World Cup Blog & Bets Day Three

We hit the back of the net with Chile winning 3-1 last night advised at 17. I didn’t trade as I fell asleep midway through the second half and the sound of the goal woke me up on the 90th minute. I hope some of you were on, as I say follow at peril and only playing small.

A quick recap on the games last night before we look at today. The Mexico v Cameroon game did nothing to prevent my BP rising regarding refereeing decisions and I had to stop myself having a row on Twitter with certain individuals. I don’t want the theme of all of these posts to be about officials but they do make it hard.

I am not quite sure what the referees assistant was looking at for both disallowed Mexico goals. Let us remember his sole job is to stand and look along the line for offside etc and no one will convince me it is as difficult as they make out in certain instances. Yes quick moving long balls can catch them out, but that one last night was another crass decision, compounded by another one when 3 yellow shirts are at least a foot above any green shirt when one of them glances the ball to the back post for Dos Santos to nudge it home only for it to be disallowed.

I could not help but think if it was England with 2 disallowed the opponents would have gone up the the other end and nicked a winner, fortunately Mexico did score and got their deserved win.

It was not that dull a game, Cameroon did not offer up much at all and the draw bet was down the swanny from when Mexico took the lead in my eyes.

I don’t think I would have been alone in calling the Spain v Netherlands game incorrectly. It is over 50 years since Spain have conceded 5 in a WC, funnily enough that was in Brazil and when they took the lead, I thought, here we go business as usual. I mentioned the Dutch threat is Robben and Van Persie in my write up and the pair of them took Spain apart, there is simply no other way to put it.

Van Persie’s header was sublime and the speed of Robben was phenomenal, the goal where he stripped Ramos and finished with aplomb. Robbens best moment for me was when he volleyed the rebound on 87 minutes and Cassilas saved it, that was some strike and would have been a heck of a goal.

I did think Spain may slip under the radar as a fancy to win it, and of course they did lose their first game in the 2010 before going onto win it but you cannot help think the manner of this defeat will be really hard for them to get over. Chile will smell blood and the trade on them in the winners market may well look good in midweek.

Chile v Australia saw Chile risk Vidal for 60 minutes which was widely unexpected and I can only think the Spain result made that decision. Chile knew that 3 points put them in a great position with Spain being so comprehensively beaten and they played their strongest team and came out of the blocks fast. Controlled the game and were 2-0 up early with Australia unable to cope with them. Fair play to the Roo’s they did get a grip in the game, got one back and it became a good open game (until I fell asleep!). I watched it back this morning and it was  cracking game and nice to get a bet off the mark with the Overs also landing. I think the last two games last night saw the WC kick into life and I hope it continues today.

We have 4 games to cover today.

The 5 PM KO (All times UK) sees Colombia v Greece and our dear old FTS web developer Kostas will be crying into his tea come 7 PM as Colombia run out ready winners. Falcao is not in the squad with injury but do not doubt some of Colombias other talent. Bacca had a great season at Seville having been Belgian player of the year previously and I wouldn’t mind seeing him at the Lane as I rate him as a striker.  Greece have a reputation of qualifying by just trying to prevent teams scoring and offering little up front themselves. On the World Cup stage I think it will see them fall way short.. I like the 10-11 Colombia and will have a dabble at that price.

I will also have small interest in the Correct Scores 2-1 at 11 and 3-1 at 26.

8PM we have Uruguay v Costa Rica and this could be a really good game. Uruguay are one of my dark horses but I am sure Costa Rica will provide some resistance in the first game and Uruguay look to be without Suarez for the game. They do however still have Cavani and veteran Forlan up front. I do think Uruguay will win but it may be closer than people think, neither the 4/9 Uruguay or 7/2 draw appeals to me so I am not going to have a bet in the game as I just cannot find one. I shall use it as a warm up to get myself right in the mood for the next game.

ENGLAND take on Italy in the 3rd game and I cannot help but find myself getting excited as the day progresses. i know it is crazy, we cannot win it but it just gets me going. Typically England have been backed in from 3.05 on Thursday to 2.86 as I write this and I am not sure it warrants that and I won’t be having a patriotic bet at that price.

My view is it will not be a great game and I like the draw at 3.05 most so will have a small play on that outcome.

I think it will be cagey, Italy will out pass us and we will look to exploit them with pace up front with Sturridge and Llalana out wide. Hopefully England have learned from 2012 when Pirlo ran the show and give him less time on the ball, failure to do so will almost see England punished. No matter what the managers say I think both teams will opt for a “do not lose approach” rather than a go and win the game mentality and my fear is that if England do go into the game like that they will not get out of the group. They have to be positive and go to win the game in my opinion but I am not sure that is Hodgsons way.

So the draw at 3.05 and small dabbles on 1-1 at 7 and just incase a goal fest ensues I will play 2-2 at 24

Should England win I will be chirping tomorrow and the post will explain why!

For those with total stamina at 2 AM we have Ivory Coast v Japan. This has potential to be a good game. Japan don’t know how to keep a clean sheet, the Ivorians have some great players including my Premiership player of the year Yaya Toure (How the PFA writers put Gerrard ahead of Toure, just baffles me, Suarez yes I can see an argument for it of course, but Gerrard come on!!) I make Ivory Coast favourites and by a bigger margin that the 7/4 quotes to Japans 15/8 that Coral put up for sure. Betfair is also tight struggling to separate them so i will take a plunge on the Ivory Coast. African nations do get hyped up in these tournaments and then fail to deliver but I think this Ivory Coast side does have too much for Japan in the early hours.

Under 2.5 is favourite at 1.84 so I have to go in for the overs at 2.16 also. Japan have 2 clean sheets in 17 and I think the game may well see goals.

I will top it all off with dabbles on 2-0 and 2-1 at 15.5 and 11.5 respectively.

That is it, enjoy the games and COME ON ENGLAND!!

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