there's no reason to even consider betting until most of the league plays are over...if rooney and lampard get hurt then england to win would be shot. And your boys Donovan/Altidore get hurt then USA would probably not qualify.
the problem with Group G is all 3 teams will pound on North Korea whereas group A doesn't really have the ultra-weak team. Never discount host nations...
As for USA, i really wouldn't discount Slovenia...i'd say they are fundamentally better and taking out Russia has to be a turning point in their nations football team. I do think USA advances and then loses to Germany....but if slovenia sneaks in ahead of them i would be shocked.
80 days....plenty of time to change one's mind.
the problem with Group G is all 3 teams will pound on North Korea whereas group A doesn't really have the ultra-weak team. Never discount host nations...
As for USA, i really wouldn't discount Slovenia...i'd say they are fundamentally better and taking out Russia has to be a turning point in their nations football team. I do think USA advances and then loses to Germany....but if slovenia sneaks in ahead of them i would be shocked.
80 days....plenty of time to change one's mind.
Not even. Holland has the ability to score at will. They put up 3 goals against France and Italy in the Euro. They don't play a ton of defense, but they can get the job done. Any team that can score 3 goals againt the best defensive team in the world (Italy) should be talked about as a legit contender. So that rules out Italy and France who you claim will "squash" the netherlands.
Next, comes Argentina. They play a very wide open, attacking style of football which benefits the Netherlands as well. If i'm not mistaken, they drew the netherlands 0-0 in the 2006 world cup, proving they can play good enough defense to get the job done against the best attacking team in the world. Brazil is a good team of course, but I believe Argentina has overtaken them as top team in South America, thanks to Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez, Javier Mascherano, and Maxi Rodriguez.
It looks to be a very intriguing world cup, and to count the netherlands out is a big mistake.
Honduras will not be a darkhorse, I can't remember who said that. Out of group H, look for Chile to be a dark horse if anyone. And my sleeper team is Uruguay. Look for them to make some noise and come out of group A. Forlan and Suarez provide a VERY dangerous attack up front, with Edison Cavani coming off the bench (they will score alot of goals in this world cup). Christian Rodriguez and Diego Perez provide a scoring threat in the midfield along with Gargano who is a rock in the midfield.
going by the ELO rankings south africa is 81st in the world between Bahrian and Kuwait. So outside of being the host nation they really have no chance of winning their group. Mexico is 8th and U-R-GAY is 16th so not a lot of separation...but mexico have definitely been a better club recently.
I don't think i'd take france at those odds to win ... i am sure it is that high because people will see it at that price and bet it without thinking..you know the non-footy fans that bet World Cup just because it is a big event.
I don't think i'd take france at those odds to win ... i am sure it is that high because people will see it at that price and bet it without thinking..you know the non-footy fans that bet World Cup just because it is a big event.
France has not won their group two world cups in a row now. Also a fun fact, France is winless in their first group match since 1998 (lost 1-0 to senegal and ties switzerland 0-0). My group A predictions go like this
1. Uruguay (i see them surprising a few ppl)
2. France
3. Mexico
4. South Africa
Never underestimate the hosting World Cup side. Just a stat - in the last 18 world cups, the hosting side's record in their first game is 14-0-5 (2002 had 2 hosts to make it 19). FIFA rankings are irrelevant when the games start.
Breaking Group A down:
- France has been suspect of late, but Domenech has a gun to his head to advance. I can't see them not advancing.
- As stated SA will be tough to beat and didn't look great in the Confederations Cup. They'll get results with the home crowd.
- I'm not buying the Mexico hype. This group is miles tougher than their last world cup group in 2006.
- Uruguay has a few great players, but their defense always manages to choke.
1. France
2. South Africa
3. Mexico
4. Uruguay
Can't wait till June. A month solid of futbol every day
:toast:
Breaking Group A down:
- France has been suspect of late, but Domenech has a gun to his head to advance. I can't see them not advancing.
- As stated SA will be tough to beat and didn't look great in the Confederations Cup. They'll get results with the home crowd.
- I'm not buying the Mexico hype. This group is miles tougher than their last world cup group in 2006.
- Uruguay has a few great players, but their defense always manages to choke.
1. France
2. South Africa
3. Mexico
4. Uruguay
Can't wait till June. A month solid of futbol every day
:toast:
sure, the hosting team has a big +, but dont put all your eggs in that basket man, its still about the quality on the field, and SA just doesnt have that quality to advance. first match i agree with you, they usually come out great, so i would take them +0.5 anytime, but just on the first game!
love tourneys like this, really can get a feel of a team in it, play accordingly! going to make many props bets, like who gets more yellow cards/offsides etc.
gl boys!
love tourneys like this, really can get a feel of a team in it, play accordingly! going to make many props bets, like who gets more yellow cards/offsides etc.
gl boys!
South Africa is the worst host team to have ever hosted the world cup, which is why that is a completely useless fact. You can't even compare South Africa to the teams that have hosted in the past. Look at the teams that recently have hosted the world cup, and try and compare them to south africa:
1930 - Uruguay (one of the top teams in the world at the time, winning the world cup in 1930 and 1950)
1934 - Italy (enough said)
1938 - France (enough said)
1950 - Brazil (enough said)
1954 - Switzerland (had been a part of every previous world cup except the inagural in 1930, advancing past the first round in 1934, 1938 and 1954)
1958 - Sweden (enough said)
1962 - Chile (one of the powerhouses in south america at the time)
1966 - England (enough said)
1970 - Mexico (enough said)
1974 - West Germany (enough said)
1978 - Argentina (enough said)
1982 - Spain (enough said)
1986 - Mexico (enough said)
1990 - Italy (enough said)
1994 - USA (enough said)
1998 - France (enough said)
2002 - Japan & South Korea (asias two best teams here, where as south africa isnt even a top 10 team in africa)
2006 - Germany (enough said)
South Africa has only been a part of two world cups, failing to make it past the group stage in both. They are the host nation, and indeed the host nations have had success in the past. But South Africa is not a good team, plain and simple. Now if you think other teams will lay down for them and let them advance, well i dont need to tell you how wrong you are. South Africa will not advance, and don't underestimate this uruguay side. Look for them to advance along with France out of group A
1930 - Uruguay (one of the top teams in the world at the time, winning the world cup in 1930 and 1950)
1934 - Italy (enough said)
1938 - France (enough said)
1950 - Brazil (enough said)
1954 - Switzerland (had been a part of every previous world cup except the inagural in 1930, advancing past the first round in 1934, 1938 and 1954)
1958 - Sweden (enough said)
1962 - Chile (one of the powerhouses in south america at the time)
1966 - England (enough said)
1970 - Mexico (enough said)
1974 - West Germany (enough said)
1978 - Argentina (enough said)
1982 - Spain (enough said)
1986 - Mexico (enough said)
1990 - Italy (enough said)
1994 - USA (enough said)
1998 - France (enough said)
2002 - Japan & South Korea (asias two best teams here, where as south africa isnt even a top 10 team in africa)
2006 - Germany (enough said)
South Africa has only been a part of two world cups, failing to make it past the group stage in both. They are the host nation, and indeed the host nations have had success in the past. But South Africa is not a good team, plain and simple. Now if you think other teams will lay down for them and let them advance, well i dont need to tell you how wrong you are. South Africa will not advance, and don't underestimate this uruguay side. Look for them to advance along with France out of group A
agreed..south africa are painful to watch...they will lose all 3 games and be forgotten..will actually be suprised if they even score...actually already made bets on uruguay and mexico to win this group...i have no faith in the french...watching the ego's of anelka and henry get in the way of each other is not my idea of winning soccer.....cheers
Anelka and Henry have no chemistry. It seems, like you said, as if they are competing with eachother. The best chance they have to win would be to start Benzema IMO. I put money on uruguay to advance as well as mexico. I don't care how much pressure is on Domenech, they will have a tough tima advancing, as they don't match up well with mexico or uruguay
You claim since SA didn't do well in '98 or '02 they will do the same while hosting the WORLD CUP? This team narrowly lost to Brazil and Spain in the Confederations Cup. You think Mexico and Uruguay will wipe the floor with them?? Come on dude Mexico can barely beat North Korea in Mexico. Yea I root for Uruguay and think Forlan/Cebolla are good but their defense folds against the big boys.
LOL Benzema can't get a minute in Spain :lolBIG:
First of all, the confederations cup is the most overrated international tournament. The teams and players don't care nearly as much as they do in the more high profile international tournament.
Secondly, "Mexico can barely beat North Korea in Mexico." You know what barely means? It means they won the game. How do you barely win a game in soccer? I can see how u barely win in football, but soccer, no, dumb point. Oh ya and that was a FRIENDLY!!!! WHO THE FUCK CARES ABOUT A FRIENDLY!!! The teams arent even starting their full squads. You make yourself look dumb when you bring up useless shit like that.
Thirdly, the combo up front is Forlan and Luis Suarez. Maybe you have heard of them. Not Forlan and Cerbolla. And there defense is very different this time around, and they are sporting a faster, younger look at the back. I guarentee you can not name one Uruguay defender (ya sure, go look some up now before you reply). There defense is not facing the most prolific of strikers either. Henry and Anelka have absolutely no chemistry, and well, South Africa is a joke.
Lastly, Benzema is a very good striker, I don't see how u laugh when i mention him. "Benzema can't even log any minutes in spain," well its not like he plays on Real Madrid, a team that has players like Raul and Van Der Vaart riding the bench. And Real sport a one striker formation due to their depth at midfield. And Higuian is clearly the better option up front. He is an excellent young striker, and would start over henry or anelka.
And at the same time, why don't you do some research before you say something like that. Benzema has 19 games and 7 goals in spain this year. So i dont see how he isnt getting any minutes, but ok. Why don't we look an Henry's numbers this year. 15 games and 3 goals. Gee I wonder who has logged more minutes and more goals? BENZEMA. Now do some research before you start talking shit
Benzema is by far one my favorite strikers. I love how he attacks the defense with his passes and tough shots on goal. Cant wait for the World Cup. I remember 4 years back saying damn I have to wait 4 years until I get to experience something like this... If this 2012 shit is true, this will be our last. It should be special.
Love Benzema. I think he is by far the best option up front for the French. Henry is quickly declining, and Anelka gets pushed around too easy. Benzema is a great striker and always seems to come up with some big goals. He keeps the pressure up on opposing defenses and piles up the chances. Forget 2012 haha. Here's to a great world cup, AND MANY MORE TO COME LOL
my memory is a little cloudy but to me south korea was suppose to lose all 3 games when they were a co-host too. Their world ranking with much higher but in a group with USA, Portugal and Poland I don't remember people giving them much chances. But South Africa does remind me of Austria in the Euro's and a poorly ranked host nation that got knocked out by croatia and germany.
Maybe poor examples and i do think african teams will do well in the cup..i wouldn't be shocked in SA makes it to the next stage but i don't think so.
Maybe poor examples and i do think african teams will do well in the cup..i wouldn't be shocked in SA makes it to the next stage but i don't think so.
Dude Mexico had their World Cup roster to take on NK and only won 2-1 in Mexico, and they just drew to Iceland 0-0. If you know soccer, one should know these friendlies leading up to June are somewhat important, but of course that's up to interpretation.
Suarez is very good, I am level headed enough to admit that. I know Lugano the centerback is completely over the hill tho and will be there. And if you knew who Cebolla was (without looking him up) you'd know he's their best player.
Comparing Henry to Benzema is blasphemy, I didn't do that. Barca didn't shell out 41M for a promising young striker... There's constant rumors of Florentina trying to offload him because he's a bust.
We could go back and forth like this forever till June
Definetly do not want a back and forth until June, but I would just like to say, that yes the friendlys leading up to June are importannt for the managers to see what they have to work with, and to build chemistry, but the players are not going all out like they would be in a world cup match. And to argue that is pointless.Dude Mexico had their World Cup roster to take on NK and only won 2-1 in Mexico, and they just drew to Iceland 0-0. If you know soccer, one should know these friendlies leading up to June are somewhat important, but of course that's up to interpretation.
Suarez is very good, I am level headed enough to admit that. I know Lugano the centerback is completely over the hill tho and will be there. And if you knew who Cebolla was (without looking him up) you'd know he's their best player.
Comparing Henry to Benzema is blasphemy, I didn't do that. Barca didn't shell out 41M for a promising young striker... There's constant rumors of Florentina trying to offload him because he's a bust.
We could go back and forth like this forever till June
In regards to Cebolla (Christian Rodriguez) of course know who he is, but he is also a midfielder, not a striker. With him and Eguarin (Villereal) feeding the ball to Forlan and Suarez, I dont see how they dont put up a goal or 2 a game. As for their defense, Diego Godin, Maxi Perreria, Jorge Fucile, and Diego Lugano (who u said was over the hill at 29 years old) will be the back 4. The other 3 are all 25 or younger. They should have a very good team, and I can not see them not advancing.
As for the Benzema debate, I'm done with that. I think he is the best striker in that entire group, and France would have to be nuts not to start him over that cheater Henry and the short, bald Anelka
this will be onto page 15 before the world cup begins....and although i'm contributing a bit to it...is the reason i don't get too pumped for this cup. Too many hockey fans all of the sudden ask me about soccer....not criticizing this forum or thread just a general observation around other forums and in my own real life....
i will say mexico drawing to iceland is rather meaningless since world class superstar (and Arsenal player) Vela wasn't there. But seriously neither was Blanco, Bravo etc etc etc....
Mexico has 8 friendlies before the WC..including England, Portugal, Italy, Netherlands... i don't think they cared very much about Iceland or DPR Korea. tell me how mexico is doing after the italy match June 3rd.
i will say mexico drawing to iceland is rather meaningless since world class superstar (and Arsenal player
) Vela wasn't there. But seriously neither was Blanco, Bravo etc etc etc....Mexico has 8 friendlies before the WC..including England, Portugal, Italy, Netherlands... i don't think they cared very much about Iceland or DPR Korea. tell me how mexico is doing after the italy match June 3rd.
