World Cup Betting

World Cup Betting

At teatime on Saturday evening, after England had spent ninety minutes vainly chasing a talented Brazilian XI around the Doha pitch, it would be fair to say we all got a bit of a reality check about Rooney and Co’s World Cup chances. With the tournament just seven months away, Fabio Capello still has work to do as on the evidence of Saturday’s display, England don’t look much like World Cup finalists to me.

England are clearly a better side than they were when the Italian took the job. Saying that, the qualifying group for South Africa couldn’t have been much more straightforward and you’d have backed even Steve McLaren to get England through a group where the Ukraine were their closest rivals. (more…)

Posted in Football, World Cup

World Cup 2010 - Qualifying Play-Offs

Ireland need to turn around a one goal deficit against France if they are to reach only their second major finals since 1994. A second-half Nicolas Anelka strike was enough to give the French victory in Dublin on Saturday and it means Giovanni Trapattoni’s men must score in the Stade de France.

Six of the last 10 Ireland matches have ended all square and they only managed to score more than once in one World Cup qualifier (a 2-1 win in the opening group game against Georgia). (more…)

Posted in Football, World Cup

Betting Review

Well, we were right to spot that an X-Factor favourite might bite the dust last Saturday - we just didn’t expect it to be the lovely Lucie. Danyl lives to fight another day…

Three wins, a draw and a defeat on our accumulator wasn’t good enough, and the big guns triumphed in the Shanghai golf. Oh well.
 

1pt Bryan Habana to be first try scorer for South Africa (v France) at 4/1

The Springboks have had another sensational year winning the Tri-Nations at a canter and racking up a huge number of points in the process. Whilst the boot of Morne Steyn might have kicked many of the South African points on the way to Tri-Nations success, flying winger Bryan Habana remains the Springboks best chance from open play. (more…)

Posted in Football, Golf, Rugby, Weekly Previews, World Cup

World Cup 2010 - Qualifying Play-Offs

After the exciting end to the regular qualification programme with last gasp qualification secured for the likes of Germany, Argentina, Honduras, Slovakia and Chile, this weekend sees eight European, two Asian and two sides from the Americas compete for six places in South Africa.
 

Europe

The Republic of Ireland finished their qualification campaign unbeaten and it was only the ruthless efficiency of perennial qualifies Italy that thwarted the Irish in their bid to qualify by rights. Giovanni Trappatoni’s team face France in the play-offs and despite the 1998 winners favouritism, I think these ties are more closely matched than many people believe. (more…)

Posted in Football, World Cup

World Cup Betting

It is crunch time in the international arena this week as nerve-racking playoffs will determine the teams that take the final qualifying places for the World Cup Finals next summer.

The Republic of Ireland are 11/5 to qualify ahead of France and I think that is terrific value. Giovanni Trapattoni’s side are unbeaten in qualifying and drew home and away with Italy in their group. Confidence is high and the Irish can see off France who might then finally get round to sacking Raymond Domenech.

Bosnia are 5/1 to qualify at the expense of Portugal which is also terrific value. Whilst they may not have Portugal’s household names they are a much better unit and in Edin Dzeko they have a genuine international class forward. It’s slightly speculative but they could follow neighbours Serbia to South Africa at long odds. (more…)

Posted in Championship, Football, Other Leagues, World Cup