Flip

2 days and couple of hours

After the friendly against Ghana today, I'm fully on board with this. If it wasn't for the disproportionate amount of political power from Asia within FIFA I could see Asia losing a World Cup spot. Done stuff all to deserve it. Certainly not on merit, but one purpose of giving the lesser continents a disproportionate amount of slots is to give it some exposure on the biggest stage to raise the level of football there. It's a slow process but it's certainly worked so far. Let's be honest, if the purpose was to just have the 32 best teams nobody outside of Europe and South America would be invited. I like the spread.

This is worse organized than the stadium constructions TDick. I want my money back.

His form for Argentina under Sabella is 19 goals and 13 assists in 19 games. He's been the most 'in form' international player anywhere over the last 3 years. We'll see after the WC if I'm right or wrong regarding it being a bad bet betting for him as Argentina's top scorer in the WC. I maintain it is. I can fully understand why some wouldn't. But we'll see. I think Messi is the best active player in the world, but the reasons I'd not bet on him at the WC are the same reasons why I wouldn't bet on Rooney. Like I said earlier, that's absolutely fair enough, it's jsut that you said you were looking in form rather than previous big tournaments which is exactly what you are doing. In terms of international form he's clearly a favourite to win it. I wouldn't bet on him either because of the other players there like Higuain, Palacios, Lavezzi, Di Maria and Aguero who can all score goals.

Great clip going around in Brazil with Schweinsteiger and Neuer jumping around with local Bahia fans chanting 'Bahia, Bahia Bahia' Love when players interact with fans like that, it's waht the World Cup is about. (apart from Brazil winning it of course)

Just made my bets for now. Laid Brazil v Croatia £35. Returns £100 if Brazil doesn't win. (will lay them even harder against Mexico if they don't win jinxing all the way, I'm gonna come out with money or happiness) Laid Brazil qualify from group. £5 returns £100 Spain (vHolland), Chile (vAustralia), Uruguay (vCRica), France (vHonduras), Argentina (vBosnia), Holland (vAustralia), Italy (vCRica), Argentina (vIran), Germany (vGhana), Spain (vAustralia), England (vCRica), Ivory Coast (vJapan), Colombia (vGreece) £10 returns £1700 England x (vItaly), Switzerland (vEcuador), Germany (vPortugal), Russia (vSouthKorea), Italy (vCRica), Argies (vIran), Mexico (vCameroon), Chile (vAustralia). £5 returns £1000 Basically putting money on Costa Rica and Australia leaving with 0 points. Spain and Argies qualifying easily from their group. Then some to put the odds up. Doesn't look completely impossible. Have some other bets and will put some more long-term. Germany is 1.5x to reach quarterfinals, which I think they will.

I think Ivory Coast and Colombia are a tad too strong. I love Japan, respect Greece organization, but the other teams have players that can make things happen both offensively and defensively. * Two interesting things happened in Brazil today. Bosnias manager luckily escaped a robbery attempt as three guys on motorcycle drove up to them when the Bosnian team split in their walk back to the hotel. Luckily the police managed to see it and chased the guys before they could even attempt a robbery. And Mexico's bus broke down so the players had to take taxi's to training. Immense pictures as 15 taxi's or so escorted by police arrived at the training ground in Santos

I get your points, but he still scores quite regularly for Argentina compared to what most players do for national team.

He's running and participating in training normally, even created an excellent goal against the reserves with Paulinho and Fred.

I'm watching it live on tv, he's playing without a problem. Although they did just say that he felt something early in training. So I'll remove that smily.

I meant previous events from years ago. Because saying it's like throwing away money betting on Messi in the international stage is clearly that. I mean he scored 10 goals in qualifiers which is the most recent event from the international stage.

Do you bet a lot based on previous events?

College level is absolute a joke if it's not the top 30 or so Universities. Was offered a chance to play in the US in college despite being like 15kg overweight since they lack a complete technical ability.

Absolutely, was just commenting on the 'could be a good watch' as they're a very rigid and boring side to watch overall.

Possibly. They have a decent little team, could be a good watch. They're boring to watch though. Think they could do well as Hitzfeld has them playing organized football, but from the few games I've seen them they're not entertaining. Hope they are on June 20th at Arena Fonte Nova though.

Nah, IMO, their defense is shambles. Their midfield is definitely good, but their defense and goalkeeper is rather average. Belgium has a good team in every part of the pitch. Colombia and Belgium aren't dark horses for me though.

*fuck off

FYP. Oscar will play 45mins from start, disappoint and Willian will run the show. Ffs man that's literally never happened, shut the hell up. Happened plenty this season for Chelsea. Basically every game.

FYP. Oscar will play 45mins from start, disappoint and Willian will run the show.

Meant the local/Brazilian fans.

Good attack but bad defence, very unbalanced squad, and they have never won against any strong team. Yeah, but it's more about their route. From all the weaker teams they're the one that might not have to play a big nation until a possible quarter-finals. I can see them beating Switzerland and even France on a bad day. I think they'll have big support from fans and in a quarter-final anything can happen. I don't think they'll go that far, I'm just looking at all the teams that could surprise and they're definitely the team I think has the biggest chance of being the surprise of the tournament.

I think Colombia will play England in last 16. Colombia to win their group with 7p. They're just that good. Only team that can take point from them is Ivory Coast. I love Japan and their style of play, but those defenders are useless. I think Bosnia have a chance to reach semi-finals depending on how good Germany are, that's how much I rate that team. I think they can beat France/Swiss and then in a quarter-final against Portugal/Germany they could on a super day somehow go through. They can also fail miserably and finish dead last in their group. Think they're the big dark horse of this tournament just because of the group and possible route to a semi. (obviously don't expect them, but just like Turkey in 2002 you never know)

Oh right. Good to have bench players just in case.