Brazil V Netherlands
One pound left!
W Sneijder to score direct from a free kick in 90mins play @ 20/1 
Odds with PP
Got some money back from one of my anti posts, so I can have a gamble on tonight game, yeah!
Germany to reach the final are 5/2. Germany in my opinion have the second best squad in the competition, albeit with only one out and out forward. Their midfield is quite strong in attack, and can physically outmanoeuvre whats thrown at them. They have also an easier route to the final than say Brazil or Spain, so they definitely will be there or thereabouts.
Argentina V Netherlands
If the Dutch play it right tonight they can do to Argentina what the Germans did to the Brazilians, albeit with fewer goals. Argentina are a very poor team, and with di Maria out of action and Messi their only player of true class, I cant see how they can get to the final. I hope they do but I cant see it.
Messi to score a/t and Holland to win 12/1
Robben a/t scorer 13/5
Holland to win 9/4
and a cheeky bet Holland to win 4-1 80/1
All odds with PP
Nearly a wipe out at this stage, only Germany and Switzerland left for me now!
Today’s bets
Argentina V Switzerland
Messi V Shaqiri, two great players in two woeful teams. Both teams have no real idea how to defend, at least going on the performances so far, with only Zabaleta and Romero the only plus points in that regard for Argentina. Swiss goalie has had a shocking World Cup so far and appears very nervous in between the sticks, can see Messi testing him with frees all over the park today.
All four teams to score today 7/2
Messi a/t scorer 8/13
Shaqiri a/t scorer 4/1 and 60/1 to score two or more.
Messi to score from a free kick is 9/1
Hopefully claw back some money
All odds with PP
Got some money back from one of my anti posts, so it keeps my alive for another day, yeah!
Greece are a team that have over performed before. They always surprise at tournaments. They have a decent group this time round and at 6/1 to top a group containing Japan, Ivory Coast and Colombia is a great price for the former European Champions. At the very least they should get out of the group, and to be eliminated in the second round is 3/1
Nigeria V France
Nigeria showed in the last game that they will be no easy pushovers for France today. They are a team that scores goals, are physically imposing and have a top class goal keeper at the ready. I think France can still get through but maybe it might take till extra time to knock out a strong Nigeria team.
2-2 17/1
Benzema 10/11 a/t scorer
Giroud a/t scorer 13/10
All odds with PP
Germany V Algeria
Really reckon we will see a top performance from Germany today. Cant see how Algeria will get anything from this game, will be doing well if they can even score a goal. Sadly, I predict that they might get a right old hammering.
T Muller a/t scorer 8/13
M Klose a/t scorer 11/10
B Schweinsteiger a/t 11/4
All odds with PP
Got me money back, so for today’s games
Draw and Costa Rica win double 8.92/1
Netherlands V Mexico
Netherlands to play in the heat for the first time might be a factor. Mexico a good attacking team, not great at the back, but they will give it all til the end. Can see this game going all the way, right up to penos.
Game to be decided by peno’s 9/2
Rafael Marquez a/t scorer 10/1
A Robben a/t scorer 9/5
R van Persie a/t scorer 7/5
2-2 draw at 13/1
All odds with PP
Costa Rica V Greece
Time for Greece to go home, as the serious part of the competition starts for them. Cant do much without an out and out striker. Step up J Campbell to score again.
J Campbell a/t scorer 11/4
Yeah, two of my big anti post bets came off, would have got twice as much if Iran had not only gone and scored a goal with 10 minutes left, which tied one of the bets. Anyhow rather than banking the money just did a few bets for today.
IRAN are going to get a right doing over in this world cup. Up against Argentina and Messi, and attack minded Nigerian and Bosnian teams they will struggle to keep a clean sheet and score goals. They are 9/2 to score the least goals in this years tournament and 8/15 to finish bottom of their group. Two bets that I would lump a lot of money on.
Brazil V Chile and Colombia V Uruguay
Yes I am going to stick my neck out and go for Chile today. They definitely have the strikers to cause serious damage to a very slow minded Brazilian defence. Why can’t they get the win? They have already come out of a very tough group, knocking out the World Champions, and scoring freely and playing good football. Brazil, on the other hand, left it until the last game to top their group, despite playing very a weak Croatian and Cameroon team, and just about surviving a scare against the plucky Mexicans. They havent looked good at all. Only Neymar can safe it for them today, and the ref.
For the other game Uruguay will come out huffing and puffing with something to prove, and it might work for a while, but I reckon Colombia with the brilliant Rodriguez in the centre might just beat them in the end. Hopefully anyway.
Four South American teams with dodgy defences equals a lot of goals, get on that for a double!
Sneaky pound on Chile to win Wcup at 25/1.
Chile/Colombia win double 12.3/1
Colombia to win 3-1 18/1
A Sanchez to score a/t 16/5
James Rodriguez to score a/t 12/5
Neymar to score a/t 8/13
And over 4 plus goals in both games 10.5/1
All odds with PP
Honduras V Ecuador
Last bet maybe? ha need this one!
2-2 draw 14/1
Switzerland V France
Lets get another shock going today, come on Switzerland Switzerland to win 15/4 And a nice bet for Switz to win 3-2 is 40/1
Italy V Costa Rica
Watch the Balotelli show this evening, should be a cracker. Italy will do England a big favour tonight and will steamroll CR. Suarez has made himself even more unpopular in England, well tonight Balotelli is trying to do the opposite, in-lieu of a future arsenal mover, perhaps?
Bets 365 odds
Italy race to 5 corners 4/6
Balotelli to score a/t 1/1 (top bet)
over 2.5 goals 19/20
Italy to win 8/15 (top bet)
Was badly wrong about Suarez, wow did he score some crackers. Take my hat off to him. Why didn’t England just play for the draw in the end. Silly! Last game got my money back for the day, always rely on Greece for a few cynical cards.
So so day yesterday, Spain let me down, but the other two games made me some money
Today’s bets are
Colombia V Ivory Coast
An interesting game first up, and a little difficult to call really. I think Drogba might be the difference in the game. If he can click then IC have a chance of winning. He will be a huge problem for Colombia in the air, considering their defence, so I will choose IC for a win and a small bet on a 2-1 victory.
Bets 365 odds
IC to win 27/10
IC to win 2-1 11/1
Uruguay V England
I don’t think England will be as adventurous as they were in the first game against Italy. Uruguay also will be panicky. Lose and you are more than likely out of the World Cup. For this reason I would go for a draw. Will Suarez make a difference? I dont think so, not against players who know him inside out, i.e his Liverpool teammates
Bets 365 odds
Draw 5/2
Japan V Greece
I still am going to stick with this Greek team. I think they got the shock in the first game that might get them going now. I really like the bet of Greece and a draw, surely they cant lose to a limited Japanese team? In a game with few brilliant creative players, Honda might get on the score-sheet. Who else would score for Japan? But he is the only player they really have. So its Greece again for me.
Bets 365 odds
Greece over 1.5 yellow cards 8/15 (top bet)
Greece to win and both teams to score 6/1
Honda to score a/t 12/5
Over 2.5 goals 23/20
Draw or Greece 7/10 (top bet)
Terrible day yesterday, damn it, but still up a little.
Treble Holland, Spain, Croatia at about 3.29/1
Croatia V Cameroon
A game there for Croatia to win. Play it smart and win it comfortably. Will they get some favourable decisions tonight as compensation for the Brazilian fiasco?
Bets 365 odds
Croatia to win 4/6
Red card in game 12/5
Croatia to score a peno 6/1
Spain V Chile
Has Vicente del Bosque made the changes required? Probably not, but I am guessing Spain will be much more attack minded playing with maybe two strikers. If not at the start, definitely by the second half if things are not going their way. Spain and Chile both have leaky defences and both can score = goals galore! For no reason in particular I fancy Iniesta to get a goal tonight, and bet of the game is Chile to get more than 2.5 yellow cards at 1/1
Bets 365 odds
Really like the look of Chile over 2.5 yellow cards at 1/1,
Spain to win and both teams to score 2/1
Over 2.5 goals 3/5
Iniesta at 11/4 a/t scorer
Netherlands V Australia
Surely the Dutch will continue into the second game full force ahead. If they do as expected then it will be another goal fest. If they can score for fun against the Spanish,albeit a Spanish team that cant defend, then they should more than likely give the Aussies problems. if Australia do score it will be Cahill, brilliant in the air.
Bets 365 odds
Holland -2 8/5
Tim Cahill 9/2
Robben to score a/t 11/10
Holland h/t and f/t 4/6
Over 2.5 goals 8/15
Still motoring along with the odd winner here and there, still up overall by about 50 points. Today’s bets, where I am quietly confident and looking forward to seeing what Belgium are all about.
Treble of Russia, Belgium and Brazil is a decent bet at roughly 3.64/1. Probably Russia is the weak link there but I’d rather go for them than Korea. I expect that Brazil and Belgium with their striking ability can easily beat Algeria and Mexico.
Belgium V Algeria
With a very lively Romelu Lukaku up front spearheading the attack I cant see anything other than a Belgium win. Now I Know Belgium, when they do get to a world cup, have a slow start, esp in the first game, but Algeria have not much attacking threat. Good defence and some decent midfielders, but who will get their goals? Hope it wont be like the Iran and Nigeria game, frustrating.
Bets 365 odds
Belgium to score in both halves 11/10
Belgium win race to 5 corners 4/9
over 2.5 goals 8/11
Outside bet of Belgium 3-0 17/2
Brazil V Mexico
Scolari says he was more worried about playing Mexico than anyone else in the world cup, even Spain. But then he always has a bad habit of talking bollox. Mexico are not that good, and if Brazil do struggle then its due to their limitations and nothing else. Brazil in front of their fanatical support should easily win this game. Falcao can score again, and I expect another goal fest, maybe even another dodgy peno?
Bets 365 odds
Brazil -1 at 20/21
over 2.5 goals 8/13
Sneaky bet of Brazil 4-1 18/1
Russia V Korea
The difference with Russia now and in the past is the manager. Fabio Capello has instilled a more disciplined approach to the Russian team. Didnt work with England, but I guess Capello isn’t used to working with monkey nuts, play-dough and crayons. Only worry is the lack of star quality in the Russian team and I wonder will they have the legs to defend against what should be a pacy Korean team. But watching Japan the other day, who wilted under the sun due to their high temp passing game, I feel Korea will also get stuffed in the second half. Not that the Russians would be good in the sun either!
Bets 365 odds
Russia first to 5 corners 21/20
Russia 19/20 to win game
Sneaky bet on Russia 3-1 is 16/1
USA V Ghana
With all the criticism that Klinsmann got for leaving Landon Donovan home (and rightly so) and the fact its a very tough group I feel the USA will come out all guns ablazing. Klinsmann will have them set up to attack attack attack. The USA will play with a lot of skill, be clever on the ball and take advantage of playing Ghana first rather than Germany or Portugal. USA to win.
Bets 365 odds
3-1 to USA 25/1
USA 21/10 to win game
11/10 over 2.5 goals
M Bradley to score any time 5/1
USA -1 is 5/1
and Bradley to score any time and 3-1 is 60/1
Nigeria V Iran
Nigeria have a real chance of making the second round. First off, all they have to do is beat Iran. Surely they can do the number on that team. Attack with pace down the wings, physical in the middle of the pitch, your forwards powering in the goals. Simples, or at least it is in my head, ha.
Bets 365 odds
Nigeria to score a peno 7/1
Race to 5 corners 6/5 Nigeria (great bet imho)
Nigeria to score in both halves 9/4
Nigeria -3 is 14/1
Nigeria to win and both teams not to score 15/8
Germany V Portugal
All the stars in this years world cup have shined so far so there is no reason Ronaldo cant get on the score sheet today, especially since his rival Messi had such a cracking second half yesterday.
Tight to call a winner in this game so went with the safe option of a draw which might suit both teams in the first game of a tough group
Bets 365 odds
Draw and both teams to score is 10/3
Bastian Schweinsteiger to score anytime 9/2 Injured Bet Refunded
Ronaldo to score anytime is 11/10
over 2.5 goals 4/6
Draw at 13.5
2-2 is 11/1
Great day of gambling yesterday seen me getting good betting wins in all of the three games. Happy days. Will post today’s tips soon, stayed tuned.
Winning bets from yesterday, happy days
Treble: Switzerland, France and Argentina at about 4.6/1
Switzerland to win and both teams to score 4/1
Switzerland to win 11/8
Over 2.5 goals 5/4
France to score in both halves 1/1
France to win both halves 7/4
over 2.5 goals 3/4
Argentina to win and both teams to score 2/1
Over 2.5 goals 8/13
Messi to score 8/13
(Yesterday)
Form so far is 50-50, sure to hit a good streak soon
Today’s bets in the world cup.
Treble: Switzerland, France and Argentina at about 4.6/1
Switzerland V Ecuador
I fancy the Swiss team today.They have a decent team and I would expect them to be fairly solid and have enough to beat an Ecuadorian team that I’d presume will be rubbish at corners and set pieces.
Bets 365 odds
Switzerland to score in both halves 3/1
Switzerland to win and both teams to score 4/1
Switzerland to win 11/8
Over 2.5 goals 5/4
France V Honduras
People are talking up this French team, well today is there chance to hit the ground running. Even without Ribery they have Benzema and Giroud in attack. Honduras were awful in the last world cup, but Costa Rica winning yesterday might give the smaller teams today some hope. But I still reckon a decent French team will easily beat Honduras.
Bets 365 odds
France to score in both halves 1/1
France to win both halves 7/4
over 2.5 goals 3/4
Argentina V Bosnia and Hertz
Will be a tough game for Argentina but once they score one they could get a few.
All eyes will be on Messi who is bound to be closely marked. But this might free up the rest of the attack, and if Argentina come out all guns a blazing they could win this game without too much effort. I feel Bosnia will be overwhelmed by the occasion. They do have a good team, and with Edin Džeko up front they will always be a danger, but its a South American world cup, and with Brazil winning the other day, Argentina have to show off their skills and match winning ability, or their fans wont be too happy!
Bets 365 odds
Argentina to score a peno 9/2
Argentina to win and both teams to score 2/1
Over 2.5 goals 8/13
Messi to score 8/13
Ivory Coast V Japan
Some very important stats to digest.
Ivory Coast – in their previous seven games have seen both sides score, and it is virtually a whole year since they last kept a clean sheet. The Japanese have conceded 33 goals in their last 17 games, with only two clean sheets.If that doesn’t add up to a lot of goals then I might as well give up!
Fancy Ivory Coast to out muscle and out power Japan to victory.
Bets 365 odds
Ivory Coast to win and both teams to score is 9/2
Honda to score is 11/4
IC to win -1 is 4/1
Fancy IC, they have a strong team, but hope they turn up, unlike Cameroon.
Italy V England
The pitch in Manaus is meant to be awful, rock hard and bumpy. First game will be cagey from these two traditional slow starters. Hope no player gets a bad injury tonight.
Bets 365 odds
Draw and both teams to score is 7/2
Balotelli to score 12/5
Draw is 2/1
Uruguay V Costa Rica
Should be plenty of goals in this game even if Suarez is not likely to play. Forlan and Cavani can do a job on Costa Rica without too much bother.
Bets 365 odds
Uruguay -2 is 10/3
Over 2.5 goals 23/20
Colombia V Greece
Greece kept the most clean sheets in European qualifying, and with Samaras they have a player who is expert at holding the ball up while the rest of his team go forward. They have a real chance against Colombia who are without a few key players missing with injuries.
Greece have beaten better teams than this over the years so I fancy Greece to win and keep a clean sheet.
Bets 365 odds
Greece to win to nil 11/2
Greece to score a peno 14/1
Greece to win 17/4
Chile V Australia
This group is getting interesting now after the Netherlands amazing win against Spain. Still in shock with that game. So Chile have to step up to the plate now, in a game this simply have to win now.
Going for over 2.5 goals which is 1/1
And a small bet on Chile to win 3-1 12/1
Need a win!!!
Spain V Netherlands
Should be a close game, and maybe a piece of magic might win it. What about a nice free kick perhaps? Cesc Fabregas is 3/1 to score a goal. Decent bet me thinks, get on it.
Mexico V Cameroon
Mexico had a tough time in trying to qualify for this years world cup, and from the last world cup, their squad doesn’t seem to have added anything new to that team. Santos and Hernandez are back for another world adventure, but other than that I don’t see any new exciting talent in the Mexican team.
Cameroon are no great shakes themselves, but with their pace and strength they might be worth a look in the betting market today.
A nice little known fact is that Mexico have never beaten an African team in the World Cup in three attempts. Will that be four after today?
With Bet365 odds,
Cameroon to win and both teams to score 8/1
Over 2.5 goals at 8/5
Cameroon to win at 14/5
Brazil V Croatia
World Cup Openers are generally tight affairs, most of the time anyway. Very few host nations will be under as much pressure as this Brazilian team. Not only are they expected to win, but they have to win playing the Brazilian way. Tonight’s game will be all about nerves.
For this reason I am very reluctant to go with a Brazil win, which has no value. Instead I think the draw at 4/1 is worth a small punt. It has happened in the past where teams messed up in the opener – Argentina losing to Cameroon in 1990 springs to mind.
Either way it will be a close game as Croatia are not a bad team. They have the players that will cause Brazil problems. Modric will be busy in the middle of the park doing his thing. Croatia+2.0, with a two goal start, at 8/11, is worth a shout
Brazil will be gunning from the start, one would imagine, so 10 corners or more at 10/11 is promising. These bets can be difficult to get but I can see Brazil putting the game to the Croatians from the start.
If things are not going to plan, the pressure is on, the crowd are whistling, then I can see the referee making some favourable decisions for the home team. Neymar, Alves and the rest like to fall around the park a lot, and the Croatians have a few tough defenders on their team, so dodgy decisions are very possible. Could there be a red card in this game? At 10/3 I’d get on it at that price.
If all that goes tit over arse, then a saviour bet is over 2.5 goals at 21/20
All odds from Bet365
Happy punting
Pre Tournament Bets
After having a nice pint of the black stuff and going through the world cup groups and permutations , we, at ThisDrinkingLife, have come up with the best value bets of this years World Cup. We looked for value and odds better than 1/1 to give our readers a good chance of winning some money.
We will also be writing about the best betting opportunities for each game, so stay tuned for our daily updates.
All prices are a rounded up figure from most of the high street bookies. I also didn’t want to name any bookies as it would be free advertising, but I guess some online bookmakers would offer better odds
So lets kick it off.
SPAIN
I am going with Spain to win the World Cup outright at 13/2 which is decent value for a team that knows how to win major championships.
They have the most complete squad, from back to front they have the players who can do the business. Added to the team is Costa who gives the team some bite, and at a whopping 40/1 isn’t bad value to be player of the tournament. What a story that would be for the Brazilian in the Spanish team!
If Spain do reach the final (16/5) they need firepower. The last few World Cups the golden boot has been won by very few goals. Its very conceivable that Torres (50/1) or Villa (66/1) could be top scorer. A Spain / Fernando Torres winner & top goalscorer double is 100/1. Big prices I grant you, but stranger things have happened.
GERMANY
Germany to reach the final are 5/2 and a Spain v Germany final is a pretty decent 20/1
Germany in my opinion have the second best squad in the competition, albeit with only one out and out forward. Their midfield is quite strong in attack, and can physically outmanoeuvre whats thrown at them. They have also an easier route to the final than say Brazil or Spain, so they definitely will be there or thereabouts.
A straight forecast of Spain first and Germany second is 33/1
ENGLAND
England are always hit and miss. But this World Cup squad is young, mostly untested (untainted) and has good attacking options. It will be very interesting to see how they do get on. Hopefully Hodgson will give the team more freedom that he did during the Euros. If allowed to actually play football I think D Sturridge at 50/1 to be top scorer is a good price. That final game against Costa Rica England could easily win 3 or 4 nil. And as previously mentioned, perhaps 4/5 goals would be enough to get top boot.
Dare I say it, but England to be eliminated on penalties is a decent 8/1, which going by how many times in previous competitions England have bowed out of tournaments by this method that is a good price.
PORTUGAL
Portugal I feel are bang on to make the Semi’s. Ronaldo is hot on form and their route isn’t as difficult as other teams. They might have to beat Argentina along the way, but that’s very doable. I feel Argentina will crumble in this tournament. Portugal are a good 4/1 to reach the Semi-Finals, and a very good 7/1 to be knocked out at the semi final stage. Portugal have to do it sometime, so let it be this year.
SWITZERLAND
I think Switzerland are a bit of a dark horse in this years World Cup. They have Hitzfield as manager, and a decent compact squad, well drilled and a team that don’t give away many goals. It all depends on the French game, win that and they could get to the last eight, lose and I’m not so sure. To win the group, that is beat France, they are 13/5, which is worth a punt.To get to the last eighth they are 3/1 and to be eliminated at the same stage, they’re 9/2.
GREECE
Greece are a team that have over performed before. They always surprise at tournaments. They have a decent group this time round and at 6/1 to top a group containing Japan, Ivory Coast and Colombia is a great price for the former European Champions. At the very least they should get out of the group, and to be eliminated in the second round is 3/1
IVORY COAST in the same group are 25/1 to receive the most red cards in the tournament. In a fairly even group where games will be tight and close, with a very physical Ivory Coast team, that’s worth a small bet.
IRAN are going to get a right doing over in this world cup. Up against Argentina and Messi, and attack minded Nigerian and Bosnian teams they will struggle to keep a clean sheet and score goals. They are 9/2 to score the least goals in this years tournament and 8/15 to finish bottom of their group. Two bets that I would lump a lot of money on.
Some Dual forecasts for both teams to qualify. Can put any of the following into accums
Belgium & Russia @ 10/11 Group H
Germany & Portugal @ 4/6 Group G
Argentina & Nigeria @ 6/4 Group F
Switzerland & France @ 6/5 Group E
Spain & Holland @ 10/11 Group B
Brazil & Croatia @ 5/4 Group A
England & Italy @ 2/1 Group D
Greece & Ivory Coast @ 11/1 Group C
In terms of a straight forecast, who wins and who comes second, these bets stand out for me
1st = Belgium, 2nd = Russia @ 2/1 Group H
1st = Switzerland, 2nd = France @ 4/1 Group E
1st = Italy, 2nd = England @ 9/2 Group D
1st = Greece, 2nd = Ivory Coast @ 22/1 Group C
And a tricky tricast
1st Germany, 2nd Portugal, 3rd USA @ 7/2 Group G
1st Italy, 2nd England, 3rd Uruguay @ 5/1 Group D 1st Switzerland, 2nd France, 3rd Ecuador @ 6/1 Group E
One last bet to look at is for 10 or more European nations to reach the last 16 at 11/4. 10 plus the South American teams with the odd African team, I think the European teams have the numbers for that bet to come up.
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