FOOTBALL BETTING: The World Cup has surely never been so finely poised at the semi final stage as a 3-way tie has developed in the betting; Uruguay aren’t being given a chance over the European giants.
The jury is well and truly out on the World Cup outright market after an exciting set of quarter finals with a few surprises thrown in had punters scratching their heads.
Spain, Germany and Netherlands are all just above the 2/1 mark – Spain 21/10 with Betdaq, Germany 21/10 with Coral and Netherlands 9/4 with Victor Chandler. Spain were the only team from those 3 not to spring a surprise but faith is maintained in their quality in possession. Uruguay make up the semi final line up, 12/1 at Sportingbet.
The Netherlands sent Dunga and the Brazilian team packing on Friday after a thrilling 2nd half come back from a goal down. That comeback against the tournament favs is enough to warrant a place at the head of the market if it weren’t for the fact that Germany smashed four past a fragile Argentina. The unwavering loyalty to Spain ensures they continue to figure.
The semi finals throw up 2 ties in which it’s feasible to see any combination progress to the final. If the Dutch team that looked disinterested against Brazil in the 1st half show up, then a Forlan driven team could qualify (5/2 Boylesports) but then again, Uruguay were hardly setting the tournament alight against Ghana and will be without the potent threat of Suarez, making the Dutch 1/3 to qualify with Stan James look the likely option.
In the other tie you have possession, time and control of the ball against pace, explosive counter-attacking and youthful exuberance. The bookies have learnt a lesson after pricing Germany at roughly 9/4 for games against England and Argentina (in which they subsequently hit 8 goals) and now have them 15/8 (Betfred) to prosper over Spain in 90 minutes. This however leaves the European champions and masters of passing and patience at a juicy 13/8 with Bet365.
A Germany-Netherlands final would be a fantastic occasion and Paddy Power put 13/8 against that being so.
David Villa leads the goal-scoring charts on his own with 5 and Totesport make him 4/7 fav to remain there. Miroslav Klose, now 2nd in the all time World Cup charts, comes in at 4/1 with Victor Chandler with 4 goals. Wes Sneijder had Melo’s own goal attributed to him and he moves onto 4, 10/1 with Coral to go top. Thomas Muller on 4 (20/1 Ladbrokes) makes up the players who are still in on 4 goals or more and the roaming attacker has a real chance of slotting in another couple as a great outside chance.
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