So with no real surprises in the final group games, it’s on to the next round – and Paddy thinks you’d do well to back Uruguay and Team USA in today’s games.
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Well there were no shocks in the final group games, except perhaps the shocking game we saw between Brazil and Portugal. It all started off so well, but a few too many changes seemed to leave Brazil a little disjointed whilst Portugal were happy to hang on for the draw they needed.
Brazil are still the outright winners for me and Portugal are going out in the second round. I hope. In the end it was too little too late from the Ivory Coast and too much too early from North Korea at this World Cup.
Spain controlled the ball well, helped by the harsh sending off of a player who probably should have been sent off beforehand and was probably going to get sent off at some stage anyway. Del Bosque’s side are starting to look good but they need Torres to find some form to give them that extra dimension up front.
Chile impressed in defeat and we may see some of their players in the Premier League next season but the second round could be the last time we see them in South Africa. Spain, on the other hand, are serious contenders – but they do need Torres and Iniesta in form.
Denmark? They didn’t even score one against Honduras so they don’t deserve to go through. That’s all I have to say on that.
Following on from some lacklustre final group games, I’m really looking forward to today’s fare. I must admit I do have a soft-spot for South Korea, the absence of dog eating jokes may have given that away, but after seeing how they struggled against the passing and movement of Argentina, they face a tough task to get past Uruguay.
Diego Forlan has been the star so far for the South Americans and a defence which has conceded six goals already will struggle to contain him and Suarez. Forlan to score anytime and Uruguay to win is 13/5. South Korea haven’t failed to score yet, though, so a scoreline like 3-1 to Uruguay at 17/1, is worth a small bet.
The evening game could be a real cracker. Both sides will feel they have nothing to lose after making it out of their respective groups and both sides will fancy their chances of making it to the quarter-finals.
Ghana have created plenty of chances in their three group games but only scored two goals, both of which game from the penalty spot. So their power and pace up front will create opportunities against the American backline but their downfall could be their failure to put those opportunities away.
Landon Donovan’s injury-time goal is the kind of confidence booster that can see good teams do great things. If the belief is there and Ghana misfire, then Donavan could fire the USA into the quarter-finals. Donovan to score in 90 minutes and the USA to win in 90 minutes is a healthy 9/2.
