Knockout Rounds thread - only 15 games to go......

Quote Originally Posted by bracks:

It was +165 O2.5 Van, great cash by halftime

If they don't want replay, then put an extra linesman that stays on the back line. There is NO WAY that call should not be called.

Agreed.

Great to hear.

Game Picks

Current Record 24-12
Up 50.34 units, Down 22.37 units
TOTAL - Up +27.97 units

Futures... 

Current Record  8-10
Up 20.8 Units, Down 17.4 units
Total Up +3.4 units

PENDING FUTURES:
17.  Argentina to win tournament +725 (6 units risked)
18.  Argentina / Neth final +3300 (.5 unit)

Monday June 28

51.  Netherlands / Slovakia - Netherlands -1 -114 (90 minutes) (2 units) - Is this the game the Dutch implode?  History might say yes, but I dont think Slovakia can provide even marginal opposition here to allow it.  Slovakia's big scalp is knocking out Italy, but I cant help looking at a group that was very weak (New Zealand, Paraguay) that Slovakia (until Italy) only managed a draw and a loss.  I am tossing out the Italy performance as punching way above their weight - and returning to those first two games - when they proved that they couldnt hold a lead against NZ, and then really got dominated by Paraguay.  In those two games, Slovakia managed 4 shots on goal.  4 shots in 2 games, including one against NZ!!  I realize they played as good as they could against Italy, but Im willing to put my money up that they cant do it again.  Strba is out on a suspension - and that is significant to me as he has been a rock in the Slovaks midfield.

Holland come in clicking in all parts of the game - not only scoring goals, but also only letting in 1 in the 3 games they have played so far.  That is the surprise to me, the lack of quality chances against them - I knew they would score - but their defense has been nasty and smothering.  They have quality finishers.  I cant overstate this - how many one on ones have we seen that the offensive player panics and shoots it right at the keeper?  It sounds obvious - but quality finishing cant be overrated - and the Dutch will finish you off.

I see the Dutch putting constant pressure on the Slovaks, scoring before HT, and then not letting off of the gas - and the Slovaks will try to push and get punished.  The Dutch have a tough road ahead (probably Brazil next), but they dont lose here.  Final score prediction - Holland 3 Slovakia 0

52.  Brazil / Chile - Brazil -1 +114 (90 minutes) (3 units)  - I was very impressed by Chile against Spain.  Down 2-0, and down to 10 men, they fought hard and pulled a goal back, but more importantly really looked sharp in the process with quick short passes, great dribbling (I read a stat that Sanchez has dribbled more than anyone in the tournament), and good ball control.  Unfortunately for them, their GK Bravo was called on to make some plays - and we all saw what happened with that.  The problem for Chile going forward is what happened in the first 21 minutes against Spain - 3 yellow cards (one led to red).  Estrada got the red - which means he is suspended for the Brazil game - but this was his first game and he wont be missed to badly.  The real problem - and I dont think this can be understated - is the fact that Ponce and Medel are suspended for the Brazil game - and guess what?  They are the two central defenders for Chile - their constant throughout the tournament so far in the middle defense - on a team that cant lose anything on defense to begin with.  I think this is a big deal - how can you plug in 2 new central defenders in the middle of the tournament - against Brazil no less - and expect good things to happen?  I dont.

Brazil is Brazil - what do I need to say that hasnt been said - Kaka is back from suspension, Fabiano is fine and will play - same with Elano.  The only crack in the armor of Brazil that I see is their lack of finishing so far, surprisingly only scoring 5 goals in their first 3 games, but even that might be a stretch.  Not many weaknesses here.

Brazil and Chile have a long history together, as they play each other often in South American qualifying.  In the last 4 years, Brazil is 6-0-0 against Chile - both home and away - and has outscored Chile 25 - 3 (yes, 25-3).   I cant ignore all of this - I want to like Chile here - but think they get spanked.  Final score prediction Brazil 3 Chile 0.

GL ALL.

Van:

Love Netherlands; this is the sleeper team and can acutally win the world cup! Almost noone giving them any chance to do it!

Yeah - they could definitely do it - but I have seen this movie before and it hasnt ever ended well for the Dutch....

Quote Originally Posted by ClubDirt:

Argentina.  

Strange line movement in this one though.  Fortunately, I put bets in last night and didn't try and read the moves.

Nice call on the England game.  I laid off that one.  

Cant read these line moves - I dont think they mean anything...

4 down, 3 to go....

Argentina!!!

Have to wait and see - if circumstances change - I will be more than willing to look in to any possible wagers....

Opening line....

Argentina -135 to advance over Germany

UH BOY.....

Thank you sir.

Very nice to know that someone is actually reading it.

Howard Webb (England) is the assigned ref.

He has reffed 2 games so far - Spain / Switz had 4 yellow cards, and Slovakia / Italy which had 8 yellow cards.

I think he is the best referee in the Premiership.

Just FYI.

Uh boy because I love Argentina in this game - but I have some difficult money management decisions ahead of me.  I dont want to have too much on one game, so Im going to have to figure it out - but Argentina to advance at -135 is easily a big bet for me.

I expected the line to be much bigger - I think it is held down because of what Germany did today (people have already forgotten Ghana and Serbia) - and what they did today was against a JV team.  So yes - I did think the line would be MUCH higher - and I have no idea which way it will move.