WORLD CUP BETTING: Live on BBC1: Mon 12.30, BBC1: Mon 15.00 & ITV1: Mon 19.30: Day 11 of the World Cup; Portugal v North Korea, Chile v Switzerland and Spain v Honduras in Groups G & H.
Despite enjoying over sixty percent of possession and peppering Switzerland’s goal with 24 shots, a defensive calamity condemned Spain to a shock 1-0 defeat in their opening game and the pressure is now on Vicente del Bosque’s men to produce against Honduras.
‘La Furia Roja’ needn’t panic just yet with of course, despite their outright odds slipping to 11/2 with Victor Chandler; West Germany, Argentina and Italy all reached the final in 1982, 1990 and 1994 respectively, despite losing their first match and you’d expect Spain, at 1/7 (Ladbrokes) to bounce back immediately against a toothless ‘Los Catrachos’; 888Sport’s 18/1 outsiders.
The Central American outfit created little as they lost to Chile and they’re unlikely to trouble a Spain rearguard likely to be more vigilant after they switched off against the Swiss. Del Bosque’s side should therefore combine a victory with a clean sheet (4/7, Stan James) and it’s easy to see them getting amongst the goals this time around; Totesport chalking them up at 6/1 to notch three times without reply.
Portugal underwhelmed in the draw with Ivory Coast but they’re bet365’s 4/11 favourites to secure all three points against the resilient North Koreans and should just about sneak it. The latter will be looking to replicate their outstanding defensive display against Brazil and they can frustrate Carlos Queiroz’s side for long periods but Portugal should ultimately be rewarded for their patience and a victory on the back of a drawn first half, priced at 7/2 by Betfred, looks likely in Cape Town, where Betdaq offer 5/1 for the Europeans to notch twice without reply.
In Group H, Chile got their campaign under way with a comfortable win against Honduras, however the number of chances they missed and the fact that despite their dominance, the final score was just 1-0 is a worry against a Switzerland side that shutout Spain in their opener and didn’t concede a single goal in the 2006 tournament. Nevertheless, the slick Chileans, Paddy Power’s narrow favourites at 5/4, have enough to break down the Swiss rearguard and with goals set to be at a premium, they’re 5/1 (Jaxx.com) to grab the only goal for a second match running.
Less specifically, William Hill offer 5/2 for Marcelo Bielsa’s troops to prevail by a one-goal margin and for the more cautious, the South American outfit are 3/5 in Partybets’ ‘Draw No Bet’ market in which stakes are refunded in the event of a stalemate.
Compare all World Cup odds for day 11 and bet at the best prices.
Recommended Bets:
Spain to beat Honduras 3-0 – 6/1 (Totesport)
Draw/Portugal in the half-time/full-time betting – 7/2 (Betfred)
Chile to beat Switzerland and less than 2.5 goals scored in the match – 12/5 (Ladbrokes)
