Neil

Shkodran Mustafi, former Everton legend, came in.

Just watching the 1970 one currently. Makes you appreciate just how good some players were. Brazil's attacking force, man. Pele, Jairzinho, Tostao, Rivelino.... totally unnecessary.

Didn't put money on Ribery after realising he might miss the first game. Didn't think he'd miss the whole tournament mind. Least I can go back to saying how overrated he is. Quite literally a Marvellous day yesterday. Genuinely chuffed with getting 25s on Taghrooda, never thought the odds would drop quite as much but thought it wouldn't have set off at anything above 8s. Will have a dabble today though probably a couple of small e/w shouts. Sudden Wonder possibly. What's your Derby pick?

Gail Blatt

Apparently Ribery will miss a game or 2 so that's a no bet.

Went off at 11/8. Like a rocket.

Yeah it's 4/1. Was 5/2 favourite pretty recently too until Marvellous came along.

Can still get 20/1 Ronaldo top scorer. Obviously if he's gonna miss a game or 2 then yeah don't get on it, but I still think all things considered that's too long. France top scorer - I'm happy to oppose Benzema/Giroud here. I know I don't rate him as highly as others but Ribery is generally 2nd favourite across the board, at odds of around 5/1. Except that is Betvictor where he's 10/1.

Idea @ 3/1 (yesterday) 8.30 Kempton. Now 13/8. (fak u wrld kup)

Same.

Aye, I gathered.

Little tip for those looking at top scorer. An actual 'top scorer' can be shared by more than one person. If Ronaldo, Messi and Neymar all finish on 6, then they'll be joint top scorers and your bet will be settled accordingly. The actual 'Golden Boot' winner - if there are joint top scorers - will go to the player with the most assists. Thought I'd point that out for those having a flutter on that market. May not sound like much but could be the difference between a nice profit and zilch.

Marvellous should win well albeit at short odds. Hope not, got Taghrooda at 25s. Though deep down think Marvellous will win.

Mention of Australia in random thread. Bring it back to Yorkie's Australian adventure. Insult him in the process. Rinse and repeat.

Complete brain fart. Should have mentioned it Froggy. I need to be made accountable for my admittedly sky high standards.

Think them to reach the quarters at 14/5 is a decent bet. They would play the winners of Group E in all likelihood, and even if that turns out to be France, I give them a good chance. Dzeko at 66/1 each way for top scorer is my main bet I reckon. It's obviously unlikely (what 66/1 bet is likely?) but if he's going to be on the pitch plenty it's a smashing bet. Because if he's starting, I'd argue the odds should be more like 20/1, 25/1. Obviously stiff competition up top for the Argies. Could easily see him getting 4 or 5, and as cliched as it sounds, it's true that it can simply take one thrashing in the group game to give him a massive chance. Aye, I'm counting on him filling his boots v Iran & Nigeria, maybe nick a consolation v Argentina and who knows in the Second Round. 5 is a realistic figure for him though. Why have I been talking about Dzeko as though he's Argentinian? I know he's Bosnian. Yet apparently refused to be aware of this. Fuck's sake Neil.

Re: the rumour generator - Luke Shaw to Man Utd for £25m.

It was just getting fun, that.

Booooo.

Fuck me. This finishing is something else.

Wow.

The fuck's wrong with Messi?

As much as it's hilarious Italy drawing with Luxembourg, I'm struggling to read much into pre-WC friendlies. Germany drawing with Cameroon another example, 9 times out of 10 Germany win that in the tournament. Argies for example look pretty turd by their standards here vs TrinIdad and Tobago. Come the group games they'll score plenty IMO.