Bet on it being a good night for Europe’s heavyweights

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Germany and Italy are both available at odds greater than evens to beat Argentina and Cameroon tonight – meaning that a £10 double on the second and third most successful nations in World Cup history with Betfair tonight will return £37.10.

If you’re a bit of a daredevil and think that bet is a little too straight-forward then why not throw an away team into the mix?

Croatia had a poor World Cup qualifying campaign but still managed to pick up twice as many points as Belgium, so odds greater than 6/4 on Slaven Bilic

Posted: March 3rd, 2010 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

USA may cause Italy problems as Group B gets underway

USA have a chance to prove they can challenge the “Big Three”

The standard of Group A - barring Spain of course - was perhaps even worse than we anticipated, so much so that there’s a possibility that no team other than the European champions will win a game there or potentially even score a goal. The opening Group B fixtures take place today and it should be more competitive, with both Brazil and Italy involved and Egypt and USA attempting to show that they are capable of springing a surprise:

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Brazil v Egypt
Holders Brazil have played in the last five tournaments and their aggregate score in opening fixtures over that time is 12-1. They have won their opener to nil on four occasions (3-0, 4-0, 2-0 and 3-0) with the one exception coming when they last kicked off against African opposition in 2003, losing 1-0 to Cameroon before going out in the group stage. Four of the last five

Posted: June 15th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Spain are favourites to win the Confederations Cup

Click here for all the latest odds on the 2009 Confederations Cup

Arguably the least prestigious tournament in international football gets going in South Africa this weekend and we still don’t really understand what’s at stake. All the continental champions and the World Cup holders are there but they aren’t fighting to be crowned the best team in the world. In fact, the only country who really stand to benefit are South Africa, who didn’t have to earn their place in the Con Cup and will gain experience of hosting an international tournament ahead of one that actually matters next summer.

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» The Con Cup participants are supposed to be eight of the best teams in the world but the bookmakers clearly don’t see it that way. There is a huge gap between the challengers and the also-rans in the winner’s market betting, with Spain, Brazil and Italy all 7/2 or less while the other five teams - South Africa, Egypt, USA, Iraq and New Zealand - are 20/1 or more.

» The chances of South Africa, Egypt, Iraq and New Zealand are dealt a further blow by the fact that no team from Africa, Asia or Oceania have ever won the tournament. USA won’t be too confident either because the only CONCACAF winners have been Mexico, when they hosted it a decade ago.

Posted: June 12th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Crouch’s goal ratio, Ireland’s San Nicola success and more

Five stats about the midweek World Cup qualifiers

1. Peter Crouch has an incredible goal-to-start ratio for England and has scored thirteen goals in the last thirteen games that he has started.

2. Italy had won all eight of their previous games in Bari before being held to a 1-1 draw by the Republic of Ireland last night at the Stadio San Nicola.

3. Northern Ireland have won eight and drawn one of their last nine competitive matches at Windsor Park, compensating for the fact they have taken just four points from their last seven away games.

Posted: April 2nd, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Ireland’s away record doesn’t suggest they will shock Italy

Giovanni Trapattoni’s side often struggle in away qualifiers

Robbie Keane and Stephen Hunt have made a big deal to the press about how Ireland raise their game when written off and relish underdog status but there isn’t enough evidence to suggest the visitors should be backed, despite being available at 9/1.

Ireland have lost on their three previous visits to Italy and alarmingly have won just four of their last fifteen competitive away games. Those victories have all come against countries who hadn’t/haven’t won a home game during that campaign (Faroe Islands, Cyprus, San Marino and Georgia).

Posted: April 1st, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Ten statistics about England’s qualifying clash with Ukraine

England/Ukraine, Wednesday 8pm, ITV1, Free Bets, Best Odds

England fans have a reputation for fickleness but the antics of the Wembley crowd must seem refreshing to Fabio Capello when compared to the actions of some supporters in his homeland. Italy fans in Bari are expected to boo Marcello Lippi, the man who won them the World Cup, tonight and cheer his predecessor Giovanni Trapattoni, the man who twice flopped in international tournaments. The reason? Lippi refused to call up their favourite son Antonio Cassano. Capello on the other hand can expect a hearty applause this evening despite trying to pick even Darren Bent ahead of Michael Owen. Here’s ten stats about tonight’s game with Ukraine:

1. Both teams are unbeaten in Group 6, with England winning all four of their games. Ukraine have won two and drawn one of their three.

2. Ukraine are unbeaten in eight games and have won four consecutive away games.

3. However, they have been seen off easily on their two previous trips to England - losing 2-0 in 2000 and 3-0 in 2004.

Posted: April 1st, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment