POSTED: 14 June, 2013

No cracking underneath the pressure

Well last week the winning run came to an abrupt end. It was a real shock in my eyes to see England go out of the U-21 Championships after just two games. Mind you it wasn’t the only shock that’s for sure considering Germany will also join them on the early flight home back from Israel.

The bookies have made a mint from the results in the Championships so far, I’d hope some of you are having more luck than me for these championships that’s for sure!

So onto this weekend and hopefully back to winning ways.
Enough of the youngsters, let’s go onto some ‘open age’ football. The warm up to the World Cup starts this weekend in Brazil in the Confederations Cup, and the only two teams guaranteed to be at next summer’s competition face off in Brasilia as the hosts take on Japan.

Under Zaccheroni Japan have become a hugely organised side and a very hard one to break down. They have conceded just five goals in the qualifiers so far, and you know he will be taking this competition very seriously. In the likes of Kagawa, Kiyotake and Honda, they have a lot of European experience too, and are not a side to take lightly.

Brazil have had a few decent warm up matches prior to this competition, drawing 2-2 to England before thrashing France 3-0, but this will be effectively their first competitive match since the Copa America two years ago. They have an abundance of talent, there is no doubting that, but how will they fare breaking this side down.

I cannot see this being an overly high scoring game. Japan will sit back, and absorb the Brazilian pressure, but I see them doing it well.

Under 3 goals there would be my bet!

POSTED: 14 June, 2013

Holding ground

Hosts Brazil begin their Confederations Cup defence by playing Asian giants Japan at Estadio Nacional in their Group A battle.

Luiz Felipe Scolari’s men have not lost in their last five international matches (albeit all being friendlies) – including a 3-0 thrashing of France in their most recent appearance. In that tie, Oscar, Hernanes and Lucas all found the back of the net, while Fred and Neymar assisted.

On the other hand, the 2011 AFC Asian Cup champions are joining the competition for the fifth time. They have failed to win in their last three matches across all competitions but are still on top of their table in the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers Asia.

The last time these two teams met was in October 2012 at Stadion Miejski in a friendly. They Brazilians dominated the match and won 4-0 behind goals from Paulinho, Neymar (2) and Kaka.

I reckon the same result as the South Americans will look to win in front of their home crowd.

Even with -1.5 Asian handicap on Brazil, they are still favoured to win at 1.89, while a Japan win is 2.03.

I’d still be leaning on the hosts to get a victory, and do it by a wide margin.

With that being said, a total of over 3.0 goals pays 2.02 as well and that’s another I’d put my money on.

I’m feeling pretty confident with these picks and cashing in over the weekend should be fun.

Picks – Brazil win @ 1.89 (-1.5 Asian handicap) AND over 3.0 goals @ 2.02.

POSTED: 14 June, 2013

Steady on top

Easily the top two teams in Group B of the Confederations Cup, Spain and Uruguay trade blows at Arena Pernambuco in the first match of the cluster.

The number one team in the world qualified through winning the 2010 World Cup, giving them only their second appearance in the competition.

Uruguay are part of this tournament after winning the 2011 Copa America, they too are only featuring for the second time in the Confederations Cup.

As they are grouped with Tahiti and Nigeria, this could very well be the match to determine who will end up at the top of the table.

When we look at form, Spain easily trump their rivals. Unbeaten since November 2011, the La Roja are coming off a 2-1 victory over Haiti in their last friendly.

As for the Uruguayans, they recently broke their three-game winless run by beating France 1-0, with Luis Suarez scoring the game’s winner.

In their last meeting, Spain dominated their South American counterparts 3-1, with Cesc Fabregas scoring and assisting in one of two Pedro goals.

It is easy to have this in favour of the European champions and the numbers further show their dominance. With 1.62 returned if Spain win, it’s too small a return for me.

With a -1.0 Asian handicap, 2.13 is returned, though. And with that, I’d like my odds for a Spain win over a goal.

Pick – Spain @ 2.13 (-1.0 Asian handicap)

POSTED: 14 June, 2013

The longest league

Spanish Segunda probably is the longest football league in Europe. It starts at the second or third week of August and after playoff, it ends at third week of June the next year. 10 month run is a big test to all the teams in Segunda. Only 3 teams will be promoted to Liga A. The first two get promoted directly and the third to sixth will play the playoff for the final ticket to Liga A. This weekend, we will see Almeria face Las Palmas. There will be a tight game for sure. No one wants to make mistakes at this last moment. There is not too much to say. Under is always a good choice in a tight game.

My pick: Under 2.0