My dark horse...Portugal. Everyone is talking about Brazil, Spain to repeat, Argentina, and Germany as the favorites. Rightfully so, but there are also other teams like Belgium that are getting way too much respect. Nobody is really talking about portugal as a serious contender. Most people may think it is only Ronaldo and a bunch of chumps. This team has plenty of quality players and has recently done well in intl tourneys. I believe they are ready to break into the upper echelon and make a strong, serious run at the Jules Rimet. Putting $100 @ 25/1 in Tahoe next week.
I'm done with Jozy....we're now over 6 months since he scored his last goal and he doesn't do enough to hold up play after long balls to deserve a spot vs Ghana. If you can't finish chances and you can't be a striker for Dempsey to play off....you're useless
I wouldn't be surprise to see that exact lineup though. Personally I love JJ...he is the most athletic player on the team and deserves to be starting but I wouldn't be shocked if he took a straight red in the 8th minute against Ghana either.
Beckerman stands in one spot and turns to pass to a fullback so his passing % looks good but IMO shouldn't even be on this team except for the German's apparent love affair with dreads. can't stand his play but he's a real good dude so good for him...just prefer he watches from the bench. Dreads/Bradley linked up well for 45' vs Mexico but then the Mexicans tore them apart in 2nd half with some very simple tactical changes which wouldn't be lost on Ghana or Portugal.
we'll see...can't say I'm expecting much out of the USMNT performance in Brazil though
holy shit i almost ate my words there laid the wood -185 there and ah as well.. down 2-0 early on fought back then grab the lead 3-2 and zambia levels it with a longshot deflected and japan comes right back long thru ball over the top to seal the W. as far as value on longshot futures i took france at +2300 no ribery now which is definitely a huge blow but i expect griezmann to step in and get the job done. france has many inform players coming into the WC imo
I Tried putting in a live bet when Japan was down 2 0, but it was not available... Didn't watch game, but saw the summary!!! I laid the wood Argentina to win the half -270 vs Trinidad and nearly lost it.
I based my France play on their draw, athletic backs, current form, pogba, and k9. They will be organized enough to still give Germany a game, but that's hedge time for me at that moment.
I expect Nigeria to draw/win over US...
I based my France play on their draw, athletic backs, current form, pogba, and k9. They will be organized enough to still give Germany a game, but that's hedge time for me at that moment.
I expect Nigeria to draw/win over US...
My two cents on the World Cup...
I think the casual fan will be shocked when the big teams (Germany, Spain) get knocked out earlier than expected and others European squads don't perform to standards. It's going to be not only hot, but humid, in Brazil. No European team has ever won the Cup in South America. I think it will remain so when it's done. I played Argentina to win +430, Uruguay to reach the final (+1200) and semifinals (+430), and Colombia to reach the quarters (+165). Brazil's numbers are way too low to play, even if I expect them to win it all.
I also played Netherlands (+320), Switzerland (+270) and England (+240) to win their group. Netherlands only needs a slip from Spain to place first and is a lot better priced than Spain (-150). Switzerland is in an open group (France, Ecuador and Honduras) that should offer some shocking results. England is the best priced of the three. Just taking the best price, even though I'll be rooting for Italy.
I also played Ivory Coast (-105) and United States (+305) to advance. Japan and Greece I think are a step behind Ivory Coast. USA is better than people believe, and people get all hung up on Portugal because of Ronaldo but forget they had to win a play-in to get to the Cup.
Finally, I played Group C (Colombia, Ivory Coast, Japan, Greece) to score the most goals at +1300, and Group G (Germany, Portugal, United States, Ghana) to score the least at +850. Group C countries are all use to hot and humid weather and--except for Greece--play open and attacking soccer. Every match in Group G could be an "afraid to lose" defensive struggle. The USA match is U2 -106 and Germany is U2.5 -143. I could see both being 1-0, 1-1 type games. And I played Lukaku (Belgium) to win the Golden Boot at +2750. He is Belgium's key scorer (and seems the ankle won't be an issue), they have an open group and could meet the United States in the first knockout before facing Argentina. A multitude of offensive nations for a slightly underrated scorer to bag goals.
I think the casual fan will be shocked when the big teams (Germany, Spain) get knocked out earlier than expected and others European squads don't perform to standards. It's going to be not only hot, but humid, in Brazil. No European team has ever won the Cup in South America. I think it will remain so when it's done. I played Argentina to win +430, Uruguay to reach the final (+1200) and semifinals (+430), and Colombia to reach the quarters (+165). Brazil's numbers are way too low to play, even if I expect them to win it all.
I also played Netherlands (+320), Switzerland (+270) and England (+240) to win their group. Netherlands only needs a slip from Spain to place first and is a lot better priced than Spain (-150). Switzerland is in an open group (France, Ecuador and Honduras) that should offer some shocking results. England is the best priced of the three. Just taking the best price, even though I'll be rooting for Italy.
I also played Ivory Coast (-105) and United States (+305) to advance. Japan and Greece I think are a step behind Ivory Coast. USA is better than people believe, and people get all hung up on Portugal because of Ronaldo but forget they had to win a play-in to get to the Cup.
Finally, I played Group C (Colombia, Ivory Coast, Japan, Greece) to score the most goals at +1300, and Group G (Germany, Portugal, United States, Ghana) to score the least at +850. Group C countries are all use to hot and humid weather and--except for Greece--play open and attacking soccer. Every match in Group G could be an "afraid to lose" defensive struggle. The USA match is U2 -106 and Germany is U2.5 -143. I could see both being 1-0, 1-1 type games. And I played Lukaku (Belgium) to win the Golden Boot at +2750. He is Belgium's key scorer (and seems the ankle won't be an issue), they have an open group and could meet the United States in the first knockout before facing Argentina. A multitude of offensive nations for a slightly underrated scorer to bag goals.
Take this however you want, being born in The Hague(tho, raised in states)Dutch football has been in blood for 40 years now...from Cruyff to Gullit we have no shot....from Van Nistleroy we've looked like a well oiled Maserati in training....the country and it's critics alike do not expect a thing...in college basketball parlance, the Dutch are the Gonzaga of world football...so, who to believe?...we could stun the whole tourney '95 Ajax style with the 3 old men up front and the youth behind them..or we could go 1-2 in group(surely 0-3 is out of the question....again?) and go home...it saddens me the departure of style w/how we once played but so the times change...the defense will be tested unmercilessly from Chile and Spain..a win v. The Roos should be a given..the chile game will be the decider....a loss or draw v. Spain is imminent, I feel van gaal will play for draw with this ludicrous 5-3-2 formation(tho, he claims it will be only 3 backs, thus a 3-4-1-2)....either way, this will surely be a strange tournament for Dutch supporters...my prediction....1-0-2 in group(5pts place2nd)...and ciao come the 2nd round v. Brasilia...even though I do not back either of the South American powerhouses(Argentina or Brasil...not crazy bout either keeping or back lines)...cheers
So, I eat crow...though Sneijder looks lost as a central attacking midfielder at times and robben is still a selfish footballer..I believe the youth in this team seems to be lifting the last hurrah for the 3 wisemen...Hup Holland Hup....and if looking strait on at Diego Costa headbutting is not a clear view as the announcer so proclaimed, then what is?...cheers....happy times tonight with the family!!!
Excellent performance from the Dutch, especially after falling behind on a questionable call awarding the penalty. My perception, which may not be reality, is certain Dutch teams from the past might of folded a bit after that occurrence against a side with the quality of Spain. RVP actually showing up for country on the biggest stage - if that continues the possibilities could be endless.
