You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
ERockMoney Soccer 2013-2014
- Thread starter ERockMoney
- Start date
80-154-2, -6.780 (since August)
EPL:
1.0 Hull City +145
1.0 Soton/LPool Draw +270
Championship:
0.5 Bolton +155
0.5 Nottingham Forest +130
0.5 Sheffield Wednesday +160
La Liga:
0.5 Elche/Vigo Draw +230
0.5 Levante +140
0.5 A Madrid +260
Serie A:
1.0 Genoa +110
Ligue 1:
0.5 St. Etienne/Monaco Draw +210
0.5 Sochaux/Bordeaux Draw +210
GL to all.
EPL:
1.0 Hull City +145
1.0 Soton/LPool Draw +270
Championship:
0.5 Bolton +155
0.5 Nottingham Forest +130
0.5 Sheffield Wednesday +160
La Liga:
0.5 Elche/Vigo Draw +230
0.5 Levante +140
0.5 A Madrid +260
Serie A:
1.0 Genoa +110
Ligue 1:
0.5 St. Etienne/Monaco Draw +210
0.5 Sochaux/Bordeaux Draw +210
GL to all.
Brazil: The hosts have one of the most formidable back lines in the world, with the likes of Alves, Thiago, Marcelo, Luiz and Dante, and have been excellent in maintaining leads. The have the offensive prowess to score in abundance and reap havoc inside the opponent’s penalty area. Neymar will be the focus of the attack and could prove to be one of the biggest stars of the tournament.
Oddly enough, the areas the Brazilians have struggled with the most long shots and long balls over the top. The former is likely due to their incredible defensive presence, but the latter is a surprise with the quality they have in the back. I’m not sold on the goal keepers compared to some of the other favorites in the competition.
I’m surprised all the talk of the sweet heart deal Brazil got with the group, which is very short-sighted IMO. Sure, they should coast to nine points, but they likely face an incredibly difficult match to start the knockout phase with Spain, Netherlands or Chile. If Brazil is going to be had, it will be early in the knockout round, as defeating this side later in the tournament on home soil could be an incredibly tall task.
Oddly enough, the areas the Brazilians have struggled with the most long shots and long balls over the top. The former is likely due to their incredible defensive presence, but the latter is a surprise with the quality they have in the back. I’m not sold on the goal keepers compared to some of the other favorites in the competition.
I’m surprised all the talk of the sweet heart deal Brazil got with the group, which is very short-sighted IMO. Sure, they should coast to nine points, but they likely face an incredibly difficult match to start the knockout phase with Spain, Netherlands or Chile. If Brazil is going to be had, it will be early in the knockout round, as defeating this side later in the tournament on home soil could be an incredibly tall task.
Croatia: I have been fading this side for the better part of a year and I’m not sure I want to jump off that train just yet. They made the move to Kovac at the helm after the qualification campaign began to fall apart. This side is coming into the world cup with a litany of injuries and missing pieces to go along side suspect form down the stretch.
The back line is less than impressive and has been abused within their own penalty area. There is talent in the midfield, led by Modric and Rakitic, with very capable strikers up from in Mandzukic, Olic and Jelavic. However, the offense hasn’t been there of late. Croatia likes to attack down the wings and use their size within the box to hammer goals home. This strategy plays into the strengths of both Brazil and Mexico.
I’m of the opinion that getting Brazil in the opener is a far different task then having them second or third. I expect Brazil will want to make a statement to start the tournament off and goal differential could begin to play a big part of the advancement hopes of Croatia and Mexico. Mandzukic is also suspended for the first match removing the most capable scorer from an offensively deficient side.
The back line is less than impressive and has been abused within their own penalty area. There is talent in the midfield, led by Modric and Rakitic, with very capable strikers up from in Mandzukic, Olic and Jelavic. However, the offense hasn’t been there of late. Croatia likes to attack down the wings and use their size within the box to hammer goals home. This strategy plays into the strengths of both Brazil and Mexico.
I’m of the opinion that getting Brazil in the opener is a far different task then having them second or third. I expect Brazil will want to make a statement to start the tournament off and goal differential could begin to play a big part of the advancement hopes of Croatia and Mexico. Mandzukic is also suspended for the first match removing the most capable scorer from an offensively deficient side.
Mexico: Much like Croatia, Mexico were a mess in qualifying and have made a change at the helm, but my perception, which may not be reality, is Mexico is more likely to bounce back and show well at the biggest stage. They match up well with Croatia strategically and should be far better suited to the climate and geography.
Unlike both Brazil and Croatia, Mexico has difficulty holding leads and their defense has wavered late within matches. There seems a lot of action late in matches where Mexico tends to score and concede goals. Their attack is more versatile than Croatia, but both sides play right into Brazil’s strengths.
If things play out like I suspect, Mexico may simply need a draw against Croatia to advance, which would be a huge advantage. The opening match with Cameroon is key and the African side is the wild card of the group.
Unlike both Brazil and Croatia, Mexico has difficulty holding leads and their defense has wavered late within matches. There seems a lot of action late in matches where Mexico tends to score and concede goals. Their attack is more versatile than Croatia, but both sides play right into Brazil’s strengths.
If things play out like I suspect, Mexico may simply need a draw against Croatia to advance, which would be a huge advantage. The opening match with Cameroon is key and the African side is the wild card of the group.
