CollegeKingRex
CTG Regular
Hi gents, with this being a World Cup year, no vacation time for me. The usual slow season starting in mid-May through the Phil Steele release (5 weeks or so) has gotten filled in with trying to prep for 32 teams and 64 games that will all draw tremendous worldwide volume. Add in the friendlies that involve countries that aren't participating, and I will have watched the national teams of about 57 countries play soccer this summer at least once. It's been a grueling prep, but just like the first Saturday of college football, once you've done all your work, the easy part starts - the games. This is like being near the top of a big rollercoaster, and you're about to freefall.
Last year, when I had some money and wasn't getting mauled, I bet seven games at Pinnacle's opening line. I'm talking December 6th, the day of the freakin draw. I was ready then with my own prices as soon as I saw the first fixtures and bet these on impulse. Here are those plays. The limit at the time was a dime each, which I bet on all of these at that time.
Cameroon +0.5 -111 and OVER 2.25 +102.
This was an impulse play AGAINST Mexico on all fronts. Beating New Zealand 9-3 didn't fool me. This Mexican team is a very flawed one and really did not deserve to make this trip. Anyone who watched the Hexagonal even half as closely as I did would agree. I obviously got the best of the number on the side. This Cameroon side is not considered a strong one but they should be able to generate some offense against a suspect Mexico backline. I am not sure what happened on the total, it's astonishingly been bet down and I will consider going for more on the OVER, as I think each side is good for at least one goal at the very least. Would love to hear any input for those who follow these teams and can give me a bit of strategic insight.
Holland/Spain UNDER 2.5 -126.
I did very good here, even before I knew the Dutch coach was going to implement some sort of a variation of a 5-3-2. Spain wins all their games in these sorts of competitions 1-0, and Holland will be content to let them kick it around with no purpose for a half before getting impatient and going on the attack. A 0-0 halftime score with no action might lend itself for me to getting involved in a live OVER 1 bet at even money or better when it pops (might not til 48th or 49th minute).
Japan PICK +109 vs. Ivory Coast.
Didn't do so well here; it's moved against me 5-6 cents. I still like the play, as I think the teams are fairly even but Honda and Kagawa are two studs with great technical quality in the midfield and that should sway things in their favor. I like Zaccheroni and the Italian's ability to adjust on the fly will give them a big advantage at halftime, as well. Won't go any deeper than the dime I've already invested but I don't feel bad about the play at all.
Honduras +1.5 -101 vs. France.
Got the best of the number, which is always the goal. Now just have to win the game. Never know what you'll get from the Frogs at these sorts of events but they seemed to be a bit more cohesive in their last friendly and could be improving at the right time. Still think they can struggle with the physicality of Honduras, as this is an awfully large number. The Hondos struggled in their friendlies with the Turks and the Onthespot before battling the English to a 0-0 draw in Miami. The game featured a straight red on Beckeles and a total of seven separate yellow cards. They sit deep, are organized, and though they're not favored to score, will be hard pressed to concede twice.
Bosnia & Herzegovina +1.25 +113 vs. Argentina.
Consider me one of the few folks I know that doesn't have an Argentine cock sticking out of my mouth in this event. I'm far from sold on them being one of the best two or three teams and see little chance of them even reaching the semis, let alone the final. Another game where I got way the best of the number and would love a much bigger bet than I currently have (yes, I will consider going for more). I am a bit concerned about this play, however, because of Bosnia's tactical change that happened within just the last couple of months. They were playing an ultra-aggressive 4-1-3-2 but Safet Susic has now made an adjustment, inserting holding midfielder Besic for second striker Vedad Ibisevic. Because Besic could play center back, he literally swapped a defender for an attacker. Dzeko and Pjanic are as good of a No. 9 and No. 10 as you'll see in this event. On defense, they will battle, even if they lack for certain skills. The goaltender is excellent, and will need to be be because Argentina will create chances.
Germany -0.5 -109 vs. Portugal.
Got the best of this one for awhile, but the Germans went into a funk and didn't snap out of it until 20 minutes remained in their very last friendly. They played a scoreless draw with the Poles and struggled to a 2-2 draw with Cameroon. They were tied with Armenia 1-1 after a 69th minute penalty, then unleashed a blitzkrieg on their guests, scoring 5 times in 18 minutes to end up with a 6-1 win. Let's hope this is what snaps them to life, because they have free-fallen the most in my mind since the draw was announced. I had them as best threats to Brazil as recently as a few months ago. This is one play I'd like to have back, especially looking at the Portuguese last night. Alas, it stands, so maybe I can still get lucky and win it.
I will be adding to this thread as more plays pop up. I will also be betting live quite frequently, and will try to post when time allows it, especially if I make halftime plays. It's a real exciting time, and good luck to all the lads with your plays. Looking forward to any insight anyone wants to share in here with me, as well. Let's do it!
:goal:
:shake:
Last year, when I had some money and wasn't getting mauled, I bet seven games at Pinnacle's opening line. I'm talking December 6th, the day of the freakin draw. I was ready then with my own prices as soon as I saw the first fixtures and bet these on impulse. Here are those plays. The limit at the time was a dime each, which I bet on all of these at that time.
Cameroon +0.5 -111 and OVER 2.25 +102.
This was an impulse play AGAINST Mexico on all fronts. Beating New Zealand 9-3 didn't fool me. This Mexican team is a very flawed one and really did not deserve to make this trip. Anyone who watched the Hexagonal even half as closely as I did would agree. I obviously got the best of the number on the side. This Cameroon side is not considered a strong one but they should be able to generate some offense against a suspect Mexico backline. I am not sure what happened on the total, it's astonishingly been bet down and I will consider going for more on the OVER, as I think each side is good for at least one goal at the very least. Would love to hear any input for those who follow these teams and can give me a bit of strategic insight.
Holland/Spain UNDER 2.5 -126.
I did very good here, even before I knew the Dutch coach was going to implement some sort of a variation of a 5-3-2. Spain wins all their games in these sorts of competitions 1-0, and Holland will be content to let them kick it around with no purpose for a half before getting impatient and going on the attack. A 0-0 halftime score with no action might lend itself for me to getting involved in a live OVER 1 bet at even money or better when it pops (might not til 48th or 49th minute).
Japan PICK +109 vs. Ivory Coast.
Didn't do so well here; it's moved against me 5-6 cents. I still like the play, as I think the teams are fairly even but Honda and Kagawa are two studs with great technical quality in the midfield and that should sway things in their favor. I like Zaccheroni and the Italian's ability to adjust on the fly will give them a big advantage at halftime, as well. Won't go any deeper than the dime I've already invested but I don't feel bad about the play at all.
Honduras +1.5 -101 vs. France.
Got the best of the number, which is always the goal. Now just have to win the game. Never know what you'll get from the Frogs at these sorts of events but they seemed to be a bit more cohesive in their last friendly and could be improving at the right time. Still think they can struggle with the physicality of Honduras, as this is an awfully large number. The Hondos struggled in their friendlies with the Turks and the Onthespot before battling the English to a 0-0 draw in Miami. The game featured a straight red on Beckeles and a total of seven separate yellow cards. They sit deep, are organized, and though they're not favored to score, will be hard pressed to concede twice.
Bosnia & Herzegovina +1.25 +113 vs. Argentina.
Consider me one of the few folks I know that doesn't have an Argentine cock sticking out of my mouth in this event. I'm far from sold on them being one of the best two or three teams and see little chance of them even reaching the semis, let alone the final. Another game where I got way the best of the number and would love a much bigger bet than I currently have (yes, I will consider going for more). I am a bit concerned about this play, however, because of Bosnia's tactical change that happened within just the last couple of months. They were playing an ultra-aggressive 4-1-3-2 but Safet Susic has now made an adjustment, inserting holding midfielder Besic for second striker Vedad Ibisevic. Because Besic could play center back, he literally swapped a defender for an attacker. Dzeko and Pjanic are as good of a No. 9 and No. 10 as you'll see in this event. On defense, they will battle, even if they lack for certain skills. The goaltender is excellent, and will need to be be because Argentina will create chances.
Germany -0.5 -109 vs. Portugal.
Got the best of this one for awhile, but the Germans went into a funk and didn't snap out of it until 20 minutes remained in their very last friendly. They played a scoreless draw with the Poles and struggled to a 2-2 draw with Cameroon. They were tied with Armenia 1-1 after a 69th minute penalty, then unleashed a blitzkrieg on their guests, scoring 5 times in 18 minutes to end up with a 6-1 win. Let's hope this is what snaps them to life, because they have free-fallen the most in my mind since the draw was announced. I had them as best threats to Brazil as recently as a few months ago. This is one play I'd like to have back, especially looking at the Portuguese last night. Alas, it stands, so maybe I can still get lucky and win it.
I will be adding to this thread as more plays pop up. I will also be betting live quite frequently, and will try to post when time allows it, especially if I make halftime plays. It's a real exciting time, and good luck to all the lads with your plays. Looking forward to any insight anyone wants to share in here with me, as well. Let's do it!
:goal:
:shake:
