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WC 2014 Brasil; Starts June 12th 2014

  • 06-12-2013 6:48pm
    #1
    Registered Users Posts: 6,018 ✭✭✭


    Well the draw has been made and one thing I will take from it is how good a group the Argies have landed. Iran, Bosnia and Nigeria stand in their way.

    Taking this into account I'm gonna have to take Messi for top scorer at 11/1 (Boyles) He could easily rack up an impressive tally against said teams whereas his nearest rivals in the market - Ronaldo, Neymar, Suarez and V.Persie all have much tougher groups to overcome.

    Looking at the long shots I like the look of Negredo at 40/1 (Lads) although I have to admit I'm not too sure how Spain will line out with Costa also in the squad. Hopefully someone could help me with that.

    In the outright market it's between Brazil, Germany and Argentina for me. This is Messi' prime world cup and he really could light up the tournament. I'm siding towards Brazil ATM but won't be having a bet in either market for a while.

    What's everyone else's fancies?


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Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,862 ✭✭✭✭inforfun


    Alright

    For those who cant help themselves and want to put their thoughts and bets for the WC now already....

    Go ahead :D

    FIFA-World-Cup-2014-New-hd-wallpaper.jpg


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,106 ✭✭✭markc91


    Sticking a tenner a week on Brazil since October until it starts. So will be fully behind them :D


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 33,506 CMod ✭✭✭✭ShamoBuc


    Messi top goal scorer.

    Suarez to score against England.

    England 0 Italy 1

    Netherlands to get a red card v Spain.

    USA to get out of their group at the expense of Portugal.


    ...that will do for now, I do think I'll be backing the above when it comes around.

    This thread should be a good read in the lead up and during the competition.


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,018 ✭✭✭TheMilkyPirate


    I opened a World cup thread yesterday, What's the need for this one?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,862 ✭✭✭✭inforfun


    I opened a World cup thread yesterday, What's the need for this one?
    None whatsoever.
    Missed yours last night.... :o

    Threads merged.


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  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 447 ✭✭Pen.Island


    I can't waiiiiiiiit. Although this is my first year I'll be working during the summer :( Sucks!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,106 ✭✭✭markc91


    Pen.Island wrote: »
    I can't waiiiiiiiit. Although this is my first year I'll be working during the summer :( Sucks!!
    Ah you might get lucky if your working 9-5 :P


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 447 ✭✭Pen.Island


    markc91 wrote: »
    Ah you might get lucky if your working 9-5 :P

    I know :P But for every sporting event (in the summer) I'd watch them all day and night :P Working life sucks :P


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,435 ✭✭✭Austria!


    After his display today Barkey to make the England squad @3 with Will Hill is calling to me with it's beautiful siren song. If you can win MOTM away to Arsenal, you can get on a plane to Brazil.

    Everton seem to be doing well this year and there is a huge bias towards players playing in the top teams. He's young, and so only going to get better as the season progresses I think. On the usually reliable F365 world cup ladder he's 22, and on oddschecker there's only 23 players shorter odds than him and 4 of those are keepers.

    I have now talked myself into rebacking this.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,106 ✭✭✭markc91


    Austria! wrote: »
    After his display today Barkey to make the England squad @3 with Will Hill is calling to me with it's beautiful siren song. If you can win MOTM away to Arsenal, you can get on a plane to Brazil.
    Especially when your up against Cleverly


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,783 ✭✭✭P.Walnuts


    Austria! wrote: »
    After his display today Barkey to make the England squad @3 with Will Hill is calling to me with it's beautiful siren song. If you can win MOTM away to Arsenal, you can get on a plane to Brazil.

    Everton seem to be doing well this year and there is a huge bias towards players playing in the top teams. He's young, and so only going to get better as the season progresses I think. On the usually reliable F365 world cup ladder he's 22, and on oddschecker there's only 23 players shorter odds than him and 4 of those are keepers.

    I have now talked myself into rebacking this.

    Is there any injury insurance on these kind of bets?


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,152 ✭✭✭PEACEBROTHER


    As of right now
    If hodgson takes Cleverly over Barkley he would be slaughtered
    Barkley is 3 times the player Cleverly is
    Pace , Power , Skill ,

    Only thing Barkley needs to do is work on the end product ( shot or killer pass)
    This will come with time and I can see him becoming an exceptional player


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,739 ✭✭✭ASOT


    Henderson 3/1 at the moment to be brought to the WC, with the way pool are playing at the moment that seems overpriced.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,435 ✭✭✭Austria!


    ASOT wrote: »
    Henderson 3/1 at the moment to be brought to the WC, with the way pool are playing at the moment that seems overpriced.

    @6 with will hill and betvic

    Was on it already. In a 23 man squad versatility counts, and he can play in a few positions.

    Am keeping an eye on A. Carrol too


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,690 ✭✭✭Mokuba


    Columbia, Chile and Uruguay all look pretty decent shots in my view.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,378 ✭✭✭BuilderPlumber


    The winner of 2014 World Cup surely has got to be one of these: Spain, Germany, Brazil, Argentina, Italy, Holland, Portugal or France.

    France probably least likely but would never rule them out either. I'd kind of go for either Argentina, Italy, Spain, Germany or Brazil. Reason? Argentina have Messi, Italy have more or less consistently been won, been in the final or in the top four in most world and European cups (2010 being a rare exception), ditto for Germany, and Brazil are playing on home ground. Of course, you can't rule out Spain. I said in 2012 that they'd hardly win that one because they had won the previous European cup and the previous world cup, but they are a very capable team and the best I have ever seen in recent times.

    I did not like the recent Holland team at all. They were defensive and dirty and lacked the great excitement of the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s Dutch teams that earned the country's team as the Brazil of Europe. I would love to see an old style Dutch team win the world cup.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,378 ✭✭✭BuilderPlumber


    I recently read that there are plans to expand the world cup finals from 32 to 40 teams. In my previous post, I listed that the winning team will be most likely one of Spain, Germany, Brazil, Italy, France, Argentina, Holland or Portugal. Perhaps there are others: Russia, Turkey, Czech Republic, England, Sweden, Croatia, Greece and Denmark all had decent outfits in the past and one of these could spring a surprise. However, you notice that they are all either European or South American!! Russia and Turkey theoretically span two continents but most of their teams come from clubs based in Moscow, St Petersburg and Istanbul.

    Are there any real chance of a non-European or South American team winning? Probably not for the moment as the status quo of soccer is so strong. But I have a feeling we will be seeing more and more top notch African sides. Ever since 1990's Cameroon team, we have seen some great African sides. Ghana in 2010 were particularly sensational. Could this side have won the world cup if things went their way? Definitely.

    Asia has also seen some glimpses of greatness. Japan and South Korea had good outfits in recent years. I would like to see Iran win the world cup as it would mean a lot for democracy and confidence among the Iranian people. They have had some good outfits that did very well in the Asian cup but have never done well yet at world cup finals. It would be good to see Iran become the surprise package this time around akin to Turkey in the early 2000s. Saudi Arabia and Iraq also had some teams in the world cup but did not do well there either. China seems to occasionally qualify but make no impact. However, there are many other Asian countries that do not seem to have any serious soccer background: I don't ever remember say India, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia or Indonesia feature in the world cup for example.

    Then, Australia and New Zealand are 100% rugby focused nations. I remember both play in one world cup but they did not do well. North America: Mexico and USA have done ok in some world cups. Good solid teams but never a serious threat to the status quo. Canada is another country I don't ever remember in the world cup?

    Most South American teams have at some stage participated. Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Paraguay and Chile have all given us solid outfits but none ever looked like being serious rivals for the two biggies Brazil and Argentina. Uruguay actually was a world cup winner but never in recent times. The Caribbean nations, Guyana and Surinam have never featured I don't think?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 691 ✭✭✭baddebt


    The winner of 2014 World Cup surely has got to be one of these: Spain, Germany, Brazil, Argentina, Italy, Holland, Portugal or France.

    .
    I can only see 1 of 3 teams with any chance of winning the WC
    Brazil
    Spain
    Uruguay. 28/1 an each way bet is well worth it.

    Germany , Achillies heel is defending , their terrible at the back

    Argentina Have the players , but they don't have a team spirit all the ego's are too interested in gunning for their own individual glory ...............if they put there ego's aside and rally around Messi , that would win it no doubt about it.

    Dark horse will be Portugal , as it looks like the whole team want to rally around Ronaldo (just like Argentina done with Maradona in 86.). worth an each way bet


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,862 ✭✭✭✭inforfun


    Uruguay?
    Get real. 5th in the S-Americans qualifiers. If Brazil werent the hosts and had to qualify, Uruguay would have been watching tv this summer.



    1 bet that will probably stay the same value for now is: Of which continent will be the winner from: Have to get on South America there.
    Common knowledge no European country have even won the WC in S-America and it will not happen this time either i reckon.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,378 ✭✭✭BuilderPlumber


    inforfun wrote: »
    Uruguay?
    Get real. 5th in the S-Americans qualifiers. If Brazil werent the hosts and had to qualify, Uruguay would have been watching tv this summer.



    1 bet that will probably stay the same value for now is: Of which continent will be the winner from: Have to get on South America there.
    Common knowledge no European country have even won the WC in S-America and it will not happen this time either i reckon.

    Brazil or Argentina will win it so.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,407 ✭✭✭✭Collie D


    I recently read that there are plans to expand the world cup finals from 32 to 40 teams. In my previous post, I listed that the winning team will be most likely one of Spain, Germany, Brazil, Italy, France, Argentina, Holland or Portugal. Perhaps there are others: Russia, Turkey, Czech Republic, England, Sweden, Croatia, Greece and Denmark all had decent outfits in the past and one of these could spring a surprise. However, you notice that they are all either European or South American!! Russia and Turkey theoretically span two continents but most of their teams come from clubs based in Moscow, St Petersburg and Istanbul.

    Are there any real chance of a non-European or South American team winning? Probably not for the moment as the status quo of soccer is so strong. But I have a feeling we will be seeing more and more top notch African sides. Ever since 1990's Cameroon team, we have seen some great African sides. Ghana in 2010 were particularly sensational. Could this side have won the world cup if things went their way? Definitely.

    Asia has also seen some glimpses of greatness. Japan and South Korea had good outfits in recent years. I would like to see Iran win the world cup as it would mean a lot for democracy and confidence among the Iranian people. They have had some good outfits that did very well in the Asian cup but have never done well yet at world cup finals. It would be good to see Iran become the surprise package this time around akin to Turkey in the early 2000s. Saudi Arabia and Iraq also had some teams in the world cup but did not do well there either. China seems to occasionally qualify but make no impact. However, there are many other Asian countries that do not seem to have any serious soccer background: I don't ever remember say India, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia or Indonesia feature in the world cup for example.

    Then, Australia and New Zealand are 100% rugby focused nations. I remember both play in one world cup but they did not do well. North America: Mexico and USA have done ok in some world cups. Good solid teams but never a serious threat to the status quo. Canada is another country I don't ever remember in the world cup?

    Most South American teams have at some stage participated. Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Paraguay and Chile have all given us solid outfits but none ever looked like being serious rivals for the two biggies Brazil and Argentina. Uruguay actually was a world cup winner but never in recent times. The Caribbean nations, Guyana and Surinam have never featured I don't think?

    Is that you, Pele?


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 447 ✭✭Pen.Island


    No chance for Uruguay. Have they still got the OAP partnership in ddefence?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,378 ✭✭✭BuilderPlumber


    Pen.Island wrote: »
    No chance for Uruguay. Have they still got the OAP partnership in ddefence?

    I cannot see Uruguay winning it either but they do appear to be a good solid team. It is surprising too how highly ranked Colombia are (only Spain, Germany and Argentina are ranked ahead of them!). Again, I can't see them win it but it would be great to see a surprise package like this make the top four anyway. Their ranking make them the 4th best team in the world at the moment.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,378 ✭✭✭BuilderPlumber


    It is rather scary how low Ireland are ranked at present. 67th. I don't remember Finland, Israel, Libya, Burkina Faso, Iceland or Wales ever make any headway in the world cup finals (can't even remember any of these in them?) but all are placed ahead of Ireland at present!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,378 ✭✭✭BuilderPlumber


    baddebt wrote: »
    I can only see 1 of 3 teams with any chance of winning the WC
    Brazil
    Spain
    Uruguay. 28/1 an each way bet is well worth it.

    Germany , Achillies heel is defending , their terrible at the back

    Argentina Have the players , but they don't have a team spirit all the ego's are too interested in gunning for their own individual glory ...............if they put there ego's aside and rally around Messi , that would win it no doubt about it.

    Dark horse will be Portugal , as it looks like the whole team want to rally around Ronaldo (just like Argentina done with Maradona in 86.). worth an each way bet

    Portugal are one of the great underachievers at the world cup. They have given us top notch teams with some of the greatest footballers (Eusabio, Figo, Ronaldo) and have often featured in the top 4 or 8. But they have been unlucky (up against the likes of the best teams that Brazil, Germany, Spain and France have had).

    The world cup winners club is made up of three South American teams (Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay) along with five European sides (England, France, Germany, Italy, Spain). Assuming none of these were to win, I wonder who the winner of the world cup would be?

    Portugal and Holland automatically come to mind. And Colombia are so highly rated.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 981 ✭✭✭Stojkovic


    Brasil or Germany will win it.
    They should meet in SF.

    Argies outside bet.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,378 ✭✭✭BuilderPlumber


    Stojkovic wrote: »
    Brasil or Germany will win it.
    They should meet in SF.

    Argies outside bet.

    And I'd put Spain in there too as another possible. The ones you mention and Spain are what I'd predict somehow as possible winners.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 981 ✭✭✭Stojkovic


    Spain are probably slightly past it and dont think they'll get past the semis.

    They need another year or two to replace a few ageing bodies. Plus most have hardly had a decent break in 5 years.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,378 ✭✭✭BuilderPlumber


    Stojkovic wrote: »
    Spain are probably slightly past it and dont think they'll get past the semis.

    They need another year or two to replace a few ageing bodies. Plus most have hardly had a decent break in 5 years.

    Of course, I have seen pre-tournament favourites fall apart completely. For example, I remember France at the 2002 world cup: hot favourites before the tournament and they failed to make it out of their group. And yes, they had Henry and Zidane at their best at the time (they easily won the previous world and European cups and would go on to do well in 2006 ending up in that championship's infamous final: France was easily the best team in the world at the time). But, for some reason or another, things didn't work out well for them. In 2010, Italy (WC winners in 2006 and in the finals of 2012 Euro cup) had a similar experience. Bearing this in mind, anything can happen. Spain are bound to have many players past their prime but all said and done, I'd say they will make the final four if they don't get jinxed.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,035 ✭✭✭Wild_Dogger


    true .. France didn't even score a goal in that world cup


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 559 ✭✭✭DB74


    inforfun wrote: »
    Uruguay?
    Get real. 5th in the S-Americans qualifiers. If Brazil werent the hosts and had to qualify, Uruguay would have been watching tv this summer.



    1 bet that will probably stay the same value for now is: Of which continent will be the winner from: Have to get on South America there.
    Common knowledge no European country have even won the WC in S-America and it will not happen this time either i reckon.

    Uruguay only finished 5th in the qualifiers for the 2010 WC and made the semi-finals

    I take your point about if Brazil were there but qualification means nothing when it comes to the tournament itself

    Look at Holland, top scorers and 9 wins from 10 when qualifying for EURO-2012 and then went out in the group stages losing all 3 games and scoring just 2 goals

    Also if you really don't fancy Uruguay then you are better off dutching the other 5 CONMEBOL teams as you will get slightly better odds than just taking the continent as a whole.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,377 ✭✭✭Smithwicks Man


    Lads Walcott is out for a long time apparently and will surely miss the WC.

    Ashley Young has shortened greatly to travel to Brazil on B365 and PP but is still 7/1 with William Hill, (5/2 on 365 and 9/4 on PP)

    Worth a bet imo and it will shorten soon.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,435 ✭✭✭Austria!


    I don't think Young has a hope. There's townsend, lennon, lalanna, milner all ahead of him.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,435 ✭✭✭Austria!


    DB74 wrote: »
    Uruguay only finished 5th in the qualifiers for the 2010 WC and made the semi-finals

    Look at Holland, top scorers and 9 wins from 10 when qualifying for EURO-2012 and then went out in the group stages losing all 3 games and scoring just 2 goals

    You can always pick out the odd case, but Uruguay got past korea and then had to cheat Ghana last world cup.

    Holland were in a very difficult group, Denmark was the only game you'd expect them to win.

    Personally I think Uruguay won't even get out of the group and have backed it @ 2.75


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 559 ✭✭✭DB74


    Good point about Korea & Ghana - they rode their luck alright

    I don't expect them to win it or anything, mainly due to their aging defence as someone else posted above but I think they will get out of the group alright. The fact that it's in Brazil will help them I think.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 6,293 ✭✭✭Dio On The Doubles


    Looking at the layout of the group games something tells me there is a huge chance of an England corners bet to be had in the Costa Rica game. They will have just played Italy in massive humidity and then Uruguay. I look forward to a corner fest in the Costa Rica match as they scramble to get out of the group :pac:

    Personally I think it's gonna be a Brazil win overall. they are shaping up so well and have gotten rid of the defensive errors that brought in the WDW and BTTS bets in the earlier stages of the Confederations. Home factor will be huge for them with the crowd behind them.

    Costa to score an OG in the final too :eek: :pac:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,378 ✭✭✭BuilderPlumber


    Looking at the layout of the group games something tells me there is a huge chance of an England corners bet to be had in the Costa Rica game. They will have just played Italy in massive humidity and then Uruguay. I look forward to a corner fest in the Costa Rica match as they scramble to get out of the group :pac:

    Personally I think it's gonna be a Brazil win overall. they are shaping up so well and have gotten rid of the defensive errors that brought in the WDW and BTTS bets in the earlier stages of the Confederations. Home factor will be huge for them with the crowd behind them.

    Costa to score an OG in the final too :eek: :pac:

    Brazil on average tend to win the world cup every few times. They are due a win. 2002 was their last win. The fact it is played in Brazil gives them home advantage too and they are in their natural conditions.

    I would not be surprised if Brazil win this one. They have a very decent team at the moment and it is clear they want to give Brazilians a double celebration: that the WC is played in Brazil and won by them too.

    The record is on their side too. Any time the World Cup was played in Latin America, it was won by either Brazil, Argentina or Uruguay.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,378 ✭✭✭BuilderPlumber


    Brazil, Spain, Italy, France, Argentina, Germany, Russia and Colombia look set to top their groups. England, Portugal and Holland should also come out of the group stages. After that, it is open to anyone.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,435 ✭✭✭Austria!


    Brazil, Spain, Italy, France, Argentina, Germany, Russia and Colombia look set to top their groups. England, Portugal and Holland should also come out of the group stages. After that, it is open to anyone.

    Well looks like you found your bet of the tournament. 3.5 at Ladbrooks

    Wouldn't recommend it myself.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 981 ✭✭✭Stojkovic


    The record is on their side too. Any time the World Cup was played in Latin America, it was won by either Brazil, Argentina or Uruguay.
    The last time it was played in South America it was in Black & White (almost).

    The World has changed immeasurably since then.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 34,436 ✭✭✭✭The_Kew_Tour


    Anybody fancy any outsiders to get to SF or beyond.

    I quite liked the look of Chile I have to say, but draw is very tough now.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,378 ✭✭✭BuilderPlumber


    Anybody fancy any outsiders to get to SF or beyond.

    I quite liked the look of Chile I have to say, but draw is very tough now.

    Chile could well get there and Colombia. I would not be surprised to see a few more quality South American teams keeping Brazil and Argentina company.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 34,436 ✭✭✭✭The_Kew_Tour


    Chile could well get there and Colombia. I would not be surprised to see a few more quality South American teams keeping Brazil and Argentina company.

    Was very impressed with Chile against England. Only seen them 3 times over year so not seen enough, but every time they impressed me.

    I agree think South American teams might be way to go.


  • Registered Users Posts: 370 ✭✭Skippy44


    I really cannot wait for this :D. All the world's best players will be there, bar Zlatan (pity), Lewandowski and a few others I'm sure I've forgotten..Bets wise I'll be having a few quid on Japan and B & H on the exchanges at big prices, lay when/if they reach the last 32/16. I think they are capable of progressing beyond the group stages. If Brazil are to win it then Fred Imo seems to be the no9 and 25/1 or so seems fairish. I wouldn't back Messi as top goalscorer but player of the tournament might be a better bet. With France's midfield 3 of Matuidi-Pogba-Cabaye I think they have a serious chance of rewriting the history books @ 20/1 or better. Pogba is improving at an alarming rate, God knows what he'll be like in 6 months:confused:.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 531 ✭✭✭SheldonC17


    Dzeko top scorer at the World Cup. Worth a few quid each way at 100/1with his current form, Bosnias easy group and him being their leading marksman by quite some distance. International record is also good at 33 in 58.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,553 ✭✭✭✭Copper_pipe


    SheldonC17 wrote: »
    Dzeko top scorer at the World Cup. Worth a few quid each way at 100/1with his current form, Bosnias easy group and him being their leading marksman by quite some distance. International record is also good at 33 in 58.

    He's 150/1 with ladbrokes


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,378 ✭✭✭BuilderPlumber


    SheldonC17 wrote: »
    Dzeko top scorer at the World Cup. Worth a few quid each way at 100/1with his current form, Bosnias easy group and him being their leading marksman by quite some distance. International record is also good at 33 in 58.

    It would be good to seem some surprise teams do very well. The former Yugoslavia have had some excellent teams in the past who got into the top 4. Croatia in 1998 is a major example.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,378 ✭✭✭BuilderPlumber


    Skippy44 wrote: »
    I really cannot wait for this :D. All the world's best players will be there, bar Zlatan (pity), Lewandowski and a few others I'm sure I've forgotten..Bets wise I'll be having a few quid on Japan and B & H on the exchanges at big prices, lay when/if they reach the last 32/16. I think they are capable of progressing beyond the group stages. If Brazil are to win it then Fred Imo seems to be the no9 and 25/1 or so seems fairish. I wouldn't back Messi as top goalscorer but player of the tournament might be a better bet. With France's midfield 3 of Matuidi-Pogba-Cabaye I think they have a serious chance of rewriting the history books @ 20/1 or better. Pogba is improving at an alarming rate, God knows what he'll be like in 6 months:confused:.

    I'd expect both Brazil and Argentina to do very well. They could well win it and will make top 4 anyway. Messi will obviously be close to top goalscorer or player of the tournament (he often is unselfish with scoring and can make goals happen as well as score them himself).

    France seem to have a good team too and have the potential to go all the way. Spain are surely going to make a serious attempt to defend the trophy and - while maybe older than the team that won it 4 years ago and the EC two years ago - they are not a team to write off. They more than likely will be top 4. And Germany and Italy will be vying for attention too. Holland, England, Portugal are also teams we cannot rule out. It depends on how well their players perform. Outside surprises include Colombia, Chile, Uruguay, some of the African sides and maybe some total outsider.

    World cups can be notorious with regard to upsets. For example:

    1986 and 1990: Brazil performed relatively poorly.
    1990: While not a complete surprise (as they were one of the top teams of that year), West Germany were not expected to defeat Argentina by many. To me, it felt more 50/50 as both teams were very strong.
    1998: This championship was all about France and Brazil. Yes, the final featured both and yes, either side could win. It was anyone's game. However, no one would have guessed a 3 0 to France. I remember having beer in the fridge for the 90 minutes and extra time and had a brandy bottle ready for the penalties!
    2002: Early exits for Spain and especially France. Brazil ended up winning but I had expected a Brazil/France rematch in the final.
    2006: Again, early exits for Spain and also Brazil. France and Italy final was hardly a surprise, but the controversial nature of it was. I had expected a more free flowing game and less dirt.
    2010: Spain winning was hardly a surprise, but Holland's untypical and rather dirty play was and spoiled the final. Normally, a Spain v Holland affair would be classic football. But this Dutch team was an anomaly: perhaps the most successful at the championship in decades, but not a typical exciting Dutch football team like those of the 1988-2006 period. Uruguay were the surprise of the championship (once winners of the world cup, will 2014 see them continue their renaissance as a force in football?).

    A poor ball, a bad ref decision, a reckless foul leading to a penalty, a penalty shootout miss, sheer bad luck or an underperforming individual can all have their impacts and have seen the greatest of teams crash out very early.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,832 ✭✭✭✭Blatter


    http://m.oddschecker.com/football/world-cup/team-specials/england/to-make-world-cup-squad

    Adam Johnson is as high as 24/1 to make the England WC squad. He is playing very well at the minute and I was a fan of his from his City days, always thought he had very good ability. If he keeps going the way he is, he's a shoe in imo. If he drops off a bit but continues to play well, he still has a good chance. Even more so considering Walcott is out. Even 10/1 on this is value imo.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 34,436 ✭✭✭✭The_Kew_Tour


    Great Spot there.


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