The final games of the groups are here and whilst some teams are extending hotel and flight reservations, others will be packing their bags, already assured of their elimination from Brazil 2014. Sadly – though not wholly unexpectedly – England are in the latter camp after consecutive 2-1 defeats to Italy and Uruguay. Can they salvage anything from this World Cup? We take a look at their final match against Costa Rica and four others as we attempt to nail some betting tips so we can at least say the World Cup was profitable!
Monday 23rd June 2014
Australia v Spain (17:00) – Both teams to score and draw (5/2 with Bet365)
We’re starting with a bang and opting for a tip at really tasty odds and, whilst it may not come off, we’re more than happy the odds offer exceptional value. Australia have over-performed and Spain have done the opposite and a draw would be enough to see the Aussies finish above the defending champions. Australia have lost 3-2 and 3-1 and even without Tim Cahill, who is suspended, they will have enough to score against a shell-shocked Spain. We can’t see them holding on for the win but we fancy they can claim the draw, with 1-1 or 2-2 our correct score predictions. Spain may experiment and bring some younger players in but they just don’t seem to have the energy or conviction to play their usual game and Diego Costa looks short of match fitness up front.
Netherlands v Chile (17:00) – Chile to win (2/1 with Coral)
Chile were priced at 5/2 just after beating Spain and we fancied them then and still fancy them now, even at much shorter odds of 9/5 with Sky Bet. They have looked really impressive: united, super-fit, well organised and with genuine world class ability in Barcelona’s Alexis Sanchez and Juventus’s Arturo Vidal. Netherlands were impressive too, of course, in hammering Spain 5-1, but then didn’t look so good against Australia and we feel that Chile can get the better of them here. Netherlands will be without Robin van Persie, who is suspended, and although the Dutch need just a draw to top the group and avoid – almost certainly – Brazil in the next round, our betting tip here is for Chile to deny them.
Cameroon v Brazil (21:00) – Brazil to win both halves (4/5 with Bet365)
Brazil haven’t really sparked at this World Cup… yet. However, we feel that is set to change here as they play a hapless Cameroon in the capital Brasilia. The West African side are yet to score a goal at this World Cup and we think that run will continue here, especially as they will be without their star striker Samuel Eto’o who is injured. Brazil are in pole position to top the group but at times they have looked a little off the pace, bulky striker Fred in particular, and it will be interesting to see how long Phil Scolari sticks with the Fluminese forward. However, with attacking midfielders like Neymar and Oscar, Brazil will still cut through Cameroon and we fancy the host nation to finally come to life and record an easy win, with 3-0 the most likely score after a fast start in a match that sees them win both halves, which is our main betting tip here.
Tuesday 24th June 2014
Costa Rica v England (17:00) – Over 2.5 goals (10/11 with Coral)
England are out of the World Cup whilst Costa Rica have made the second round and need just a point here to be certain of topping the group. The performances of the minnows and group underdogs have been one of the highlights of the World Cup so far. They are unlikely to let up against an England side whose morale has been decimated and which could feature some changes if manager Roy Hodgson opts to give some of the younger players some tournament experience. As such we’re tempted by the Costa Rica win which looks great value at odds of 10/3 with Coral but instead we’ll play it slightly safer and back over 2.5 goals instead.
England’s defence is poor and having conceded two in both games so far we don’t fancy them to do much better here. Conversely, playing without pressure – there is only pride at stake – we think they may be better in the final third and so fancy this could be an entertaining game with plenty of goals. Three or more looks a real steal at 10/11 with Coral so get involved.
Ivory Coast v Greece (21:00) – Ivory Coast to win (11/10 with BetVictor)
Greece have struggled at the World Cup so far and are all-but out whilst Ivory Coast will qualify with a draw here unless Japan upset Colombia. Ivory Coast have a strong spine with the Toure brothers and Didier Drogba, although Yaya and Kolo will be mourning their brother Ibrahim who died suddenly just a few days ago at the age of 28. How that affects them remains to be seen but they look set to play and their side should have too much pace, power and dynamism for a Greece outfit that is yet to trouble the scorers here in Brazil. Odds the right side of evens for the Africans to do the business were a pleasant surprise and are well worth snapping up with many firms already odds-on.