1-1 ATS on Saturday, 0-2 on the Over/Unders. Once again, these odds cover 90 minutes + stoppage time only.
Soccer YTD: ATS 23-19-10 (56%), O/U 24-26 (48%)
Germany(PICK) vs. England, 2.5 – England is actually a slight favorite in the moneyline for this game, despite Germany looking like the stronger team in the group stage. I see this match going all the way to a shootout situation. Germany has offensive firepower, but it’s been a bit subdued for the last couple match-ups. England has struggled offensively, but is very difficult to score against. So I think we’re going to see those styles clash and result in a stalemate for 120 minutes. Germany takes it in PK’s. The Pick: Draw 0-0
Argentina(-1) vs. Mexico, 2.5 – Argentina has looked like the best team of the tournament so far. They haven’t really faced top competition yet, but I don’t think Mexico provides much of a test for them. Argentina plays with so much energy and they will have the Mexicans chasing them all game long. Scoring hasn’t been a problem, so expect several goals out of Maradona’s squad. The Pick: Argentina 3-1
Soccer YTD: ATS 23-19-10 (56%), O/U 24-26 (48%)
Germany(PICK) vs. England, 2.5 – England is actually a slight favorite in the moneyline for this game, despite Germany looking like the stronger team in the group stage. I see this match going all the way to a shootout situation. Germany has offensive firepower, but it’s been a bit subdued for the last couple match-ups. England has struggled offensively, but is very difficult to score against. So I think we’re going to see those styles clash and result in a stalemate for 120 minutes. Germany takes it in PK’s. The Pick: Draw 0-0
Argentina(-1) vs. Mexico, 2.5 – Argentina has looked like the best team of the tournament so far. They haven’t really faced top competition yet, but I don’t think Mexico provides much of a test for them. Argentina plays with so much energy and they will have the Mexicans chasing them all game long. Scoring hasn’t been a problem, so expect several goals out of Maradona’s squad. The Pick: Argentina 3-1
Nailed the score of the Argentina-Mexico game, although I was off on the Germany-England game.
Soccer YTD: ATS 24-20-10 (55.8%), O/U 25-27 (48.1%)
Slovakia(+1) vs. Holland, 2.5 – Aside from Argentina, Holland was the only other team to win all 3 of it’s group games. Slovakia is coming off a win over Italy where they almost collapsed in the last 20 minutes. I think that Slovakia is a young and hungry team, but they just can’t match-up skill wise. Holland has been playing in great form so far and I don’t see that changing tomorrow. The Pick: Holland 2-0
Chile(+1) vs. Brazil, 2.5 – Brazil did just enough to get the results they needed in their group stage victories. Expect them to pick up the pace at this stage of the tournament. Kaka and Elano are both back after missing the game against Portugal. Brazil at full strength will run right through Chile. The Pick: Brazil 3-0
Soccer YTD: ATS 24-20-10 (55.8%), O/U 25-27 (48.1%)
Slovakia(+1) vs. Holland, 2.5 – Aside from Argentina, Holland was the only other team to win all 3 of it’s group games. Slovakia is coming off a win over Italy where they almost collapsed in the last 20 minutes. I think that Slovakia is a young and hungry team, but they just can’t match-up skill wise. Holland has been playing in great form so far and I don’t see that changing tomorrow. The Pick: Holland 2-0
Chile(+1) vs. Brazil, 2.5 – Brazil did just enough to get the results they needed in their group stage victories. Expect them to pick up the pace at this stage of the tournament. Kaka and Elano are both back after missing the game against Portugal. Brazil at full strength will run right through Chile. The Pick: Brazil 3-0
Nailed the Brazil-Chile game and just off on the final score of Holland-Slovakia. That makes two straight days where I correctly predicted the final score of a game.
Soccer YTD: ATS 26-20-10 (55.8%), O/U 26-28 (48.1%)
Japan(PICK) vs. Paraguay, 2.5 – This game could easily go either way. Paraguay is a slight favorite and they play with a lot of fire. However, they will be missing key midfielder Caceres due to a couple yellow cards. Japan has a pretty solid defense and a good counterattack. They’ve also been able to take advantage of free kicks and convert those into goals. Both sides should score in this match, but in the end I see Japan being the ones who break the tie. The Pick: Japan 2-1
Portugal(PICK) vs. Spain, 2.5 – I believe Spain is the better team, but they haven’t been very impressive in the tournament. Portugal is still a bit of a mystery. They blew out North Korea, but played to scoreless draws against the Ivory Coast and Brazil. I envision this being a low-scoring, very even game. I see both teams playing to a tie in regulation, a tie in overtime, and Portugal taking the victory in the shootout. The Pick: Draw 0-0
Soccer YTD: ATS 26-20-10 (55.8%), O/U 26-28 (48.1%)
Japan(PICK) vs. Paraguay, 2.5 – This game could easily go either way. Paraguay is a slight favorite and they play with a lot of fire. However, they will be missing key midfielder Caceres due to a couple yellow cards. Japan has a pretty solid defense and a good counterattack. They’ve also been able to take advantage of free kicks and convert those into goals. Both sides should score in this match, but in the end I see Japan being the ones who break the tie. The Pick: Japan 2-1
Portugal(PICK) vs. Spain, 2.5 – I believe Spain is the better team, but they haven’t been very impressive in the tournament. Portugal is still a bit of a mystery. They blew out North Korea, but played to scoreless draws against the Ivory Coast and Brazil. I envision this being a low-scoring, very even game. I see both teams playing to a tie in regulation, a tie in overtime, and Portugal taking the victory in the shootout. The Pick: Draw 0-0
Broke even on the last two second round games. We’re now down to the quarterfinals.
Soccer YTD: 26-21-11 (56.3%), O/U: 27-29 (48.2%)
Holland(+1) vs. Brazil, 2.5 – This is not a tough call to make. Brazil has arguably been the most well rounded team of the tournament so far. Holland has plenty of talent, but they don’t seem to rise to their potential when it really matters. Their slow-paced style will lead to them struggling to get shots. Brazil can create a scoring opportunity with the snap of a finger. That’s the difference between these two teams. The Pick: Brazil 2-0
Ghana(Pick) vs. Uruguay, 2.5 – Ghana and Uruguay will be playing for a chance to reach the final 4. I belive Uruguay is the better team and should win this, but you can’t underestimate Ghana. They are the only African team left and we saw the crowd support that fueled them to an overtime win against the U.S. This game will be a duel of strikers, Forlan and Suarez vs Gyan and Asamoah. I favor the former World Cup Champions. The Pick: Uruguay 2-1
Soccer YTD: 26-21-11 (56.3%), O/U: 27-29 (48.2%)
Holland(+1) vs. Brazil, 2.5 – This is not a tough call to make. Brazil has arguably been the most well rounded team of the tournament so far. Holland has plenty of talent, but they don’t seem to rise to their potential when it really matters. Their slow-paced style will lead to them struggling to get shots. Brazil can create a scoring opportunity with the snap of a finger. That’s the difference between these two teams. The Pick: Brazil 2-0
Ghana(Pick) vs. Uruguay, 2.5 – Ghana and Uruguay will be playing for a chance to reach the final 4. I belive Uruguay is the better team and should win this, but you can’t underestimate Ghana. They are the only African team left and we saw the crowd support that fueled them to an overtime win against the U.S. This game will be a duel of strikers, Forlan and Suarez vs Gyan and Asamoah. I favor the former World Cup Champions. The Pick: Uruguay 2-1
Not a great day of picks thanks to Holland knocking out Brazil.
Soccer YTD: 26-22-12 (55.2%), O/U 27-31 (46.6%)
Germany(PICK) vs. Argentina, 2.5 – This is a quarterfinal match-up that could easily be a finals match. Both teams are excellent and if they played 10 times you would probably get 10 different results. I favor Argentina though because they play with an energy above all other teams. It will be a very tight, even battle so 1 goal could decide the winner. We’ve still yet to see the best of Messi and I predict that he’ll score the deciding goal in this match. The Pick: Argentina 1-0
Paraguay(+1) vs. Spain, 2.5 – Spain won a close game against Portugal, Paraguay won an even closer game in penalty kicks against Japan. I still am not that impressed by Spain, but they continue to get the results needed. I feel like they are vulnerable, but Paraguay lacks the goal scoring ability to really put up a challenge in this match. Villa has been consistent and Torres can step up at any moment now. Have to favor the Spaniards to advance. The Pick: Spain 2-0
Soccer YTD: 26-22-12 (55.2%), O/U 27-31 (46.6%)
Germany(PICK) vs. Argentina, 2.5 – This is a quarterfinal match-up that could easily be a finals match. Both teams are excellent and if they played 10 times you would probably get 10 different results. I favor Argentina though because they play with an energy above all other teams. It will be a very tight, even battle so 1 goal could decide the winner. We’ve still yet to see the best of Messi and I predict that he’ll score the deciding goal in this match. The Pick: Argentina 1-0
Paraguay(+1) vs. Spain, 2.5 – Spain won a close game against Portugal, Paraguay won an even closer game in penalty kicks against Japan. I still am not that impressed by Spain, but they continue to get the results needed. I feel like they are vulnerable, but Paraguay lacks the goal scoring ability to really put up a challenge in this match. Villa has been consistent and Torres can step up at any moment now. Have to favor the Spaniards to advance. The Pick: Spain 2-0
Broke even on the last two quarterfinal match-ups Saturday. We’re now down to the final 4.
Soccer YTD: 27-23-12 (55%), O/U 28-32 (46.7%)
Uruguay(+1) vs. Holland, 2.5 – Uruguay has allowed just 2 goals so far in the tournament, but they have yet to face a team the caliber of the Dutch. If not for a failed penalty kick, Ghana would have knocked Uruguay out in the last round. On top of all this, they will be playing here without their leading striker, Luis Suarez. Suarez’s absence will lead to the Dutch defense focusing in on Diego Forlan and shutting him down. Momentum is certainly on Holland’s side following their come from behind victory over Brazil in the last round. The Dutch have a dynamic offense and it will give a real challenge to Uruguay’s defense. Holland’s last 3 games have all ended with the same result, 2-1. I’m predicting that trend will be broken tomorrow. The Pick: Holland 3-0
Soccer YTD: 27-23-12 (55%), O/U 28-32 (46.7%)
Uruguay(+1) vs. Holland, 2.5 – Uruguay has allowed just 2 goals so far in the tournament, but they have yet to face a team the caliber of the Dutch. If not for a failed penalty kick, Ghana would have knocked Uruguay out in the last round. On top of all this, they will be playing here without their leading striker, Luis Suarez. Suarez’s absence will lead to the Dutch defense focusing in on Diego Forlan and shutting him down. Momentum is certainly on Holland’s side following their come from behind victory over Brazil in the last round. The Dutch have a dynamic offense and it will give a real challenge to Uruguay’s defense. Holland’s last 3 games have all ended with the same result, 2-1. I’m predicting that trend will be broken tomorrow. The Pick: Holland 3-0
Didn’t get the final score exactly, but it was a winning day for me on the first semifinal game.
Soccer YTD: ATS 28-23-12 (55.7%), O/U 29-32 (47.5%)
Germany(PICK) vs. Spain – Germany has outscored it’s last two opponents 8-1. The win over England was not so surprising, but to beat Argentina in the fashion they did was very impressive. Spain, while a favorite to win the cup originally, has been getting bailed out by David Villa repeatedly. They’ve been very underwhelming, doing just enough to get by Chile, Portugal, and Paraguay. Spain looks like a very vulnerable team, while Germany looks unstoppable. Despite all this, my instincts tell me that the Spaniards will pull out the victory again tomorrow. The Pick: Spain 2-1
Soccer YTD: ATS 28-23-12 (55.7%), O/U 29-32 (47.5%)
Germany(PICK) vs. Spain – Germany has outscored it’s last two opponents 8-1. The win over England was not so surprising, but to beat Argentina in the fashion they did was very impressive. Spain, while a favorite to win the cup originally, has been getting bailed out by David Villa repeatedly. They’ve been very underwhelming, doing just enough to get by Chile, Portugal, and Paraguay. Spain looks like a very vulnerable team, while Germany looks unstoppable. Despite all this, my instincts tell me that the Spaniards will pull out the victory again tomorrow. The Pick: Spain 2-1
Picked the Spain-Germany spread correctly, just had the wrong final score.
Soccer YTD: ATS 29-23-12 (56.5%), O/U: 29-33 (46.8%)
Uruguay(+1) vs. Germany, 3 – This game is to determine who will be 3rd place in the cup. Luis Suarez will be back for Uruguay after being sorely missed in their match against Holland. Thomas Mueller will be back for Germany after being sorely missed in their match against Spain. So we’ve got both sides at full strength. Uruguay comes across to me as a less talented version of Argentina and we saw what Germany did to them. After being completely shut down by the Spanish defense, the Germans will look to score early and often here. And they will produce another yet another 4 goal game. The Pick: Germany 4-1
Soccer YTD: ATS 29-23-12 (56.5%), O/U: 29-33 (46.8%)
Uruguay(+1) vs. Germany, 3 – This game is to determine who will be 3rd place in the cup. Luis Suarez will be back for Uruguay after being sorely missed in their match against Holland. Thomas Mueller will be back for Germany after being sorely missed in their match against Spain. So we’ve got both sides at full strength. Uruguay comes across to me as a less talented version of Argentina and we saw what Germany did to them. After being completely shut down by the Spanish defense, the Germans will look to score early and often here. And they will produce another yet another 4 goal game. The Pick: Germany 4-1
It all comes down to this one final game.
Soccer YTD: ATS 30-23-12 (57.1%), O/U: 30-33 (47.6%)
Holland(PICK) vs. Spain, 2.5 – The Oranje vs La Roja, two nations that have never won a World Cup before. The two top goal scorers in the tournament are represented on each team, Sneijder for the Dutch and David Villa for the Spaniards. It’s everything a soccer fan could ask for and I expect an extremely even match-up. Nobody is going to take any unnecessary risks at this point. Both sides will look to maintain possession while keeping a solid line of defense. There will be scoring opportunities and I foresee each side being able to score once against the other in regulation. But after 90 minutes + stoppage time come to an end, it will be all even. Neither side will be able to capitalize in the overtime period and it will come down to a penalty shootout. The Oracle Octopus is taking Spain, but I’m taking Holland to win their first ever World Cup trophy.The Pick: Draw 1-1, Holland to Win in PK’s
Soccer YTD: ATS 30-23-12 (57.1%), O/U: 30-33 (47.6%)
Holland(PICK) vs. Spain, 2.5 – The Oranje vs La Roja, two nations that have never won a World Cup before. The two top goal scorers in the tournament are represented on each team, Sneijder for the Dutch and David Villa for the Spaniards. It’s everything a soccer fan could ask for and I expect an extremely even match-up. Nobody is going to take any unnecessary risks at this point. Both sides will look to maintain possession while keeping a solid line of defense. There will be scoring opportunities and I foresee each side being able to score once against the other in regulation. But after 90 minutes + stoppage time come to an end, it will be all even. Neither side will be able to capitalize in the overtime period and it will come down to a penalty shootout. The Oracle Octopus is taking Spain, but I’m taking Holland to win their first ever World Cup trophy.The Pick: Draw 1-1, Holland to Win in PK’s
