apparently, I dont know much about futbol in these parts... so i guess ill just keep flipping this coin here and hope for the best.
still not in the clear, worst thing about getting sick is everything tastes the same. i like tonights card, as in REALLY like it... or maybe thats just the meds talking.
reading some of these replies the past few days; its amazing how little understanding of european futbol some people have. and how little understanding they have of the 'situational' side of it.
mentioned this repeatedly during thy time in this forum; backing a juiced road favorite on the HC - especially with Intls - is one of the worst wagers anyone can make. and proven... yet again...... this past week. bunch of top 10 nations in the world 1) all were on the road 2) all were favs vs an inferior team 3) all didnt need any kind of result....... and they all played that way. (spain, france, croatia, holland even belgians just walked thru the motions and Germans were scoreless at the half in estonia) and can add two more to that list tonight (Port/England however, they arent playing creampuffs). in the "big picture", both are already through.
Kosovo/Montenegro - these two neighbors are not fond of another & not going to dwell on the social/political aspect from that war-torn area but they hate another; and tho some in this forum might laugh and think nothing of it but this match has actually gotten huge attention up there & being treated like its the final. played to a 1-1 draw back in June in a game which was abaout as even as you can get it. another one of those games where the stats, table standings and whatever dont mean as much. Kosovo heartbroken when Czechs bagged that late one vs the Lions the other day. but things arent dead for them as keeping in mind theyre still qualified for a playoff spot tho the easier route is to nab the Top 2 and theyll get their chance next month with that trip to Prague. ppl look at Montenegros 13 conceded and think they are weak at the back, but 11 of them were vs Czech/Lions, toss in the fact Kosovo hasnt had a cleansheet yet & Im not all too keen on the HC because of this. however, would advise - and was reminded from a buddy - when looking at it from this way a draw/win for them doesnt matter much tonight - theyll still have to beat the Czechs in Prague next month no matter what. this is actually difficult to gauge, but I do know Mont isnt going to roll over and theyll love nothing more than to ruin everything.
One of the very first things I did was look at the card prop for this one. got a Portuguese ref whom less than 2 years ago was still working the kiddies before getting promoted & if history is any indication he tends to keep his whistle in his hand; assigned to Germans/Dutch & Lions/Czechs already but I dont know how the heck hes going to be able to do that tonite & a bit suprised UEFA didnt assign someone while a little more experience for this one. giving me '+' on a 5?? ill take it as this has the makings of a rugby-style match.
Kosovo/Mont over 5 yellows @+108
Kosovo/Mont over 1.5 @+130 (2nd half)
EDIT: coule of fun plays
tailing a buddy whom dropped this in my lap earlier today. a crazy stat. Kosovo has scored before the half hour mark in 8 of their past 9 european matches. so im taking a shot at this:
Will there be a goal before the 31st min? Yes: @-115
Kosovo/Mont 1st half over 1 @+112 (1st half) - there hasnt been a scoreless 1st half in their past 10 non-friendlies too).
Bulgaria/England - negatives? 1) this is a nasty spot for Lions with two roadies in 3 days time (tho distance isnt too bad) and like mentioned above, on one hand theyre already through considering the Czech/Kosovo facing another next month, a win at home vs Mont there punches the Lions ticket. so like all those others in that list above, England doesnt really need to do anything tonight 2) Bulgarians been sitting at home all week, practicing, scheming, studying with 6 days of preparation time 3) nothing negative, but Lions always seem to shove something hard up my butt whenever I back them on the road. and had they gotten the draw 3 days ago I most likely would have faded them in this spot here; but cannot/will not do that now. after watching that match one thing which strikes me is that I dont think Southgate can/is willing to depend on his backline tonight; these guys looked a bit unorganized a few days ago & coupled with Kosovo hanging 3 on them last month (havent had time to check the media reports) but Id have to imagine he'll be making some changes in the back. havent heard of anyone getting rested up front and not in mood to take a juiced HC on the road. havent spoken of Bulgarians, tho they are in the basement, i dont consider them a creampuff. these guys had been cleansheeted just once in a non-friendly match at home in last 11; held a full strength French squad scoreless for practically an entire game & beat both Swedes & Dutch during WCQ just 18 mos ago so theres quality within their ranks still. and tho the Lions won 4-0 and dominated posession in Wembley last month, they only managed 2 shots on target and 2 of Harrys goals were from the spot. with practically a week prep time ill avoid the sides and going with the goals here hoping/thinking the Lions 'class' advantage shows up. we'll see Bulgaria/England over 3 @-102
as suspected, Iceland faded in the final half hour; that was just a bad scenario for them to start with. a month from now and nobody is going to remember & just see the '3' Lions conceded., Southgate now, finally, has something to critique/motivate them about. they go up to Prague next month, just watch.....cleansheet is coming. that was their 'throw-away' game in a pretty lousy spot for all their players considering the EPL/UCL on deck. , and yet they still won by 2. 
Incredible day!
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