles

[Betfly]

I've jumped ship & now on Spain 2-0 @ 7/1

Also HT FT Spain.


PLayers missing for Russia being key reason


C'mon Spanish!

[kompressaur]

come on referee starting flashing these cards about.

[kompressaur]

bastards that will do you Betfly

[kompressaur]

dont mind me im just working on the frontpage while im sober. be finished soomeday. just taken over 9 corners at 11/10 for 5pts. curreently 6

[kompressaur]

come on one more corner to save a bad 90 minutes of betting for me