World Cup 2nd Round 26-29th June

[slick]

World Cup 2nd Round 26-29th June

[slick]

Couple of games missing i see, I'll give it an hr or so to see if the odds auto update, in the meantime the missing games are...
Spain v Portugal
Brazil v Chile

[Bigkegman]

they are ther now slick

one game that really tempts me is Ghana to beat USA.

I though Ghana done really well against Germany and really posed them a threat and if they play similar then anything around 7/4 or 2/1 is interesting.

I'm going to go again with Forlans mob of Uruguay. The Koreans and Japanese have been a fresh of breath air !!!! nobody really knew what to expect but I think we've been surprised. But I think the Uruguains (is that a word) will be more hmmmmm - tactical (physical I thinkl) and may just bully them

[ONEDUNME]

My strategy for these group of matches will be to pick the team that I think will win and then lay the other one over 90 minutes. Potentially costly when I hit the inevitable losers but who cares. I'm also toying with a draw no bet punt on each of my teams as well but I need to have a think about that strategy.

My selections will be

Lay of Korea v Uraguay (now available to lay at 5.1 but I'm sad to say I'm already on at 5.2 to win 3pts or lose 13.2)
I wrote on this site after Uraguay's first game to say that their tactics would be totally different in game two and they would come out and attack. I also asked anyone who would listen to back them to qualify. I'm not going to desert them now.



USA v Ghana
Lay of Ghana at 3 (now 3.15) to win 5pts or lose 10.5. Much as I hate the USA, I've had to sit and admire their spirit, having come back against England and Slovenia and scoring late in their last game, they certainly deserve their place. If team spirit is worth anything, they're the ones to be on.


Germany v England
I'm on a big lay of England to win the tournement so I should really be laying the Germans but I'm not convinced by the English side. If they put in a decent performance and get through thhis round I'll back them against the Argies but I just can't be having them at the moment. Lay of England - against I've got a shit price of 2.82 - now available to lay at 2.78. +10pts or -19.1.


Argentina v Mexico
Again, Argentina are a team carrying some of my dosh so a lay of them to win in 90 mins is the bet for me at 1.55 to win 5pts or lose 2.88

Holland v Slovakia. My initial thoughts were to leave this one alone but Slovakia are capable of creating a shock so, because the price is so low, lay of holland at 5pts for -2.63pts

Brazil v Chile
Increased my stake yesterday in Spain and Brazil (see my world cup thread) and no matter how much my heart says that this is money wasted, my head knows that stranger things have happened and I must at least get something out of a shock result. Lay Brazil +5 -3.

Paraguay v Japan.
I've really enjoyed watching both of these teams and I was wondering when they both quailified, which one the bookies would make favourite as I really couldn't pick one. The bookies have gone with the tried and trusted pedigree and I think Paraguay's qualifying campaign was pretty impressive as well as their start in Africa (though I may be wrong). The Japanese seemed to work exceptionally hard in their last game and I'm not sure that the South Americans won't be fitter and stronger on the day. Got to go with Paraguay which means a lay of Japan at 4.1 5pts for -16.2, although a Japanese win would not be the biggest shock in the world to me.

Spain v Portugal
These were the two teams I backed before the competition started and I should really be pissed off to see them meet in the opening knock out game. The fact is that my main bets are now Spain and Brazil to reach the final (plus wins on them both) and a money on Argentina, so Portugal are very much my fourth string. The lay odds of 4.5 are just too high for me to part with my cash at the moment as Portugal could easily shock them. I'll either lay nearer the time or in running if i get a chance at 4 on betfair to win 5 pts.

This will be the tie of the round I reckon but some crackers to look forward to.

[slick]

Could well do Keggers but I think the USA are a lot better team than we have taken them for and like the Irish do play with their heart on their sleeve, that match has the makings of a corker, especially if Ghana can get an early goal as the Yanks won't give up, personally I favour the Yanks for a win but won't be have a bet on it as it looks a close call.

I'll agree with you on Uraguay as they have impressed me this time around, Skorea have one or two good players but overall as a team they didn't really stand out, they do tend to rely on Park a lot who as we know from United is a good player but not i'd say in the world class bracket like Forlan and Suarez for uraguay, plus barring Argentina Skorea were in a pretty piss poor group , whereaas Uraguay put in some pretty solid performances once they got over the initail bore draw with France.
plus like you say they are a lot more Physical and could well bully Korea out of the match.

[slick]

Allthough i disagree with a few of your lays there ODM I wouldent be suprised to see some of them come in as i envsiage a few of these going to extra time then maybe pens, which ones I aint got a clue but at least four of those games are very close, especially the English, USA, paraguay and Spanish matches.
After todays performance by Japan I'm half tempted to have a wee bet on them at those odds, Paraguay are no world beaters and if the Japs keep on picking up momentum I can see a shock on the cards.

[edtkh]

Not much interest in most matches at the moment and having backed Germany to go all the way pre-tournament, not increasing my stake much against England. Just a wee bet on Draw/Germany for HT/FT.

They should - hopefully - settle this in 90 minutes considering the last two meetings in major tournaments (Italia '90 and Euro '96) had gone to penalties after a 1-1 draw. A tight affair with the Germans to just shade this...

[Bigkegman]

Originally Posted by edtkh

They should - hopefully - settle this in 90 minutes considering the last two meetings in major tournaments (Italia '90 and Euro '96) had gone to penalties after a 1-1 draw. A tight affair with the Germans to just shade this...

I agree with it being tight but going on the last 2 meetings has got feck all to do with it in my eyes - it's not like the SPL or EPl. Last time on these dates are 14 years ago !!!

I do like following trends etc but 14 years is a fecking big gap

[Pete89]

Germany to win on penelties @ 10/1 for me just for the intrest. Considering a small Mexico bet too...

[Amccabe]

Defoe Anytime goalscorer 4.4 with Betfair, good value bet I think when you consider Rooney is 2.8. 4.4 is much better than the bookies too. Would expect it to shorten before the off

[Betfly]

Preview of tonights game from bettingzone.....

Argentina v Mexico, Johannesburg, Sunday 1930 BST
Argentina beat Mexico 2-1 in one of the most thrilling matches of the last World Cup and now four years on they will meet each other again at the same stage of the competition.
The global audience will, of course, be hoping history repeats itself in terms of excitement and judging by what we've already seen, there's plenty of reasons to be optimistic.
Argentina have breezed through the group stages with three victories on the bounce, completely justifying why some bookies now consider them joint tournament favourites alongside arch rivals Brazil, while their dazzling performances have dispelled the myth that Diego Maradona wasn't capable of getting his team to gel.
Of course there's plenty of time left for the unpredictable coach to let his passions provoke him into some regrettable actions but right now their camp is brimming with energy, enthusiasm and unity.
Most importantly, they are one of the few teams at the World Cup who actually appear to be enjoying themselves and they're clearly expressing this on the pitch both in their play and celebrations.
Combining flair, creativity and a ruthless killer touch up front is one thing but when you also throw heart, commitment and desire into the mix then you've suddenly found the perfect formula and as long as they maintain this momentum, it's hard to see them being halted by anyone.
The squad is packed full of quality - especially in attacking positions - but there can be little doubt that Lionel Messi has lived up to his billing as his country's star man, pulling the strings in victories over Nigeria, South Korea and Greece.
And he hasn't even scored a goal yet!
He would have easily been named man of the match against Nigeria had it not been for Vincent Enyeama's string of freakishly brilliant saves in the opposition goal while his exceptional display against the Koreans was somewhat overshadowed by Gonzalo Higuain's hat-trick.
The Barcelona man had a hand in three of his side's four goals and had his fine run and shot not hit the post - falling for Higuain to tap home - then he would more than likely have scooped the match gong.
In the final Group G clash against the defensive Greeks, the world footballer of the year was tightly marked but still managed to weave his way free to drill a fine effort against the post, as well as force two good saves from goalkeeper Alexandros Tzorvas.
The second of these fell into the path of Martin Palermo, who slotted home to complete a 2-0 victory at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, but this time it was enough for Messi to be named man of the match.
He's 3/1 with Blue Square to take this award against Mexico, whose open attacking approach could play into Messi's hands, and judging by the way he's been playing, this really is a cracking bet.
He's going to get the goals he deserves sooner rather than later and if he can break his duck against the Mexicans then profits will be more or less nailed on in this market.
Messi said: "I know I still haven't scored but I'm not bothered about that. Obviously I'd like to get a goal but it's only a question of time before it comes."
We agree.
In terms of whose going through to the next round, it's just got to be Argentina but at a best of 1/4 to qualify and 8/15 to win inside 90 minutes (both with extrabet), we're looking elsewhere for value.
Sure, we've been impressed with Mexico's fluent passing style, as well as their character and group chemistry, but this next test promises to be their toughest by far.
Having claimed a 1-1 draw against tournament hosts South Africa in their Group A opener, despite playing much the better football, Javier Aguirre's men were brilliant 2-0 winners over troubled France thanks to goals from Javier Hernandez and Cuauhtemoc Blanco.
They needed a draw against Uruguay to guarantee their place in the last 16, and a victory to avoid meeting Argentina, but after losing 1-0 they only scraped through on goal difference.
Even midfielder Gerardo Torrado admitted: "Against Uruguay we lacked determination but each squad has circumstances that make them unique. There are different factors.
"This game (against Argentina) is necessary to continue advancing and to follow our dream so we will not lack attitude."
We do believe they'll play with plenty of heart - like they did against the French - but it won't be enough to shock the highly-fancied South Americans.
A high-scoring encounter could well be on the cards and therefore we're leaning towards four goals or more, which can be backed at 10/3 with William Hill.
Verdict: Argentina 3 Mexico 1

[Pete89]

Gone for 2-2 and Argie HT/Draw FT

[Suir Thing]

Argentina should be winning this one, Mexico are light weights compared to them, they have come second in a group of shite. Argentina serious contenders to win the competition outright. On form you could not bet against them. Most people like myself waiting on them on the coupon, Argentina win 8/13 Boylesports. (to qualify 1/4)

ARGENTINA Greece 2-0 (a) W	Last 6 Results	MEXICO L Uruguay 1-0 (h)
South Korea 4-1 (h) W		W France 2-0 (a)
Nigeria 1-0 (h) W		D South Africa 1-1 (a)
Canada 5-0 (h) W		W Italy 2-1 (a)
Haiti 4-0 (h) W		W Gambia 5-1 (h)
Germany 1-0 (a) W		L Holland 2-1 (a)

[Suir Thing]

Argentina Cruisin Another Ref in the shit too, might get a kicking from the Mexicans before the night is over yet.

[edtkh]

Originally Posted by Bigkegman

I agree with it being tight but going on the last 2 meetings has got feck all to do with it in my eyes - it's not like the SPL or EPl. Last time on these dates are 14 years ago !!!

I do like following trends etc but 14 years is a fecking big gap

Just as well the scoreline was a "fecking big gap" - time a long overdue debt is repaid for the '66 goal...