Well, the shocks continue! Holders Spain are out of the tournament. It’s not been a great tournament for favourite backers. Today’s schedule sees some tight affairs in the betting. Let’s take a look at what’s on offer. Odds from Bovada and TopBet are provided for US players.
Columbia v Ivory Coast
Columbia didn’t impress in their opener against Greece and their victory looked to be the result of an uninspiring Greece performance rather than any Columbian style. Ivory Coast did well to come back against Japan and look to be over-priced at 29/10 (Bet Victor) or 14/5 (Bovada) to get the win. Yaya Toure is always a goal threat and is a good price at 11/1 (888.Sport) or 9/1 (Bovada) to grab the first goal. I can see this being a close run affair in the early stages and Draw half time/Ivory Coast full time is well worth a punt at 15/2 (Stan James, Paddy Power) or 7/1 (Bovada). Japan showed that Ivory Coast can be caught out defensively so a bet on Ivory Coast and Both Teams To Score at 13/2 (Bet365, Totesport) or 11/2 (Bovada) is very appealing.
Top Bet: Ivory Coast to win at 29/10 (BetVictor) and 14/5 (Bovada).
Uruguay v England
This is a must win game for both sides and should see goals. Uruguay welcome back Luis Suarez from injury and England will know all about the danger he poses. Uruguay looked a bit toothless in their opener, but the return of Suarez should give them some added bite up front. He is 6/1 (Bet365, BetVictor) or 5/1 (Bovada) to score the first goal. England played well against Italy, but they struggled to break down a determined Italy side. Uruguay should present them with more opportunities and I think they may just come out of the game with a much needed win. England are 11/10 with Bet365, Ladbrokes, Corals and William Hills or 20/21 (Bovada). Get on them. Wayne Rooney has attracted a lot of criticism over the last few days and he will be desperate to get his first goal in the World Cup. He is 2/1 with BetVictor and Paddy Power or 11/8 with Bovada to score at any time.
Top Bet: Wayne Rooney to score at any time at 2/1 (BetVictor and Paddy Power) or 11/8 (Bovada).
Japan v Greece
This is another tricky one to call. Japan showed some glimpses against Ivory Coast before ultimately being overpowered. Japan look a good side until they enter the final third of the pitch and seem to lack either that killer final ball or goal poacher who will pick up the scraps. Greece will approach the game with the same level of physicality and although they have said they won’t approach the game defensively, I cannot see them going for an all out gung-ho approach. They may bring Mitroglou in to bolster an attack that looked clueless against Columbia and how he links up with Samaras may be crucial to the result. I can see this being a low scoring affair and Both Teams NOT to Score is 5/6 (Bet 365, Totesport) or 20/23 (Bovada). For there to be no goalscorer is a very big 9/1 (BetVictor) or 8/1 (Bovada). There haven’t been many goalless games in the tournament, but with both sides lacking real goalscoring talent and a Greece side built on a good defence I think this is a great bet.
Top Bet: No goalscorer in the game at 9/1 with BetVictor or 8/1 with Bovada.
