WORLD CUP BETTING: Live on BBC1: Mon 15.00 & ITV1: Mon 19.30: Day 18 of the WC and last 16 continues; Netherlands V Slovakia followed in the evening by Brazil V Chile.
Monday’s World Cup matches enable punters to see two sides widely backed to win the tournament: Brazil are now 888sport’s outright 7/2 favourites, while Holland, who entertain Slovakia, are a surprisingly lengthy 7/1 according to bet365.
It’s the Dutch who are in action first and they arrive at the knock-out stage in fine form having won their last seven to remain undefeated in 2009/10; little wonder they’re bet365’s 4/9 favourites to win inside 90 minutes and 1/6 (Betfred) to qualify.
The last tem to beat Holland was Australia in September 2008 – 22 matches ago and few punters expect Slovakia to reverse that trend, hence their 8/1 price (Victor Chandler) to win. Indeed, Slovakia’s remarkable 3-2 victory over Italy was only the second time they’ve scored more than two goals all season; they’re an astonishing 66/1 with 888sport to win 2-0.
Punters are focusing instead on the Dutch, rated by Totesport as a 5/1 shot to secure a 2-0 victory and at 9/1 by Jaxx.com to rattle in three without reply. Not surprisingly, Robin van Persie is Stan James’s 4/1 favourite to open the scoring; Dirk Kuyt is 6/1 (Partybets) in the same market.
Elsewhere, William Hill offer 11/10 about Holland being in front at the end of both halves and Ladbrokes chalk 10/3 against them winning by two clear goals.
Later on Monday, Brazil host fierce South American rivals Chile, a match they kick off as Partybets’ 1/2 favourites to win, whereas their opponents, shorn of key players through suspension, are Totesport’s 6/1 underdogs.
Yet only Spain breached Chile’s defence during the group stages (against the run of play) which suggests this will be no cakewalk for the tournament favourites and Stan James’s 4/6 odds for the match to yield fewer than three goals should not be ignored. However, Chile offered little in attack during the group phase and Paddy Power’s 2/5 for Brazil to retain a clean sheet has obvious appeal.
In keeping with their other appearances, Brazil have been well backed by an army of punters; they’re Betdaq’s even money choice to be in front at half time and 11/10 with Ladbrokes to hold an advantage at 45 and at 90 minutes. Indeed, even when handed a one goal handicap advantage by Jaxx.com, Chile are still 13/10 odds-against to win.
It all points to an easy Brazilian romp into the quarter finals and they’re 11/2 at Betfred to record a 2-0 victory. However, this is the World Cup and punters craving another upset may be inclined to risk a modest amount on Victor Chandler’s 11/1 posted about a 1-0 victory for Chile.
Compare all World Cup odds for day 18 and bet at the best prices.
Recommended bets:
Robin van Persie to score first for Holland v Slovakia: 4/1 (Stan James)
Brazil to win by two goals: 7/2 (Paddy Power)
Both Brazil and Chile to score inside 90 minutes: 6/4 (William Hill)
