The best team in the tournament are a decent price to win today – and it’s not Spain, who could be following France and Italy home with their tail between their legs.
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Even with a squad made up of the cast of Last of the Summer Wine I expected Italy to beat Slovakia but there was an obvious lack of belief in the side and an even more obvious lack of invention. The absence of Gigi Buffon proved fatal but let’s be honest, they didn’t deserve to go through and the tournament promises to be more entertaining for their absence. Paraguay and New Zealand was a dud but the South Americans go through and the All-Whites go home unbeaten. Who’d have predicted that?
Group E proved a little more successful for me. There was no need for my caution in backing Japan in the end as they had too much for a mediocre Denmark. The Dutch still haven’t done anything more than the bare minimum but the return of Arjen Robben could very well spark their tournament in to life. Three wins from three games is impressive even if the football hasn’t been. So far. If they don’t collapse in a farce of in-fighting then the future’s bright for the men in orange, even if it isn’t for women in orange. Especially not the ones in short, orange skirts partaking in a little guerrilla marketing.
On to today’s games. Brazil and Portugal are through, barring some unlikely high-scoring in both matches. After beating North Korea 7-0 the Portuguese players will be feeling pretty confident. That could be their downfall. Brazil are the best team in the competition and with the mentality Dunga has installed in the players, they’ll be determined to keep their 100% record going. Kaka’s absence will just give another talented player the opportunity to impress and no matter what the score-line of their last game, Portugal are still a limited side with a few moody stars who don’t always deliver for their country. Brazil are a decent price at 6/5 to win.
Ivory Coast need a massive win to have any hopes of going through but after North Korea’s last defeat I expect them to be doubly determined to keep the score down. The draw at 7/2 may not be a bad bet, especially if they can keep Drogba and co out early on. That’s no easy task when the Chelsea striker is on form but there’s no guarantee of that.
It’s crunch-time in Group G for one of the pre-tournament favourites. Whatever about France and Italy, Spain going out would be a massive shock. Of course they have the quality to beat Chile but so far they haven’t always looked a balanced and in sync team. With Switzerland favourites at 4/7 to beat Honduras, the pressure is on the European champions. Nothing short of a win will do, if we’re to assume a disheartened Honduras will struggle against the determined Swiss, but Chile are no easy task. The South Americans need to pick up a point themselves to ensure they progress and they’ve shown enough in their first to games to suggest they’ll trouble Spain at the back. The draw is 16/5 in this one and it could see you getting paid out and Spain going home.
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