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

Van: Always been a big fan of your stuff from the baseball flat betting, reducing juice and now this. You've won me a pretty penny and I've learned a lot especially discipline in shopping for lines and for that I thank you!

Im going to be serious for once around here - and I will probably regret it later - but this is the highest compliment that I can receive in the realm of covers.  The most gratifying thing to me is to know that someone has taken something I have written and applied it for the good longterm.  Daily winners come and go - but it makes me very satisfied to know that I might have helped someone not be a degenerate loser - but a degenerate winner.

I will check it out.

I am going to go big on Argentina here. 
I agee that the Gemans are overrated (a bit) and that the English were more overrated.  This whoopin by Germany has me thinking Argentina will take this 3-1 with ease.

Good work Van - btwn my kid playing it (most important...), and wagering on it (with your write-ups...), I am addicted.  Great sport - more to it than I ever thought... 

And goddamn-it!!! the USA lost - at least we are finally competing, but we still have a way to go. 

Van-

Im not really one to lay -200 on a parlay....

But have you considered laying -120 on them to win in regulation?

And something else to consider - dont bet a parlay - just bet the first game and then roll it over on the second game if you dont get a "true odds" parlay at your book.

Its the only sport I can watch without a bet on it.  If I stopped betting on football, MLB, or hoops - I would never watch another game.

Once again Van, we are on the same page.  Let's get more paper my friend! 

Netherlands and Brazil it is! (Scary though as everyone agrees, except for some Chili supporters.)

Either way Van will tail in one of them--- will toss a coin for that one :D After Germany and Argentina big wins i feel one of these games today will surprise us.

Good luck! And again, great write-ups!

 thank you my friend.  

Chile braced for Brazilian battering

A quick look at the form book might leave Chile wondering if it is worth turning up for their World Cup second round match against Brazil tomorrow.

Chile has suffered an extraordinarily bad run against brazil in tyher last 5 years, losing seven matches in a row and letting in 26 goals in the process [BC, 4.00 avg the last 3 years/5 matches].

They have also lost their only 2 World Cup meetings against Brazil - 4-2 in the semi-finals in the 1962 WC, and 4-1 in the second round in France in 1998.

Coach Marcelo Bielsa has revolutionised the team in his three years in charge, transforming them from one of the worst on the continent into one of the best, but even he knows they face a huge task against the five times world champions.

"The things that Brazil has done in the past exempts them from any sort of comment," said the eccentric and enigmatic Argentine.

"They are always a team to be feared and this latest version preserves all the footballing attributes of the country and, in addition, adds speed and ruthlessnes."

Chile's current losing sequence began in 2004 -


The last two results (2010 World Cup qualifying matches) came with Biesla as coach, with the three previous results leading to the sacking of his predecessor, Nelson Acosta.

Brazil thrive against teams that attack them and Chile fit the bill perfectly. A fast, attacking but somewhat lightweight team, Chile tend to be easy prey for the powerful brazilians and, in their enthusiasm to pour forward, leave gaps at the back that are usually ruthlessly exploited by Brazil's forwards.

If that is not worrying enough, Chile will be without two regular defenders with Gary Medel and Waldo Ponce [BC, great last name for a soccer player] both suspended.

Its for 90 minutes.

Thanks.

Nice write up as alway Master Vanz!!

Nice picks and bol today van! I'm always happy when we think alike!

I am on both today as well. 

Brazil-Chile over 1.5 (-300)

lots of juice, but in a game with 2 central def's out and already expected to be fast-paced, some value there. ive played several over 1.5 props and in the elimination stages (when teams cant play for a tie or a 1-goal loss, but instead begin pushing for goals and exposing themselves) they have even more value

What do you think of the first half Van? i think NED is contented with this 1-0 lead...

VAN
(That was such a fixed ending you still deserve credit)

Not only is he the best, but he's (I think) a former cop and his style of reffing is to try to talk to players and to calm them down, instead handing out cards left and right. He will follow the book on the harsh starts, but will allow very physical, clean play at the same time. He's probably the worst ref if one's looking for the red card, as I've never seen him "lose" the game.