World Cup **Sweet 16 Stage** Discussion

[Toronto_Mike]

Do you really think that the asian books you are "seeing" are really "releasing" their closing lines to the world? Please tell me you don't buy that because it's rubbish. I assumed you were way smarter and/or above that? There is 0 chance they are going to show you slappers the real lines at close and let you reverse engineer that. I've got nothing else to say on the topic :shake:

I will PM you shortly

 

[CollegeKingRex]

braves, believe it or not these wanks are betting ON CR now but it could be a facade, I lean Greece at this level but good luck finding goals in that fiasco. It will be as bad as everyone anticipates. Right total is 1.5 flat

 

[Son_of_Balrog]

Circa Urban Dictionary: slapper
an ugly girl whose main priority in life is to get fucked!

 

[CollegeKingRex]

I will PM you shortly

:shake: going to bed, i will reply in the morning sir, cheers

 

[CollegeKingRex]

http://www.cappingthegame.com/forum/showthread.php?101759-CKR-s-First-Round-World-Cup/page2

post 46

:shake:

g'nite mates...

 

[braves]

braves, believe it or not these wanks are betting ON CR now but it could be a facade, I lean Greece at this level but good luck finding goals in that fiasco. It will be as bad as everyone anticipates. Right total is 1.5 flat

Im on Greece pk, +1/2 ...Can't resist the price in a game that I predict will be low scoring, plus Im not entirely sure who dictates the game, but worry if CR can break them down. A tight affair probably favors Greece, but Costa Rica could do something similar to what they did when they went into Azteca last year

 

[Toronto_Mike]

[video=youtube;DXFNrcsXPCQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXFNrcsXPCQ[/video]

 

[Son_of_Balrog]

balrog i am scared sir that we might be somehow related, were you born in Indiana to step-parents somehow? It's semi-scary at how often we agree. I like your Swiss also at this price. Working on writeups for them games later or prolly tomorrow, cheers

Close, Born in shit hole Missouri. It's like Indiana without the awesome, especially in the basketball department. Just a guy who gets futball a little bit that was very skeptical about Argentina's price considering how bad they've had to rely on messi. Until tomorrow. GO CHILE!

 

[Toronto_Mike]

[video=youtube;gGMC6xib6bo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGMC6xib6bo[/video]

 

[braves]

lol

 

[Son_of_Balrog]

Greek segment A+

 

[Toronto_Mike]

Japan and Cote D'Ivoire largest penis size differential LOL

 

[Toronto_Mike]

[video=youtube;GR5zq8pDmBw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GR5zq8pDmBw&list=UUi7GJNg51C3jgmYTUwqoUXA[/video]

 

[ArizonaKid]

I'm not sure how anyone can like Greece, they have 2 goals and one was a giveaway setting up a one on one w/ the goalie and the other was the last second PK...they have no business being here. Costa Rica looked far better in group play and gave up 1 goal via PK vs Uruguay (sans Suarez), Italy, and England. I strongly believe that if CR changed jerseys and went out there w/ Paraguay on their chest nobody would give Greece a chance in hell of winning. This team in qualifying beat the USA 3-1 and Mexico 2-1 @ home while drawing @ Azteca and losing 1-0 @ USA in a damn blizzard.

 

[Toronto_Mike]

I'm not sure how anyone can like Greece, they have 2 goals and one was a giveaway setting up a one on one w/ the goalie and the other was the last second PK...they have no business being here. Costa Rica looked far better in group play and gave up 1 goal via PK vs Uruguay (sans Suarez), Italy, and England. I strongly believe that if CR changed jerseys and went out there w/ Paraguay on their chest nobody would give Greece a chance in hell of winning. This team in qualifying beat the USA 3-1 and Mexico 2-1 @ home while drawing @ Azteca and losing 1-0 @ USA in a damn blizzard.

Here's the thing, did you fully expect CR to play the way they have prior to WC? I don't even think CKR thought so he did mention they would be tough but to top that group?
Whereas prior to WC we all know how offensively challenge the Greeks are and how they enjoy playing anti football, so really we aren't surprised by this. The thing is who is really playing the way they have always played and is nothing new? The Greeks have done this numerous of times and will be the most unenjoyable team to watch but they do what they need to do to get through. CR now have to face a wall of a defence and if they go down 0-1 they are in big big trouble. The key note here is that at the price given for the Greeks that's pretty damn good when automatically your goal is just to play not to lose. As fast as the CR players close down their opposition this pace is going to be such a snails pace that perhaps it's best suited for the Greeks?

I'm not sure if referencing the Ticos win against the US and Mexico at home is going to really be a big deal here. It would be a bit like comparing teams in Champs League and see what divisions they play and how they fare in domestic league. I could say that the Ticos had a mental fart vs the Japanese some how leading 1-0 and then losing 1-3. They loss to Australia and got demolished by Chile, yes all friendlies but hey that team looked different to what they do now. Don't forget that Mexico sucked ass during the qualifiers, Ticos also loss to Honduras so really we can't just base their history on 2 games. Greeks are built for a tournament whereas this is a huge step for CR. So far Jorge Pinto has been a tactical genius now it's a bit of a different story when you are the slight favs as oppose to being the big underdogs.

 

[Toronto_Mike]

interesting note that the last team to have had such success as an underdog but to only then lose as a slight fav was Senegal in 2002, underdogs in all 3 of their group matches, underdogs to Sweden in L16 but then were slight favs to Turkey in Q-Finals and loss.

 

[Toronto_Mike]

that France ass kicking the Swiss got is probably a blessing in disguise for Swiss bettors.

 

[braves]

I'm not sure how anyone can like Greece, they have 2 goals and one was a giveaway setting up a one on one w/ the goalie and the other was the last second PK...they have no business being here. Costa Rica looked far better in group play and gave up 1 goal via PK vs Uruguay (sans Suarez), Italy, and England. I strongly believe that if CR changed jerseys and went out there w/ Paraguay on their chest nobody would give Greece a chance in hell of winning. This team in qualifying beat the USA 3-1 and Mexico 2-1 @ home while drawing @ Azteca and losing 1-0 @ USA in a damn blizzard.

 

[braves]

fail...

One Word

GEORGE

 

[Son_of_Balrog]

Two Words: GO YANKS!

[video=youtube;0vUc17A0SNY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vUc17A0SNY[/video]

 

[Lareux]

Thus that's why I think cards could be a great bet here just not sure about the ref, definitely would like manu's insight here. Chippy affairs bound to happen. Wonder if anyone has a stat on the yellow cards rate in knockout stages? certainly has to have some time wasting in there some how?

[h=3]By match[/h] [TABLE="class: wikitable sortable jquery-tablesorter"]
[TR]
[TH="class: headerSort"]Day[/TH]
[TH="class: headerSort"]Home[/TH]
[TH="class: headerSort"]Score[/TH]
[TH="class: headerSort"]Away[/TH]
[TH="class: headerSort"]Round[/TH]
[TH="class: headerSort"]Referee[/TH]
[TH="class: headerSort"]Total cards[/TH]
[TH="class: headerSort"]

[/TH]
[TH="class: headerSort"]

[/TH]
[TH="class: headerSort"]

[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH="colspan: 10"]Group stage[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 1[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Brazil

[/TD]
[TD]3 – 1[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Croatia[/TD]
[TD]Group A[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Yuichi Nishimura[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 2[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Mexico

[/TD]
[TD]1 – 0[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Cameroon[/TD]
[TD]Group A[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Wilmar Roldán[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 2[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Spain

[/TD]
[TD]1 – 5[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Netherlands[/TD]
[TD]Group B[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Nicola Rizzoli[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 2[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Chile

[/TD]
[TD]3 – 1[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Australia[/TD]
[TD]Group B[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Noumandiez Doué[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 3[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Colombia

[/TD]
[TD]3 – 0[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Greece[/TD]
[TD]Group C[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Mark Geiger[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 3[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Uruguay

[/TD]
[TD]1 – 3[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Costa Rica[/TD]
[TD]Group D[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Felix Brych[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 3[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]England

[/TD]
[TD]1 – 2[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Italy[/TD]
[TD]Group D[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Björn Kuipers[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 3[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Ivory Coast

[/TD]
[TD]2 – 1[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Japan[/TD]
[TD]Group C[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Enrique Osses[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 4[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Switzerland

[/TD]
[TD]2 – 1[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Ecuador[/TD]
[TD]Group E[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Ravshan Irmatov[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 4[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]France

[/TD]
[TD]3 – 0[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Honduras[/TD]
[TD]Group E[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Sandro Ricci[/TD]
[TD]8[/TD]
[TD]7[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 4[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Argentina

[/TD]
[TD]2 – 1[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Bosnia and Herzegovina[/TD]
[TD]Group F[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Joel Aguilar[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 5[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Germany

[/TD]
[TD]4 – 0[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Portugal[/TD]
[TD]Group G[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Milorad Mažić[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 5[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Iran

[/TD]
[TD]0 – 0[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Nigeria[/TD]
[TD]Group F[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Carlos Vera[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 5[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Ghana

[/TD]
[TD]1 – 2[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

United States[/TD]
[TD]Group G[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Jonas Eriksson[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 6[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Belgium

[/TD]
[TD]2 – 1[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Algeria[/TD]
[TD]Group H[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Marco Rodríguez[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 6[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Brazil

[/TD]
[TD]0 – 0[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Mexico[/TD]
[TD]Group A[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Cüneyt Çakır[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 6[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Russia

[/TD]
[TD]1 – 1[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

South Korea[/TD]
[TD]Group H[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Néstor Pitana[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 7[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Australia

[/TD]
[TD]2 – 3[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Netherlands[/TD]
[TD]Group B[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Djamel Haimoudi[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 7[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Spain

[/TD]
[TD]0 – 2[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Chile[/TD]
[TD]Group B[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Mark Geiger[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 7[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Cameroon

[/TD]
[TD]0 – 4[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Croatia[/TD]
[TD]Group A[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Pedro Proença[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 8[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Colombia

[/TD]
[TD]2 – 1[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Ivory Coast[/TD]
[TD]Group C[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Howard Webb[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 8[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Uruguay

[/TD]
[TD]2 – 1[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

England[/TD]
[TD]Group D[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Carlos Velasco Carballo[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 8[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Japan

[/TD]
[TD]0 – 0[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Greece[/TD]
[TD]Group C[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Joel Aguilar[/TD]
[TD]6[/TD]
[TD]5[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 9[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Italy

[/TD]
[TD]0 – 1[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Costa Rica[/TD]
[TD]Group D[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Enrique Osses[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 9[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Switzerland

[/TD]
[TD]2 – 5[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

France[/TD]
[TD]Group E[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Björn Kuipers[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 9[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Honduras

[/TD]
[TD]1 – 2[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Ecuador[/TD]
[TD]Group E[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Ben Williams[/TD]
[TD]5[/TD]
[TD]5[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 10[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Argentina

[/TD]
[TD]1 – 0[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Iran[/TD]
[TD]Group F[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Milorad Mažić[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 10[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Germany

[/TD]
[TD]2 – 2[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Ghana[/TD]
[TD]Group G[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Sandro Ricci[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 10[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Nigeria

[/TD]
[TD]1 – 0[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Bosnia and Herzegovina[/TD]
[TD]Group F[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Peter O'Leary[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 11[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Belgium

[/TD]
[TD]1 – 0[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Russia[/TD]
[TD]Group H[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Felix Brych[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 11[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]South Korea

[/TD]
[TD]2 – 4[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Algeria[/TD]
[TD]Group H[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Wilmar Roldán[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 11[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]United States

[/TD]
[TD]2 – 2[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Portugal[/TD]
[TD]Group G[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Néstor Pitana[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 12[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Australia

[/TD]
[TD]0 – 3[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Spain[/TD]
[TD]Group B[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Nawaf Shukralla[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 12[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Netherlands

[/TD]
[TD]2 – 0[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Chile[/TD]
[TD]Group B[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Bakary Gassama[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 12[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Cameroon

[/TD]
[TD]1 – 4[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Brazil[/TD]
[TD]Group A[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Jonas Eriksson[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 12[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Croatia

[/TD]
[TD]1 – 3[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Mexico[/TD]
[TD]Group A[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Ravshan Irmatov[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 13[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Italy

[/TD]
[TD]0 – 1[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Uruguay[/TD]
[TD]Group D[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Marco Rodríguez[/TD]
[TD]5[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 13[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Costa Rica

[/TD]
[TD]0 – 0[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

England[/TD]
[TD]Group D[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Djamel Haimoudi[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 13[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Japan

[/TD]
[TD]1 – 4[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Colombia[/TD]
[TD]Group C[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Pedro Proença[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 13[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Greece

[/TD]
[TD]2 – 1[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Ivory Coast[/TD]
[TD]Group C[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Carlos Vera[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 14[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Nigeria

[/TD]
[TD]2 – 3[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Argentina[/TD]
[TD]Group F[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Nicola Rizzoli[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 14[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Bosnia and Herz.

[/TD]
[TD]3 – 1[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Iran[/TD]
[TD]Group F[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Carlos Velasco Carballo[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 14[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Honduras

[/TD]
[TD]0 – 3[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Switzerland[/TD]
[TD]Group E[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Néstor Pitana[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 14[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Ecuador

[/TD]
[TD]0 – 0[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

France[/TD]
[TD]Group E[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Noumandiez Doué[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 15[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]United States

[/TD]
[TD]0 – 1[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Germany[/TD]
[TD]Group G[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Ravshan Irmatov[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 15[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Portugal

[/TD]
[TD]2 – 1[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Ghana[/TD]
[TD]Group G[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Nawaf Shukralla[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 15[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]South Korea

[/TD]
[TD]0 – 1[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Belgium[/TD]
[TD]Group H[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Ben Williams[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Day 15[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]Algeria

[/TD]
[TD]1 – 1[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Russia[/TD]
[TD]Group H[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] Cüneyt Çakır[/TD]
[TD]5[/TD]
[TD]5[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

[Lareux]

[h=3]By referee[/h] [TABLE="class: wikitable sortable jquery-tablesorter"]
[TR]
[TH="class: headerSort"]Referee[/TH]
[TH="class: headerSort"]Country[/TH]
[TH="class: headerSort"]Matches[/TH]
[TH="class: headerSort"] Red[/TH]
[TH="class: headerSort"] Yellow[/TH]
[TH="class: headerSort"]Red Cards[/TH]
[TH="class: headerSort"]PKs awarded[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]Ravshan Irmatov[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Uzbekistan[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]8[/TD]
[TD]1 straight red[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]Néstor Pitana[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Argentina[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]6[/TD]
[TD="class: table-na, align: center"]N/A[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]Sandro Ricci[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Brazil[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]8[/TD]
[TD]1 second yellow[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]Joel Aguilar[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

El Salvador[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]7[/TD]
[TD]1 second yellow[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]Ben Williams[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Australia[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]7[/TD]
[TD]1 straight red[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]Felix Brych[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Germany[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]6[/TD]
[TD]1 straight red[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]Marco Rodríguez[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Mexico[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]6[/TD]
[TD]1 straight red[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]Noumandiez Doué[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Ivory Coast[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]5[/TD]
[TD]1 straight red[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]Milorad Mažić[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Serbia[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]1 straight red[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]Pedro Proença[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Portugal[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]1 straight red[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]Cüneyt Çakır[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Turkey[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]9[/TD]
[TD="class: table-na, align: center"]N/A[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]Nawaf Shukralla[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Bahrain[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]7[/TD]
[TD="class: table-na, align: center"]N/A[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]Nicola Rizzoli[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Italy[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]6[/TD]
[TD="class: table-na, align: center"]N/A[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]Mark Geiger[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

United States[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]6[/TD]
[TD="class: table-na, align: center"]N/A[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]Enrique Osses[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Chile[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]6[/TD]
[TD="class: table-na, align: center"]N/A[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]Jonas Eriksson[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Sweden[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]5[/TD]
[TD="class: table-na, align: center"]N/A[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]Djamel Haimoudi[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Algeria[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]5[/TD]
[TD="class: table-na, align: center"]N/A[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]Wilmar Roldán[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Colombia[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]5[/TD]
[TD="class: table-na, align: center"]N/A[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]Carlos Vera[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Ecuador[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD="class: table-na, align: center"]N/A[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]Carlos Velasco Carballo[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Spain[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD="class: table-na, align: center"]N/A[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]Björn Kuipers[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Netherlands[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD="class: table-na, align: center"]N/A[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]Yuichi Nishimura[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Japan[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD="class: table-na, align: center"]N/A[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]Bakary Gassama[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

Gambia[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD="class: table-na, align: center"]N/A[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]Peter O'Leary[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

New Zealand[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD="class: table-na, align: center"]N/A[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]Howard Webb[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]

England[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD="class: table-na, align: center"]N/A[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

[Lareux]

If the cards prop is always at 4.5 (it's prob not, but I only saw 4.5 when I saw them), only 7 out of 48 matches would have cashed the OVER, using 2 for a red and 1 for a yellow.

No referee had more than 1 OVER result in the group stage.

 

[braves]

good stuff lareux, thanks

 

[Monger]

Those Triumph videos were great.

 

[BetCrimes1984]

I'm not sure how anyone can like Greece, they have 2 goals and one was a giveaway setting up a one on one w/ the goalie and the other was the last second PK...they have no business being here. Costa Rica looked far better in group play and gave up 1 goal via PK vs Uruguay (sans Suarez), Italy, and England. I strongly believe that if CR changed jerseys and went out there w/ Paraguay on their chest nobody would give Greece a chance in hell of winning. This team in qualifying beat the USA 3-1 and Mexico 2-1 @ home while drawing @ Azteca and losing 1-0 @ USA in a damn blizzard.

I think you should reflect on the nature of the odds for this game after expressing a sentiment like that. They're hardly an overwhelming endorsement of CR having all but booked a place in the last 8.

Costa Rica has scored in just 2 of 6 halves (Greece has done the same), and outside of their best scoring half (3 goals) they managed a meagre 1 goal over those 5 other halves. CR's offense isn't Colombia's offense. Yet excise that 1 half by Colombia (2nd, scored 2 goals), and the Greeks are seen to have only conceded 2 goals over 5 other halves (1 to Col, 1 to IC). What says CR is going to have too many guns for the Greeks to contain? IMO Greece could manage a 1-0 reg. win, can certainly force extras after a scoreless first 90. You get to extras, then it's lottery time.

Certainly on paper CR has done the group work to warrant being the fav, but England & Italy had 1 win between themselves, and outside of their own meeting managed 1 combined goal in 4 other games: they showed nothing like their historical name value suggested they would or could. Hindsight says that group on the pitch wasn't nearly as strong as it looked on paper = cue CR winning the group. We get to see the Uruguay/Colombia game before this game gets played, so it's going to be interesting to see what that result might tell us about respective group strengths (although obv. a knockout match is a different atmosphere than a group game, so whatever the result it won't be any foolproof guide).

 

[BetCrimes1984]

I looked at the venues results to date in light of the Last 16 matches they're about to host.

BRA/CHI - Belo Horizonte: 7 goals (2 in 1st h) @1.75 gpg / 2 fav wins, 1 draw
COL/URU - Rio de Janeiro: 6 goals (2 in 1st h) @1.50 gpg / 1 fav win, 1 draw
HOL/MEX - Fortaleza: 11 goals (2 in 1st h) @2.75 gpg / 0 fav wins, 2 draws
CRA/GRE - Recife: 9 goals (2 in 1st h) @2.25 gpg / 3 fav wins, 0 draws
FRA/*** - Brasilia: 14 goals (5 in 1st h) @3.50 gpg / 4 fav wins, 0 draws
GER/ALG - Porto Alegre: 19 goals (9 in 1st h) @4.75 gpg / 4 fav wins, 0 draws
ARG/SWI - Sao Paulo: 10 goals (3 in 1st h) @2.50 gpg / 3 fav wins, 0 draws
BEL/USA - Salvador: 21 goals (9 in 1st h) @5.25 gpg / 3 fav wins, 0 draws

(a) Every single one of venues for the last 5 Last 16 matches individually hosted at least as many fav SU winners as the venues for the first 3 Last 16 matches combined to see during the group stage (3 total fav winners in 12 games). Fortaleza has truly been the graveyard of favourites in this WC (& will host a QF as well).

(b) 2 venues (Porto Alegre & Salvador) combine to account for 41.2% of the total goals scored at these 8 venues during the group stage. One might think this is simply the quirk of the nature of the fixtures each venue got given (after all, we're only talking 8 total games). But the 2nd highest scoring venue (Porto Alegre) hosted matches from the 3rd & 2nd overall lowest scoring groups, and produced the highest scoring match from those respective groups (Group H totaled only 15 goals, 3rd lowest: 40% of that total came when Algeria beat S.Korea 4-2 - Group F totaled only 14 goals, 2nd lowest: 35.7% of that total came when Argentina beat Nigeria 3-2), and Salvador hosted a match from the 2nd lowest scoring group to produce that group's 2nd highest scoring match (again Group F's 14 goals, 2nd lowest: 28.6% of that total came when Bosnia beat Iran 3-1). Neither of these venues hosted a game from the lowest scoring group (D).

(c) Someone must've forgotten to tell Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte this was a high scoring WC. The gpg averages for those 2 venues would've found a smug fit with the 2010 tournament.

 

[BetCrimes1984]

Something to be careful about is assuming either (1) the rate of scoring from the group stage is more or less replicated the knockout stage, or (2) falls away from the group stage rate because the knockout atmosphere brings defense to the fore. There have been 7 World Cups now that have featured a knockout format starting with a last 16 (first featured in the 1986 WC). Looking at the group stage/knockout stage splits of those WC...

1986 @Mexico
6 groups stage - 84 goals in 36 games = 2.33 gpg
knockout stage - 48 goals in 16 games = 3.00 gpg

1990 @Italy
6 groups stage - 82 goals in 36 games = 2.28 gpg
knockout stage - 33 goals in 16 games = 2.06 gpg

1994 @USA
6 groups stage - 93 goals in 36 games = 2.58 gpg
knockout stage - 48 goals in 16 games = 3.00 gpg

1998 @France
8 groups stage - 126 goals in 48 games = 2.62 gpg
knockout stage - 45 goals in 16 games = 2.81 gpg

2002 @S.Korea & Japan
8 groups stage - 130 goals in 48 games = 2.71 gpg
knockout stage - 31 goals in 16 games = 1.94 gpg

2006 @Germany
8 groups stage - 117 goals in 48 games = 2.44 gpg
knockout stage - 30 goals in 16 games = 1.87 gpg

2010 @South Africa
8 groups stage - 101 goals in 48 games = 2.10 gpg
knockout stage - 44 goals in 16 games = 2.75 gpg

2014 @Brazil
8 groups stage - 136 goals in 48 games = 2.83 gpg
knockout stage - ??

Looking at these figures, although we only have a stat pool of 7 Cups to draw from, we already have a range of results that basically cover the spectrum of possibilities...

A low scoring group stage in 1990 gave way to a low scoring knockout phase.
Low scoring group stages in 1986 & 2010 gave way to high scoring knockout phases.
A high scoring group stage in 1998 gave way to a high scoring knockout phase.
A high scoring group stage in 2002 gave way to a low scoring knockout phase.
A decent scoring group stage in 2006 gave way to a low scoring knockout phase.
A decent scoring group stage in 1994 gave way to a high scoring knockout phase.

Brazil's 2.83 gpg avg. is a higher group stage average than any of these 7 previous Cups, so my immediate thought is to expect some sort of dip, esp. as 2 of the 3 lowest scoring venues will host 5 of the 16 remaining fixtures (Rio de Janeiro & Belo Horizonte have hosted 16.7% of the matches played yet account for just 9.5% of the total goals scored).

 

[Toronto_Mike]

If the cards prop is always at 4.5 (it's prob not, but I only saw 4.5 when I saw them), only 7 out of 48 matches would have cashed the OVER, using 2 for a red and 1 for a yellow.

No referee had more than 1 OVER result in the group stage.

damn really thought some of these refs would be card happy!

 

[dylanphan]

If the cards prop is always at 4.5 (it's prob not, but I only saw 4.5 when I saw them), only 7 out of 48 matches would have cashed the OVER, using 2 for a red and 1 for a yellow.

No referee had more than 1 OVER result in the group stage.

FWIW, in live betting around the 15-20 or so, they have the cards at 2.5
I've hit the last 4 games in a row doing this. Would definitely not bet cards pre-game.

 

[dylanphan]

Costa Rica was pegged at -360 to finish rock bottom of their group.
I played Australia to finish rock bottom at -345 and really was sweating out that game vs spain cause that would sucked if they managed to only draw.
I considered playing Costa Rica too, but decided the juice was a bit too high - but never could I have imagined a scenario where they would have finished as well as they did, nor been a favorite in the next round.
I'm not very high on Greece, but they've had plenty of successes on the international stage before and I'm pretty sure I'll play them.

Todays game don't have much heavy interest for me. Although I think Chile has a good team, I can't see Brazil getting knocked out just yet. I think there'll be tons of diving, begging for calls for both teams today. Game is all in the refs hands in that one, as a given free kick here, a shook off free kick there can really turn the outcome of the game in a hurry. Although home advantage isn't supposed to come into play, it will. There'd be riots if Brazil got ousted on a dodgy call, so I think they get the benefit of the doubt.
Maybe a second half over play, or in-play bet for me, will need to see how the game plays out a bit.
Colombia been playing absolutely fantastically, and Uruguay without Suarez will be a team without much bite to it (yeah, I said it). Squarest play on the board seems to be Colombia to win. At +108 I took that very, very small just for interest. I do think Colombia wins, but something smells fishy about it all to me, tbh. I would like to see where the money comes in on this game before pushing a fistful of bucks into it. I didn't like Uruguay pre-tournament, so I will not go against my gut here now, but if I expect the line to be about -125/-130 or so and I'm getting + odds, well, something tells me I'm probably missing something.

 

[GWarner27]

Damn did Uruguay get bet hard today? Best I can see on the +1/2 is -117

 

[GWarner27]

Went o2.75 (+103)

 

[BetCrimes1984]

This thread has to this point understandably been heavy on discussing the first 2 days/4 games, time to turn (more) attention to looking at Fra/***, Ger/Alg, Arg/Swi & of course the US's stroll past Belgium

To reiterate an early post of mine re the venues -

FRA/*** - Brasilia: 14 goals (5 in 1st h) @3.50 gpg / 4 fav wins, 0 draws
GER/ALG - Porto Alegre: 19 goals (9 in 1st h) @4.75 gpg / 4 fav wins, 0 draws
ARG/SWI - Sao Paulo: 10 goals (3 in 1st h) @2.50 gpg / 3 fav wins, 0 draws
BEL/USA - Salvador: 21 goals (9 in 1st h) @5.25 gpg / 3 fav wins, 0 draws

(a) The German & French venues have yet to see a dog win or draw in regulation.

(b) 2 venues (Porto Alegre & Salvador) combine to account for 41.2% of the total goals scored at these 8 Last 16 venues during the group stage. One might think this is simply the quirk of the nature of the fixtures each venue got given (after all, we're only talking 8 total games). But the 2nd highest scoring venue (Porto Alegre) hosted matches from the 3rd & 2nd overall lowest scoring groups, and produced the highest scoring match from those respective groups (Group H totaled only 15 goals, 3rd lowest: 40% of that total came when Algeria beat S.Korea 4-2 - Group F totaled only 14 goals, 2nd lowest: 35.7% of that total came when Argentina beat Nigeria 3-2), and Salvador hosted a match from the 2nd lowest scoring group to produce that group's 2nd highest scoring match (again Group F's 14 goals, 2nd lowest: 28.6% of that total came when Bosnia beat Iran 3-1). Neither of these venues hosted a game from the lowest scoring group (D).

 

[braves]

I didn't see the Belgium/Algeria game, but I think that may be a good reference game for the Germany one.

I know Algeria scored off a PK, and they pretty much sat back after that??, but did Algeria pose any threat on the counter against Belgium?

games don't seem great on paper, but sometimes those are the best ones, lets hope

 

[ArizonaKid]

Well France clearly outclass Nigeria and price reflects that...perhaps a France -1 worthy of a play. If it's 0-0 at half I will be all over the 2H over.

I think Germany takes Algeria to school...puts up 4 imo.

I have not been impressed at all by Argentina. I think the Swiss +1 is worth a look but I love the over in this one...neither side defensively has looked very good.

What is the status of Company for Belgium ?? if he is out that's a massive loss and feel good about the USA's chances to advance.

 

[KJ]

Off the cuff like France -1, Algeria +1.5, Swiss +1, US +.5

Issues I see with these:

France can get frustrated by physical play, if they succumb early to the Nigerian style it could be an ugly game. They were a monster fade for me coming into the WC and that was clearly the wrong attitude. I'm buying, but reluctantly.

Algeria could fall into the "just happy to be here" mindset and get housed. I lean toward Germans having a closer call than expected, more of a wake up than anything on their way to the finals. Like the 1.5 here.

Argies were my faves to win the Cup, but I figured Aguero to play a bit of a factor and that hasn't happened. I'll still stick with em, but reluctant there as well. I actually like the Swiss quite a bit, and if Messi can be neutralized at all, the Swiss can very well find themselves in this game at the 80 minute mark. Won't be shocked to see a Swiss victory in extras, pressure on Argies against a very capable side.

Belgium/US game I see as 1-0 or 0-0, I'll gladly take the .5. Belgium a very talented squad but they've not proven anything yet and will be green in this kind of environment. Very interesting game, I'm not drinking the homer koolaid as I think the US is very fortunate to have advanced, having been outplayed by Ghana and Germany, but somehow shockingly outplaying Portugal. Strange path for sure, and a more talented (at virtually every position) Belgium squad that had pre-tournament hype should be motivation enough for a 90 minute result. US loses 1-0, so be it, but I like the .5.

 

[KJ]

Last I heard Kompany is extremely unlikely to play on Tuesday

 

[ArizonaKid]

I didn't see the Belgium/Algeria game, but I think that may be a good reference game for the Germany one.

I know Algeria scored off a PK, and they pretty much sat back after that??, but did Algeria pose any threat on the counter against Belgium?

games don't seem great on paper, but sometimes those are the best ones, lets hope

Algeria didn't do shit besides the PK...1 shot on goal and only 3 shots total w/ 35% possession. Got to give them credit for coming back and drawing w/ Russia to advance but they are clearly outclassed here. I think Germany wins 4-1.

 

[BetCrimes1984]

braves, for some unknown reason Algeria lost their heads late and decided they could score the winner, it left them open at the back & that's how Belgium won. If Algeria had played as defensively as they had for most of the game up until then (deliberate tactics), they'd have gotten out of it w/a point. But outside of their penalty, they never really looked likely on offense.

They've only given up 1 1st half goal (vs. 4 2nd half ones), and while their history with Germany is hardly anything like extensive, it can't do anything but inspire them (if our forebears can do it, why can't we?).

[TABLE="class: sortable"]
[TR]
[TH="class: header"]Date
[/TH]
[TH="class: header"]Match
[/TH]
[TH="class: header"]Result
[/TH]
[TH="class: header"]Score
[/TH]
[TH="class: header"]Competition
[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]01 Jan 1964
[/TD]
[TD]Algeria v West Germany
[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]W
[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]2-0
[/TD]
[TD]International
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]16 Jun 1982
[/TD]
[TD]Algeria v West Germany
[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]W
[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]2-1
[/TD]
[TD]FIFA World Cup
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]30 Jun 2014
[/TD]
[TD]Germany v Algeria
[/TD]
[TD="align: center"][/TD]
[TD="align: center"][/TD]
[TD]FIFA World Cup
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]


I've not been impressed with Germany (relative to the recent German sides who made at least the semis in the last 3 WC), but obv. it's hard to believe an upset is possible here. Algeria +1.5 might be worth a look, but I expect 1 hammering tomorrow. If France struggle in the early game, then I'd shy off such thoughts.

 

[BetCrimes1984]

Algeria didn't do shit besides the PK...1 shot on goal and only 3 shots total w/ 35% possession. Got to give them credit for coming back and drawing w/ Russia to advance but they are clearly outclassed here. I think Germany wins 4-1.

Algeria didn't do shit after the pk because they tried to nurse their lead home for the win, that accounts for Belgium having all the ball. Belgium took 70 mins to break them down and score their first goal, and as I just mentioned in my previous post, if Algeria's players hadn't lost their heads late they'd have come out of that game w/a draw. Germany in for a frustrating game unless they can grab an early goal and force the Africans to attack.

 

[BetCrimes1984]

Playing Devil's advocate for Algeria. Germany...

- in 192 mins of play against 11 men, they've managed all of 1 1st half goal (to 0), and 3 2nd half goals (to 2). That's an average of 0.93 goals for per 45 mins, vs. 0.47 goals against.

- They needed a fabulous strike to beat the US, the kind of strike you simply don't get every game played

- They trailed Ghana after an hour, and were fortunate their opponent was clueless with regards to knowing how to park the bus otherwise they could easily have lost that match.

Nothing I've seen from Algeria suggests they are any worse than Ghana or the US. They manhandled Sth Korea impressively in a must win fixture, and showed guts to draw with Russia after going down early. Their defense frustrated Belgium for a long time, I don't see - barring an early goal against upsetting their approach - why it shouldn't frustrate a German team that hasn't lit it up vs. 11 men.

 

[ArizonaKid]

Switzerland's last match was in Manaus. Hasn't been a good place to come out of...teams after playing there are 1-5 (Portugal the W) with 5 GF and 12 GA.

 

[ArizonaKid]

Playing Devil's advocate for Algeria. Germany...

- in 192 mins of play against 11 men, they've managed all of 1 1st half goal (to 0), and 3 2nd half goals (to 2). That's an average of 0.93 goals for per 45 mins, vs. 0.47 goals against.

- They needed a fabulous strike to beat the US, the kind of strike you simply don't get every game played

- They trailed Ghana after an hour, and were fortunate their opponent was clueless with regards to knowing how to park the bus otherwise they could easily have lost that match.

Nothing I've seen from Algeria suggests they are any worse than Ghana or the US. They manhandled Sth Korea impressively in a must win fixture, and showed guts to draw with Russia after going down early. Their defense frustrated Belgium for a long time, I don't see - barring an early goal against upsetting their approach - why it shouldn't frustrate a German team that hasn't lit it up vs. 11 men.

Sounds kinda similar 2010...4-0 over Australia (scored 2 v 10 men), lost 1-0 to Serbia (went down a man)...won 1-0 over Ghana....Germany not looking so good yada yada yada...then proceeded to blast England and Argentina 8-1 before succumbing to the eventual champs Spain in the semi's 1-0.

 

[BetCrimes1984]

then proceeded to blast England

if England were awarded their perfectly good goal just before h/t to make it 2-2 instead of the 2-1 it ended up being (no goal line technology back then), that game would've played out entirely differently. As it was, the English players consequently having to play catch-up football in the 2nd half (including a Rooney fk only stopped by the crossbar) meant they were murdered twice on the counterattack.

That's aside from the fact that I'd take that German side over this one 24/7/365 (Klose was a starter/4 years younger & Podolski performed much better, for starters).

 

[Skoalmint]

Switzerland's last match was in Manaus. Hasn't been a good place to come out of...teams after playing there are 1-5 (Portugal the W) with 5 GF and 12 GA.

I think they will have had 7 days rest, no? Should be enough.

 

[Toronto_Mike]

I'd be wary about backing a big spread in the knockout rounds.
the -1 or more fav haven't done well since 2002.
15 games including the Brasil/Chile game this year have had a fav of -1 or more in the knockout stages.
Only 6 of those games have seen the fav win by 2 or more.

 

[Toronto_Mike]

I think they will have had 7 days rest, no? Should be enough.

yup and they have had enough travel time to prep so it's no biggie.

 

[ArizonaKid]

I think they will have had 7 days rest, no? Should be enough.

Played on the 25th, so 5 full days off. USA and Portugal only had 3, while England, Cameroon and Croatia had 4 and Italy had 5 full days off.

 

[braves]

Do they need to move Lahm back to one of the marking back positions as they progress? Not against Algeria, but maybe for France and when/if they proceed further