WORLD CUP BETTING: Live on ITV1: Tue 15.00 & BBC1: Tue 19.30: Day 19 of the WC and last 16 continues; Paraguay v Japan followed in the evening by Spain v Portugal.
With just two quarter final berths remaining, four teams are set to do battle on the 2010 World Cup’s final day of consecutive competition; a break of two days is scheduled after Tuesday’s matches have ended before the competition re-starts on Friday…
First up are Paraguay and Japan. The teams have met on six previous occasions, four of which have ended in stalemate. It follows that Betfred’s 9/4 for it to finish level at 90 minutes is worthy of consideration and, as the pair’s last three duels have finished goalless, Betdaq’s 7/1 for it to end 0-0 offers outstanding value. Paddy Power’s 5/6 for the game’s total goal minutes to be less than 106 cannot be ignored.
Paraguay, who have lost only one of their last nine matches, kick off as 888sport’s 6/5 favourites and priced at 13/2 by Totesport to secure a 1-0 victory. Few predicted Japan would make the knock-out phase, hence they’re Betdaq’s 14/5 choice to win and as they’ve lost six of their last nine matches, the price does not appear unreasonable. Indeed, even when handed the benefit of a one goal handicap start by Victor Chandler, the Japanese are 8/13 to win.
Yet no-one expected Japan to overhaul Denmark. Or Cameroon. They’re a temptingly long 7/1 (Partybets) to beat Paraguay, but one fancies this is as far as their World Cup odyssey goes; punters who concur may fancy Stan James’s 8/1 for Paraguay to win 2-1.
Though Spain hold a statistical upper hand in their meetings with Portugal, they have managed just one win over their Iberian neighbours since 1958, a record which adds appeal to Paddy Power’s 10/3 for Portugal to score a win.
In fact, five of the last seven matches involving the duo have ended all square and Ladbrokes’ 11/5 for it to finish in stalemate again has proved popular. Those anticipating a conclusive result inside 90 minutes should note that it’s more than 50 years since the margin of victory in these Iberian derbies exceeded a single goal, adding further appeal to bet365’s 11/4 for Spain to enjoy a win by one goal.
Though Spain start as Victor Chandler’s 11/10 favourites, therefore, this could be significantly closer than many bookies expect and William Hill’s 13/10 for both sides to score is sure to appeal.
If a winner is to emerge inside 90 minutes, it looks certain to be by the odd goal and punters who enjoy browsing the correct score markets can get 11/2 (Jaxx.com) about Spain snatching a 1-0 success, while 888sport post 8/1 against Portugal overhauling their nearest neighbours by the same score.
Betfred’s 4/9 for the match to yield fewer than three goals has the look of a nap about it, while Partybets’ 5/1 about it going to extra time following a 1-1 result continues to attract steady support.
Compare all World Cup odds for day 19 and bet at the best prices.
Recommended bets:
Japan v Paraguay total goal minutes to be under 106: 5/6 (Paddy Power)
Spain and Portugal to draw (90 minutes): 11/5 (Ladbrokes)
Spain to beat Portugal by a single goal: 11/4 (bet365)
