World Cup 2014 Thread....

Croatia to Advance +115 (1.5 units)

Mexico to finish last +270 (.5 unit)

Netherlands not to advance from group +135 (1 unit)

Japan to win group +420 (1 unit)

Columbia not to win group -110 (1 unit)

Uruguay to win group +190 (1.5 units)

France to win WC +2500 (1 unit)
France to win group -130 (3 units)

France / Switzerland to advance +110 (.5 unit)

France to reach quarterfinals +100 (1 unit)

Germany / Portugal to advance -120 (1 unit)

USA to finish last +120 (1 units)

USA under 2.5 points +110 (2 units)

Russia to win group +240 (1.5 units)

S Korea to come in last in group +220 (1 unit)

Highly likely. Especially, if the U.S. can't stretch the flanks with the likes of  Altidore.   The only thing the Americans have assured themselves is one victory in this tournament.  Much more work lies ahead.  

Big big day for US today.....

I still think they have the same issues - but they definitely maximized their chances today and sometimes that is enough...

Big big day for US today.....

I still think they have the same issues - but they definitely maximized their chances today and sometimes that is enough...

Yes - you are right - I am in big trouble on a lot of futures.

But honestly - I am happy to lose the US one today.

Writeups coming for Tues and Wed...

Game Bets:

6-6 - 9.32 units up, 8.75 units down

Brazil / Croatia – Under 2.5 goals -115 (1.5 units) - LOSS

Mexico / Cameroon – Cameroon PK and +.5 -101 (1 unit) - LOSS

Spain / Netherlands – Spain to win -112 (2 units) - LOSS

Chile / Australia – Chile to win -215 (1 unit), Chile -1 -116 (1 unit) - WIN

Greece / Columbia – Greece +.5 +105 (1.5 units) - LOSS

Costa Rica / Uruguay – Under 2 and 2.5 -105 (1 unit) - LOSS

Italy / England – Italy PK -114 (1 unit) - WIN

Ivory Coast / Japan – Over 2 -125 (2 units) - WIN

Ecuador / Switzerland – Switzerland to win +155 (1.5 units) - WIN

France / Honduras - No bet

Argentina / Bosnia - over 2.5 -115 (1 unit) - WIN

Germany / Portugal - Under 2.5 -115 (1 unit) - LOSS

Iran / Nigeria - No Bet

Ghana / USA - over 2 and 2.5 +100 (1 unit) - WIN

Belgium / Algeria - Under 2.5 +100 (1 unit)

Brazil / Mexico - Brazil -1.5 +100 (3 units)

Russia / S Korea - Russia to win +125 (2 units)

Australia / Netherlands - Australia +1.5 and +2 +100 (1 unit)

Spain / Chile - No Bet

Croatia / Cameroon - Croatia -160 (1.5 units)

Tues 6/17

Belgium / Algeria - Under 2.5 +100 (1 unit) -

Brazil / Mexico - Brazil -1.5 +100 (3 units) - I love this spot.  Brazil looked weak in their first game, got a lot of media about how they maybe were given the game - while Mexico was basically the opposite.  This is still one of the best sides in the world who have one more game under their belts and are out to prove something.   Cameroon had nothing on attack and were lacking creative midfield players to break down the Mexican defense - which was admittedly solid almost all game.  But this is just a major class difference -  in a perfect spot - and Brazil makes a statement.  Predicted final score Brazil 3 Mexico 0

Russia / S Korea - Russia to win +125 (2 units) - South Korea used to play long balls over the top and rely on set pieces to score goals.  They are adapting to a more disciplined build up approach on attack where their speed can take advantage of wing play - but that adjustment has them on a pretty bad run of form as of late.  In their last 5 competitive matches, they have only scored 2 goals - and in qualifying finished behind Iran splitting their home and home with them 1-0 each way.  The loss of Shirikov for Russia will limit their creativity in midfield and limit their goalscoring quality.  I feel that Capello will inject some defensive discipline that has been the downfall of previous Russian sides - and this is a bet more against S Korea than on Russia. These two teams played back in November in a friendly and Russia won 2-1. Predicted final score Russia 2 S Korea 0

Wednesday June 17

Australia / Netherlands - Australia +1.5 and +2 +100 (1 unit) - This definitely a grab your nuts and squeeze bet - because if form holds from their first games - this could end 10-0.  But after analyzing the Netherlands win - I am convinced it was the Spanish decision to play a very high defensive line that was their downfall.  Time and time again the Netherlands simply sent their speedy front line on long runs to fill the space in between Spains defensive line and the goal, and the Dutch just exposed slower older backs that couldnt keep up or at times just didnt even try.  I fully expect Australia to be much more compact - and do what they did against Chile which was pack back 8 most of the time much closer to the penalty box.  This neutralizes the speed of the Dutch forwards, and relies on the Dutch making plays in the midfield.  Daley Blind was a magician against Spain but I will take my chances on seeing if he can do it against a different shaped defense.  Australia should continue to attack down the wings and play the numbers in getting a header or two on net.  Dutch have far more talent, great momentum - but I need to take the handicap with Australia.  Predicted final score Netherland 1 Australia 0 (I also like the under but just lean)

Spain / Chile - No Bet - Long story short - I just cannot figure this one out.  Will Spain bomb out and give up or will they come back with a vengeance?  Can Chile really play that ridiculous style of defense where they allowed Australia 2 on 2's while being up a goal against a Spain?  One thing I do think is that Spain will have to attack with more speed against Chile - the way to beat them is with quick offensive movements - and this is not something the Spanish are known for.  I am sure Spain will also shake up their line up. I think it will be fascinating to watch - but not something I want to have my money on.  Anyone who can go under in this game has much more balls than I do.  I think Spain deserves to be favored, but at -150 or so I am just not interested.  Too many moving parts in this one for my liking.  Predicted final score Spain 2 Chile 1 ??

Croatia / Cameroon - Croatia -160 (1.5 units) - Croatia is in must win mode here as they will be chasing Mexico for the second qualifying spot in Group A.  Croatia was solid almost all game against Brazil - but I really felt it was goalkeeping and of course the penalty call that was their undoing.  It was pretty much what I expected from Croatia - good control when on the ball - and very good on the wings with a lot of quality crosses.  Now that Mandzukic is back in the lineup - those crosses should be even more effective.  Luka Modric looks like he will also be in the lineup after an injury scare.  Cameroon just showed nothing against Mexico and were lucky to only lose 1-0.  The key for me is their defense and their inability to track on the wings and the gaps left up the middle.  A good passing team with a guy like Modric should be able to pick this apart.  Predicted final score Croatia 3 Cameroon 1

There's no mystery to parlay math.  You could bet $100 on Belgium ML and then bet $100+Belgium ML profit all on Brazil ML for the same thing.