Paddy Power’s World Cup Blog – June 21

Paddy is in the mood for some risks on this bright Monday. He says he’s not a complete idiot, but he is backing Honduras against Spain so that’s open to question.

 

Paraguay looked a lot better against Slovakia but I’ll still be very surprised if they do anything more beyond qualifying from the group. They do put a shift in.

Speaking of which, who couldn’t but be won over by New Zealand? There was something of Jack Charlton’s Italia 90 Ireland side about them. Don’t forget we made it all the way to the quarter-finals without winning a game, could the All Whites do the same? Probably not but in a tournament where we have players blaming their supporters for not playing well and an entire squad of Frenchmen surrender their World Cup hopes, well it’s nice to see some players just giving it a good old lash. Brazil are through to the second round and it’s hard to see who can stop them.

After yesterday I’m hoping for another shock result today. North Korea showed they had plenty of spirit against Brazil, as well as being very organised and hard-working. It wasn’t enough to beat Fabiano and co but Ronaldo and co are a different story. Portugal are an average side with a couple of quality players and I’ve never fancied them to do a whole lot in this tournament.

The Koreans are 9/1 to win and the draw is 7/2, and both of those look more appealing than risking backing an unimpressive Portugal side to win at 4/11. Front-man Jong-Tae Se (right) looks hell-bent on getting at least one World Cup goal and his 9/2 to score anytime is worth a bet.

Chile, my dark horse pick, may find things tough against an organised and functional Switzerland. The South Americans have the guile to create chances but they do have a few issues at the back. I’ll be crossing my fingers for an exciting game and backing Chile to win, with maybe a cheeky punt on a 3-2 win at 35/1 just for kicks.

Rounding off the second round of group games, Spain have a disaster to avoid. The odds suggest they’re going to get back on track in style and they certainly have the players to do it but something in my waters says they’re going to struggle. There’s little logic here but a lot is expected of this Spain squad and it wouldn’t be the first time a highly talented Spain squad flopped at the World Cup.

If they click then Honduras are in serious trouble but I’m the mood to take a few risks today, so what the hell? Honduras in the draw no bet market are 12/1, that’s worth a bet to me, if only a very small one. I’m not a complete idiot.

***Click HERE to receive a FREE €25 BET when you set up a new account with Paddy Power***