That was a pretty sloppy game by Spain... Germany had their chances, and played good enough to win.
If I'm looking at the standings correctly, Germany can still advance w a win AND if Japan ties or loses. If a tie, Germany can win by more than 2 goals and still advance.
Germany "should " smash Costa Rica.
Where is this guy?
Sunday Nov 27 post mortem….
Costa Rica’s first shot on goal in 184 minutes of World Cup play won the game today against Japan. It is hard to believe – hard to explain – other than a total smash and grab. Not much to say about this match other than a first half that had nothing, then a second half dominated by Japan – and then the goal by CR in the 82. I have the feeling that if these sides played 10 times – this is the one result that CR would have won – and they would have had to do it in this fashion. Just a total outlier. Costa Rica finished this match with a .05 expected goals stat. Yes…. .05 and they won.
But the victims here are now in big trouble to advance, and will need a result against Spain. Not too likely, but I will get to that later…
Belgium / Morocco went just about the way I thought it would. Look…. Belgium are that team that gets put together with massive expectations, wins nothing for a decade, and then trots out 35 year olds to defend faster and more talented sides. Their starting center backs have basically retired from the Premier League to play in the Belgian league – which is the equivalent of Tom Brady going back to college. The midfield is just about the same – with DeBruyne barely able to get on the ball and when he does there is no support. Up front is equally weak – but seeing Lukaku come on in the 80th minute means he might be available for their next match – and he is a guy who can singlehandedly win games. Belgium’s passing in dangerous areas is almost non-existent – they only have 12.5% of their overall completed passes in their opponents final third – which is close to horrific.
Morocco finally lived up to my expectations with a patient, professional display cutting off the slow Belgian passing lanes and creating from those turnovers. The breakthrough unexpectedly came off of a set piece that fooled everyone on Belgium – and was largely a goal because of the defense of Belgium not reacting (Witsel standing and watching). But Morocco were the more dangerous side all game – just sitting back and allowing the Belgian passing in totally non-threatening positions (Belgium finished with double the completed passes of Morocco) – and picking and choosing when to attack – but when they did it was always with purpose. Morocco are in great shape to advance now – and Belgium will need to beat a Croatia side that looks to be coming in to form.
After a second minute goal for Canada – it was all Croatia all the time. It was watching a perfectly tactical side against an undisciplined naïve Canada. I knew at about the ten minute mark that Croatia were in good position, even down 1-0. One of the things I always tell new soccer watcher to look at is to take your eyes off of the ball and watch the runners and positioning of surrounding players. It tells you way more than the ball does. All I saw was Croatian runners that were not being followed by Canadian defenders – and eventually – this means problems.
The first Croatian goal found Kramaric lose his marker and was wide open for an entry pass about 10 yards from goal. The second was a scramble at the top of the box – but when the ball fell to Livaja – the Canadians literally stood there and watched him bury his shot in the lower corner. Croatia continued to have ridiculously wide open attempts – events you don’t see at this level very often – and they could have scored 10 today. This was a burial – and Canada are now buried in the tournament.
The most entertaining game today was Spain Germany. Germany kept their hopes of advancing alive – and actually in good shape – with a critical late goal. It was a match filled with excitement – and chances – but I will go on record with something….
There will be a day in the next two weeks where you will see a statline like this…
Spain XXXX
Possession 65% 35%
Shots 17 5
Passes 600 250
Score 0 1
It is coming.
@vanzack
every day they burn usa flag all over the middle east so?better team will win,flag burning is big B.S,all i know usa should not be favorite,usa has young hungry team that want to show the world they are not just about nfl and basketball,and on the other side they will give thier 100 percent for a country that is going through crises,talent is on both sides as iran has 16 player playing in europe.and usa is full of future stars,will be a 1-0 game in my book as both will playing catch me if you can,for sure vanzack will educate us soon ??????
NOTE: All of the group match bets and writeups are INDEPENDENT of any futures bets. It is as if the futures bets do not exist.
Tuesday Nov 29
Netherlands / Qatar – No Bet – Not much to say about this one other than the Dutch should be able to name the score. But the fact that they advance with a draw would make me concerned for anyone interested in laying -525ish (not me) – as if it gets late and is somehow still scoreless or tied the Dutch might just mail it in. I don’t really see that as likely though. Predicted Final Score Netherlands 3 Qatar 0
Ecuador / Senegal - Senegal +220 (1 unit risk) - It is win or draw for Ecuador, or win for Senegal to advance. That’s as cut and dry as it gets. Pretournament – I really favored Senegal in this match. But my eyes have told me that Ecuador is going to be a very tough out – and Senegal are depleted with the loss of Kouyate and are just lacking the offensive punch to get a goal when they really need it. All of that being said… I am taking a reduced stake risk at high odds in this one for Senegal to push for a win and get it – likely in an ugly physical match. Predicted final score Ecuador 1 Senegal 1
England / Wales – England -220 (win 1.5 units) – I hate laying this. But I cant see any other result here because of the group situation and Wales situation. Wales have to win, and that means very bad things for Wales against England. Barring an early Wales goal – the longer it goes without one – the more England will be taking chances going forward and the dam will breach eventually. If England score early – this could get ugly. Wales without their starting GK, and offer nothing going forward. The one concern I have is the team England will put out – but I am confident Southgate will not put out a defensive shape against a punchless side like Wales. Predicted Final Score England 3 Wales 0
USA / Iran – Iran +.5 -115 (2 units) – Sticking with my pre-tournament read on this one – that has only been bolstered by the US play in their first two matches. The US have to win. Where are the goals coming from when there is absolute pressure to get them? I fully expect Iran to come out with 6 in the back – either 4 defenders and 2 center halves – or 5 defenders with a CH sitting on top. Unless the US score to go up early – the longer this one goes – the more physical it will get – and I can see the US defense getting tested by counter attacks with speed. Predicted Final Score Iran 1 USA 0
WC Record: +1.25 units
Pending Futures:
Senegal to qualify +115 (1 unit)
Qatar exactly 0 points +300 (.5 unit)
Qatar under 2.5 points -130 (2 units)
England to win the group -260 (.5 unit win)
Poland to qualify -110 (2 units)
Denmark to win group +220 (1 unit)
Australia under 1.5 points +120 (1 unit)
Germany to win group +110 (2 units)
Japan to qualify +350 (.5 unit)
Croatia to win group +225 (1 unit)
Morocco to qualify +210 (1 unit)
Belgium not to qualify +430 (.5 unit)
Serbia to qualify +105 (1.5 units)
S Korea to qualify +235 (1 unit)
Portugal to win the group -150 (3 units win)
Portugal to win the WC +1600 (1 unit)
Argentina to win the WC +550 (1.5 units)
Pending Game Wagers:
Monday:
Cameroon / Serbia - under 2.5 -115 (2 units)
S Korea / Ghana - S Korea +155 (risk 1.5 units)
Brazil / Switzerland - Brazil -1 -120 (1 unit)
Portugal / Uruguay - over 2.25 -108 (2 units)
Tuesday:
Netherlands / Qatar - no bet
Ecuador / Senegal - Senegal +220 (1 unit)
England / Wales - England -220 (win 1.5 units)
USA / Iran - Iran +.5 -115 (2 unit)
Not discounting or disrespecting this post. Just not understanding as I have no idea what your response is. How many years have you spent in the military defending our freedom?
It is funny you assume I am American, like a typical American. I could be Iranian for all you know.
Carry on defending the outrage posse for something that is insignificant to an athletic event, and I will keep doing what I do.
First and foremost, I have respect for you. 2nd You are right I have no idea if you are an American or not. Your posts are honest, and your beliefs are fine with me. I am not looking to argue or be disrespectful. 3rd there would not be any athletic event if people like myself and others on Covers did not have the courage to defend democracy and freedom. Maybe you did not have that in your upbringing and that is alright. But for those that had no choice I would hope that you have respect for that.
As a former Canadian military guy I agree 100%. I am leaning towards Iran because the line is way off. There is a reason the Russians got the boot & Iran should of been tossed out of this WC as well. An old friend from South Africa said way back that nothing sucked more during apartheid then not being able to compete vs. other nations. Russia is paying the price for a lunatic ass hole the people are too afraid to take down. Sport is irrelevant if there is no freedom.
Cmon Guys, stick to sports… there’s another thread for politics, and rah rah. 
Enough. I don’t think you know the context. The poster was not defending Iran, rather just making a statement that the incident could impact the US with things like calls. The context of what happened has been in the papers. The United States Soccer Federation changed the Iranian flag in support of the protesters. That’s fine and all, but it could impact the team. That’s all that was being pointed out.
@gotime
This is some bullshit that some loser in the Iranian public affairs (joke department) is trying to stir up to rile the Iranian public. Its not like the Iranian public truly cares about that bullshit. They do care for their team to advance. And if they do it against us, its a bonus. An awesome bonus for them.
These Iranian players just want to be like any other athlete in the world. Play, win, go to to VIP section of club and drink and pick a beautiful girl to take home. They aren't jerking off to Ayatollah pictures in the locker room. The Iranian players support the protestors deep inside.
They beat us 2-1 in the 98 WC in France. They are not trash and can easily beat us if we can't find that early goal and this shit lingers 0-0 late in the 2nd half. Thats all Van is saying. The mindset that USA tied England so they will definitely beat Iran is so stupid. Especially since this is not our national sport that we love, so where can one assume anything confidently with the US team. Unless it's the women's team. They are the best in the world.
No way Im betting on us tomorrow. Gonna just watch and root for us to win. But if this is still 0-0 in the 2nd half, might take some live bets on Iran at that point. You know.... just in case ;)
P.S. The pressure is on Iran as well. Especially not to lose to us since they got their win last game. And the fact that its the Americans they are playing on top of that, they could have a brain fart. So we'll see
Good game between Uruguay-Portugal, but Jeezus if I'm the Uruguay manager, don't I have to figure out how to get L. Suarez & Cavani on the field at the same time ? I don't get it. I realize both guys are past their prime, but figure out how to get them on the field together. Perhaps that means "neither" of them starting the game, and bring one in at the 60 minute mark, the other at 70 minute mark.... As manager, Figure out the stamina for both these guys that will give you 100% for that brief period of time on the field together.. Uruguay still hasn't scored a goal in the tournament. It's time to mix it up coach.
Established in 1995,
. I might take a shot at USA/Iran 1H Under .5 goals. 
Hot Forum Topics
