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Europa League Final: Fulham – Atletico Madrid: (Wednesday, May 12th 19.45pm – Hamburg, Germany)

I don’t think even Fulham know how they have managed to get to their first final of any description let alone a European final since 1975 when they lost the FA Cup Final as a second Division side to West Ham. Fulham started of their European run in July when they knocked out Lithuanian side FK Vetra. Since then they have knocked out Italian giants Juventus, UEFA Cup Holders Shakhtar Donetsk, German Champions of last season Wolfsburg, & of course Hamburg who would have been playing the final on their own ground if they had beat Fulham in the Semi Finals. Fulham also had to get through a difficult group stage where they had to play Italian side AS Roma who are neck & neck with Inter Milan in the battle for The Italian Title. Fulham have never won a major trophy in their history & if they win this game it will be a remarkable achievement. They face Spanish side Atletico Madrid who after a poor start in the first half of the season have managed to improve & now sit in 9th place in the table. They drew 1-1 at the weekend after resting several players for the final. Atletico have had a far better history than Fulham in terms of trophies. They have won the Spanish title on 9 occasions, the most recent in 1996, when they also won the Spanish cup to achieve a Spanish double. They have also won the UEFA Cup (1962) as well as being runners up twice in 1963 (when they were holders) & 1986. They were also runners up in the European Cup final of 1974 when they lost to Bayern Munich after a replay. In fact in this final they came very close to winning because in the first game they went ahead with only 7 minutes of Extra time to play but were pegged back by the Germans who won the replay 4-0.

It seems to me unfair that Atletico are even in the final as they were knocked out of the Champions League this season which included a 4-0 defeat at Chelsea. Fulham have reached the final by playing more games in the completion than the Spanish side but hey that’s modern football for you. I hope Fulham win as it would be great for the fans & the club but I can’t see it. I think that Atletico have more European experience than Fulham & that will tell. A shame & lets hope that Fulham don’t go the same way as Middlesbrough who reached the UEFA final 2006, i.e., relegation to the Championship within a few years.

Result Prediction: Fulham to lose

Score Prediction: Atletico Madrid 2 Fulham 1

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World Cup Semi Final Predictions: July 6th/7th 2010:

Hello everyone. My predictions for the quarter finals went ok. I got two out of four. The correct predictions were Uruguay beating Ghana & Spain beating Paraguay. I didn’t expect Germany to thrash Argentina 4-0. The same applies to Brazil losing to Holland. I suppose the Germany result makes England look better than Argentina as England only lost 4-1 or 4-2 if you want to count Frank Lampard’s disallowed goal. Germany must be favourites for the World cup now that Brazil have been knocked out by Holland which I have to say pleased me as I am fed up with Brazil doing well at World cups almost as much as Germany. It now falls on Spain to try & stop the Germans but I don’t think they will. I will post my final preview as well as an overview of the whole world cup in context of my predictions before Sunday. Good luck.

Match 60: Semi Finals: Holland – Uruguay: (Tuesday July 6th 7.30pm):

Holland beat Brazil 2-1 which was a major shock to them as well as the rest of the footballing world. This has been a world cup of shocks so I suppose I should have known better when I predicted Brazil to win & not Holland. Can the Dutch repeat 1974 & 1978 & reach the final but this time go further. We will see. I think they will beat Uruguay in this game to at least emulate the great side of the 1970’s. Uruguay have really done well to reach the semi final stage for the first time since they won the world cup for the second time in 1950. They beat Nigeria on penalties in the quarter finals but only after Nigeria had missed a penalty in the last minute of extra time. Pity the poor Nigerian player who missed the penalty. The same of course applies to the Paraguay player who missed a second half penalty against Spain when the score was 0-0. He had to be consoled by his team mates as he was in tears after the final whistle. You couldn’t but feel for him. Uruguay are the only south American side left in the tournaments which is something you would have not betted on even if you were start raving mad. Stand up that bloke from Darlington. Ha. The Dutch to win then & they could be facing a repeat of the 1974 final by playing Germany & some revenge for that defeat. Personally I hope not as I would rather they play Spain & that way we would have a new name on the roll call of winners of the World cup & not the bloody Germans again. Do I am come across as bitter?

Result Prediction: Holland to win

Score Prediction: Holland 2 Uruguay 1

Match 61: Semi Finals: Spain – Germany: (Wednesday July 7th 7.30pm):

I went to church today & asked God to let Spain win this game. He said no trouble my son as no one likes the Germans at football. Most of Europe would agree with him. Despite that I think the Germans will win mainly because they always seem to when it comes to semi finals. My memory tells me that they have only lost two semi finals in 30 odd years & that was at the last World cup when they lost to Italy 2-0 & the 1988 European Championships when they lost to Holland 2-1. The full boring list of semi final victories going back to 1974 is as follows:- 1976 European Championships (Yugoslavia 4-2) 1980 Euro Championships (Top of their group), 1982 World Cup (France on Penalties), 1986 World Cup (France 2-0), 1990 World Cup (England on Penalties), European Championships (Sweeden 3-2), Euro 96 (England on Penalties), 2002 World Cup (South Korea 1-0) & the 2008 European Championships (Turkey 3-2). Depressing isn’t it. Spain play great passing football but have had to work hard to break sides down as was proved by their last 16 game & the Quarter final victory against Paraguay. This game will be remembered for both sides missing penalties, firstly Paraguay when the score was 0-0 & then Spain five minutes later when the referee made a crazy decision by making Spain take their penalty again because of players encroaching in the penalty area albeit by about six inches which was in total contrast to Paraguay’s penalty where just about everybody encroached. Hmm. Spain missed the second penalty & it took a brilliant piece of football to unlock the Paraguay defence which enabled David Villa to score another goal to put him top scorer in the World Cup. Manchester City fans must be chomping at the bit to see him play for them next season. I do have to say that Germany have played some great football going forward but it will be a question if Spain can get through their defence? Germany have destroyed England (4-1) & Argentina 4-0 but this game could be closer. It is of course a repeat of the 2008 European Championship final which the Spanish won 1-0. The German side they play in this game is a very different one than that of 2008. I think the Germans will win because they look like they are going to win again & that is depressing.

Result Prediction: Germany to win

Score Prediction: Spain 1 Germany 2

Good Luck everyone & see you all at the weekend for the final.

Douglas Martin

sportingways.com

July 5th 2010

Football Betting Predictions for the League Cup Final 2011: (Wembley Stadium) 

Arsenal – Birmingham City: (Sunday February 27th: 4pm): 

Arsenal contest this league cup final knowing they have not won a trophy since the 2005 FA Cup final when they beat Manchester United on penalties after a bore 0-0 draw. Arsenal have come close to breaking that record since 2005, for instance they reached the league cup final in 2007 but lost 2-1 to Chelsea. They also reached the semi finals in 2008 but were knocked out by Spurs. In other competitions they have reached the Champions League final in 2006 losing 2-1 to Barcelona, an FA Cup semi final defeat to Chelsea in 2009 as well as runners up in the Premiership in 2005 & a couple of third place finishes. So Arsenal will be looking to this game to end their run of no trophies for six years. 

Birmingham won the League cup in 1963 before the final was held at Wembley. They reached the final in 2001when it was held in Cardiff & were very unlucky to lose to Liverpool on penalties after a 1-1 draw (After Extra Time). Blues have reached Wembley several times in the FA Cup final & other lower league competitions. They were runners up in the FA Cup final of 1956 when they lost 3-1 to Manchester City. So Blues are looking to end a jinx of never winning a major trophy at the home of football (The Leyland DAF trophy doesn’t count). 

Arsenal knocked out Spurs away in their first game in this years competition & since then have taken care of Newcastle away, Wigan home & of course Ipswich over two legs in the Semi finals. Arsenal won their last game when they beat Stoke at home on Wednesday to close the gap on Manchester United to one point having played a game more. They also hold a 2-1 lead over Barcelona in the Champions League going into the second leg & are of course still in the FA Cup with a 5th round replay against Orient coming up. They should win that replay & will then face Manchester United away in the Quarter Finals. So Arsenal are fighting on all fronts & it will be interesting to see how they do come the end of the season. 

Birmingham knocked out West ham in the semi finals over two legs & at one point were 3-1 down in the second leg but of course came back. They knocked out lower league teams in the form of Rochdale, MK Dons & Brentford in the earlier rounds before they beat their deadly rivals Aston Villa at home 2-1 in the Quarter finals. Birmingham won 3-2 in the FA Cup on Saturday against Sheffield Wednesday to reach the Quarter finals but are involved in a relegation fight in the Premiership. They are 15th in the table just three points away from the bottom three & lost their last league game 2-0 at home to Newcastle last Tuesday which was a bad result for them. I suspect that Blues will stay up but will lose the League cup final against Arsenal but it will I suspect be close. 

Don’t be surprised if Birmingham take the physical approach towards Arsenal in order to contain them just like Stoke did on Tuesday. 

A narrow win for Arsenal then & how many more trophies can they win by the end of the season? 

Match prediction: Arsenal to win 
Score Prediction: Arsenal 2 Birmingham 1 
Attendance Prediction: 88,000 

Match 1: Aston Villa – Blackburn: (Saturday February 26th: 3pm): 

Villa drew away at Blackpool 1-1 last time out which means that they have now only lost one game in their last seven & the defeat was at Old Trafford against Manchester United. Because they have drawn their last two league games they have dropped down the table to 16th (Below Blues) just three points above the bottom three. However, I think they will be safe as they have improved of late with wins against Manchester City & Wigan away. They are also through to the 5th round of the FA Cup where they play Manchester City away next Week. 

Villa now face Blackburn at home who have a below average away record. Blackburn lost in the FA Cup third round away at Villa when they went down 3-1. Villa also knocked Blackburn out of last years FA Cup & in the League cup when they beat them in the Semi Finals. Blackburn drew their last league game 0-0 at home with Newcastle after they had suffered two defeats to Wigan & Spurs. Blackburn have managed to win at West Brom, Newcastle & Blackpool this season as well as drawing at Manchester City. The list of defeats is long as they have lost at Liverpool, Birmingham, Wigan, Spurs, Stoke, Bolton & Sunderland. 

Villa’s home form is ok with wins against West Ham, Everton, Blackpool & Manchester City. They have managed 5 draws against Manchester United, Chelsea, Bolton, Birmingham & last time out against Fulham. The three defeats at home have come against Arsenal, Spurs & Sunderland. 

Villa’s home form should be enough for the three points in this game. 

Match prediction: Aston Villa to win 
Score Prediction: Aston Villa 3 Blackburn 1 
Attendance Prediction: 35,000 

Match 2: Everton – Sunderland: (Saturday February 26th: 3pm): 

Everton had a great win over Chelsea last Saturday in their FA Cup 4th round replay when they won on penalties after a 1-1 draw (AET). Now Everton turn their attention to the league once more as they attempt to start moving up the table. Last time out in the League Everton lost 2-0 at Bolton which was a bad result for them mainly because of the way they played in the game. 

Everton won their last home game against Blackpool 5-3 which improved their home form to 4 wins. The other three wins came against Spurs, Stoke & Liverpool. They have also drawn against Bolton, Wigan, Manchester United & West Ham. The defeats have come against West Brom, Newcastle & Arsenal. It is because of this average home form that Everton find themselves in the bottom half of the table in 14th place just three points above the relegation places. I feel that Everton are in a false placing in the table & that they will turn the corner. 

Sunderland have slumped a bit in recent weeks & lost again last time out when they went down 2-1 to Spurs at home. Sunderland have now lost three games on the bounce. Last time out away Sunderland threw away a 2-1 lead to lose 3-2 at Stoke. Sunderland are 7th in the table & if they are not careful they will miss out on a European place. Sunderland’s away form is better than previous seasons with wins at Chelsea, Aston Villa & Blackpool. They have also drawn at Blackburn, Spurs, Fulham, Liverpool & Wigan. The defeats have come at Manchester United, Newcastle, West Brom & Wolves. 

I think that as Everton’s home form has improved since the new year (Two wins) then they will win this game but Sunderland will probably make it hard for them. 

Match prediction: A home win
Score Prediction: Everton 2 Sunderland 0 
Attendance Prediction: 26,000 

Match 3: Newcastle – Bolton: (Saturday February 26th: 3pm): 

Newcastle won their last game away at Birmingham by the score of 2-0. This result moved them up the table to 9th place which is where I more or less think they will end up come the end of the season. This was a good away result for Newcastle at Birmingham which came after they had drawn 0-0 at Blackburn who are a difficult side to beat at Ewood Park. Newcastle of course drew their last home game with Arsenal 4-4 when they were 4-0 down at half time. 

Newcastle now play a Bolton side who are having a good season & are also through to the quarter finals of the FA Cup after a 1-0 win at inform Fulham last Sunday. It was their second away win in the FA Cup in a week after they had won 1-0 at Wigan in a 4th round replay. The Wigan & Fulham wins were good for Bolton as their away form in the Premiership betting has taken a nosedive in recent months with 6 successive defeats since they won at Wolves 3-2 in mid November. Will Bolton break their jinx at Newcastle? 

Newcastle have improved their home record since the first days of the season. They have beaten Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Ham & Sunderland. They have also drawn with Wigan, Spurs, Chelsea & of course last time out against Arsenal. The defeats have come against Manchester City, Stoke, Blackburn & Blackpool. 

Earlier in the season Bolton thrashed Newcastle 5-1 & so Newcastle will be looking for revenge & I think they will get it, just. 

Match prediction: Newcastle to win 
Score Prediction: Newcastle 2 Bolton 1 
Attendance Prediction: 46,000 

Match 4: Wigan – Manchester United: (Saturday February 26th: 3pm): 

Manchester United drew away in the Champions League on Wednesday night against Marseille 0-0 away in the first leg of the last 16. They should start as favourites for the second leg. United are also still in the FA cup after beating non league Crawley 1-0 at home last Saturday & should now face Arsenal in the quarter finals at home if Arsenal beat Leyton Orient in their replay. 

United are of course top of the league but the gap has been closed to just one point thanks to Arsenal’s 1-0 against Stoke on Wednesday night. United if they win this game against Wigan should get the lead back to 4 points as Arsenal are not playing due to their appearance in the League cup final against Birmingham on Sunday. 

United have a poor away record by their standards this season. Yes, they have only lost the once at Wolves (Last away game) but they have drawn far too many games. The list of draws then have come at Bolton, Fulham, Everton, Birmingham, Aston Villa, Manchester City, Sunderland & Spurs. They have won three times at Blackpool, West Brom & Stoke. It is United’s home form that is keeping them top as was proved by their last league game when they beat Manchester City 2-1. 

Wigan won their last home game when they beat Blackburn 4-3. It was only their 4th home win of the season & helps explain why they are in the bottom three. Wigan have managed to draw with Sunderland, Fulham, Stoke, Liverpool & Arsenal but have lost to Blackpool, Newcastle, Manchester City & Chelsea. 

Defeat no 5 at home for Wigan methinks. 

Match prediction: Manchester United to win 
Score Prediction: Wigan 0 Manchester United 2 
Attendance Prediction: 21,000 

Match 5: Wolves – Blackpool: (Saturday February 26th: 3pm): 

Wolves of course won their last home game when they famously beat Manchester United 2-1 to record United’s first Premiership defeat off the season. Only in football could the bottom side beat the top side.

Wolves remain in the bottom three however because they lost at Arsenal 2-0 last Saturday & then conceded a late goal at West Brom, well the last kick of the game, to draw 1-1. They will have been bitterly disappointed with the West Brom result & I’m afraid it could have serious repercussions in their attempts to stay in the Premiership this season. 

Wolves now face Blackpool who appear to have turned the corner after 5 successive defeats. They drew at home with Aston Villa & then had a great win over Spurs on Tuesday 3-1. That result has seen them move up the table to 12th, five points & 5 teams above the drop zone. Blackpool have a good away record this season which is in fact better than their home form. 

They have won at Newcastle, Wigan, Liverpool, Sunderland & Stoke. They have also drawn at West Ham & Bolton but have lost at Chelsea, Arsenal, Aston Villa, West Brom, Everton, Manchester City & Birmingham. 

Wolves home form is the only reason they stand a chance of staying up as their away form has only yielded 5 points. At home they have beaten Manchester United, Manchester City, Birmingham, Sunderland, Stoke & Chelsea. The defeats have come against Liverpool, Wigan, Bolton, Arsenal & Aston Villa. 

I think that as Blackpool will be on a high after their win against Spurs that they will win a close but very open game. I hope so as I am attending the game. 

Match prediction: Blackpool to win 
Score Prediction: Wolves 1 Blackpool 2 
Attendance Prediction: 27,000 

Match 6: West Ham – Liverpool: (Sunday February 27th: 1.30pm): 

Liverpool drew their last game at home with lowly Wigan 1-1 which they will have been disappointed with especially as they were 1-0 up at Half time. Liverpool have won their last two away games at Wolves & last time out at Chelsea. These two wins have increased their away wins to three for the season (the other win was at Bolton). However, their away record is still bad with defeats at Manchester United, Manchester City, Stoke, Spurs, Blackpool, Newcastle, Blackburn & Everton. A long list then but Liverpool have turned the corner since Dalglish’s arrival. They are now unbeaten in 6 league games. 

West Ham seem to be heading for the Championship despite still being in the FA Cup after a 5-1 win against Burnley on Monday which takes them into the Quarter Finals. They also of course reached the League cup semi finals. West Ham have a very poor home record with defeats to Manchester City, Arsenal, Newcastle, Bolton, Chelsea & last time out at home 1-0 to Birmingham. They have managed to beat Spurs, Wolves, Wigan but that is it, just three wins at home. They have on a semi plus side drawn with Fulham, Everton, West Brom & Blackpool. 

I think that as Liverpool have obviously improved under Kenny Dalglish & that West Ham are looking doomed with a bad home record then Liverpool will win this game without too much trouble. 

Match prediction: A Liverpool win 
Score Prediction: West Ham 1 Liverpool 2 
Attendance Prediction: 36,000 

Match 7: Manchester City – Fulham: (Sunday February 27th: 3pm): 

City will be hoping to get back to winning ways after their 2-1 defeat away at arch city rivals United last time out. City are still third in the table but seven points behind Arsenal & eight behind leaders Manchester United. They are more or less out of the title race but should qualify for the Champions League next season which they of course failed to do last season. 

Last time out at home City beat West Brom 3-0. City’s home record is good with only two defeats to Arsenal & Everton against their name. On the plus side they have beaten Blackpool, Aston Villa, Bolton, Liverpool, Chelsea, West Brom, Wolves & Newcastle. They have also drawn with Birmingham, Blackburn & Manchester United. So a good home record against away day draw specialists Fulham the next visitors. 

Fulham have improved since the new year & find themselves 13th in the table. They were in the bottom three at the start of the new year so congrats to Fulham for improving. They did however crash out of the FA Cup last Sunday when they went down 1-0 at home to Bolton. Fulham have a good away record which despite only one win at Stoke has yielded draws at Newcastle, Blackburn, Blackpool, Bolton, Wigan, West Ham & last time out away at Aston Villa. 

Fulham drew their last game when they drew at home with Chelsea but it was a game they should have won because they missed a last minute penalty. 

I think City will win as their home form is very good. 

Match prediction: A home win 
Score Prediction: Manchester City 2 Fulham 0 
Attendance Prediction: 46,000 

Match 8: Stoke – West Brom: (Monday February 28th: 8pm): 

Stoke lost again on their travels on Wednesday, this time 1-0 at Arsenal. I suspect they won’t be too bothered as they are into the quarter finals of the FA Cup after beating Brighton easily on Saturday 3-0. They now face West Ham at home which gives them a great chance of making the semi finals for the first time since the 1970’s when they of course had a great side. 

Stoke are happily in midtable where I think they will end come the end of the season. They have a good home record which is why they are happily in midtable rather than fighting off relegation at the bottom. They won their last home game to prove this when they came from 2-1 down to beat Sunderland 3-2. Their other home wins this season have come against Liverpool, Blackburn, Aston Villa, Birmingham, Everton & Bolton. They have also drawn with Manchester City & West Ham. The defeats have come against Manchester United, Fulham, Spurs & Blackpool. 

West Brom managed a last minute & I mean last minute goal against their local rivals Wolves on Sunday to earn a precious point in their relegation fight. They are just above the bottom three by one point. West Brom have a poor away record with only wins at Arsenal & Everton to their name as well as draws at West Ham & of course Manchester United (The only side to prevent Utd from winning at home this season in the league). The list of defeats is long. They have lost then at Liverpool, Chelsea, Fulham, Aston Villa, Blackpool, Blackburn, Manchester City, Bolton & Wigan. Not good. 

Because of West Brom’s poor away record I am obviously going to go for a Stoke win. 

Match Prediction: Stoke to win 
Score Prediction: Stoke 2 West Brom 1 
Attendance prediction: 27,000 

That’s all for this weekend. I will do a preview for the Chelsea Manchester United game on Tuesday night but apart from that see you all next Thursday. 

Douglas Martin 

24th February 2011 

World Cup Quarter Final Predictions: July 2nd /3rd 2010:

Hello everyone. My predictions are getting better for this World cup as I correctly predicted 6 out of 8 of the last 16 games in terms of Result Predictions & got two correct scores. The two correct scores were Uruguay beating South Korea 2-1 & Argentina beating Mexico 3-1. I correctly predicted the correct results for Germany beating England, Brazil beating Chile, Spain beating Portugal, Holland beating Slovakia & of course Uruguay beating South Korea & Argentina beating Mexico. My percentage rate in terms of correct Predicted results in now around 47% & rising. This is good after the crap start I had. Good luck for the Quarter finals & see you all for the semis next week.

Match 56: Quarter Finals: Holland – Brazil: (Friday July 2nd 3pm):

Holland beat Slovakia 1-0 in their last 16 game as I predicted & now face Brazil in the quarter finals after they beat Chile 3-0 in their game. This will I think be a tight game as both sides have obviously come to this World cup to win & not entertain as has been proved by their performances & results. The last time these sides met in the World cup was in 1998 in the semi finals when Brazil won on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Holland will therefore be looking for revenge. I don’t think they are going to get any revenge because Brazil are past masters at winning games that they could so easily lose, in other words they get the luck when it counts. They are the Manchester United of International football. Both sides deserve to be here at this stage of the World cup but I think Holland will be going home which is a shame as I have been hoping that Holland one day will avenge 1974 & 1978 when they reached the final both years yet lost. Oh well at least they can console themselves with the thought that they have a much better record in world cup history than England but then hasn’t everyone bar Scotland. A Brazilian win.

Result Prediction: Brazil to win

Score Prediction: Brazil 2 Holland 1

Match 57: Quarter Finals: Uruguay – Ghana: (Friday July 2nd 7.30pm):

Uruguay are having their best world cup since the 1950 when they surprised everyone including Brazil when they beat them in the final in their own country as they were hosts. They beat South Korea 2-1 in their last 16 game & after toping their group are obviously in good form. Ghana beat the USA 2-1 with an extra game goal which was tough on the states as they played well in the game but Ghana prevailed. They are the only African side to progress out of their group & are flying the flag well for Africa. I think that Uruguay will win this game as they are playing better & have a better defence as well as a very good attack that seems to be taking it’s chances better than Ghana who have missed a few this world cup. Should be a close game but a good one. Both sides have done well to reach this far & credit is due to them especially when you consider the sides that have fallen by the way such as Italy, France & of course England. Good luck to both sides as I think that football needs the underdogs doing well as I gets bloody boring to see the same sides winning all the time. Uruguay to win.

Result Prediction: Uruguay to win

Score Prediction: Uruguay 2 Ghana 1

Match 58: Quarter Finals: Argentina – Germany: (Saturday July 3rd 3pm):

As far as I am concerned this is the best game of the quarter finals & it is not hard to see why with the way both sides are playing. Germany’s young side destroyed England 4-1 in their last 16 game & don’t be fooled by England’s goal that was wrongly disallowed as Germany would have won 4-2 as they were that much better than England. They had a great attack that England’s defence couldn’t cope with. I blame England’s performance on our bloody media mainly as the pressure they put on the players has had a bad affect. More on that at a latter date. Argentina beat Mexico in their last 16 3-1 as I predicted & played well against a good Mexico side that yet again failed to reach the quarter finals in the world cup. Maybe next time chaps. I think Argentina will win this game as they just have enough experience to beat the Germans & will also be looking for revenge after being knocked out by the Germans at the last World cup on Penalties. Should be a really good game & I really suggest you watch this game but watch with the TV turned down as the commentating at this world cup has been so bad that it will put you off. Honest…

Result Prediction: Argentina to win

Score Prediction: Argentina 2 Germany 1

Match 59: Quarter Finals: Spain – Paraguay: (Saturday July 3rd 7.30pm):

I think that Spain are destined to win this world cup. Just a hunch based on the fact that they have got the monkey off their back by winning the European Championships in 2008. They play some great football with their neat passing which makes it very difficult for other sides to get the ball let alone create chances & win the game. Spain beat their geographical rivals Portugal 1-0 with a goal from David Villa who is a superb player with a great scoring rate for Spain. He is the one they will have to watch if Paraguay are to stand a chance. Paraguay do stand a chance because they have a great defence & will therefore make it difficult for Spain just like Portugal tried to do on Tuesday night. Paraguay have to defend & sit back because they will get massacred if they try & attack. For this reason alone they deserve to go out & they will. Spain have never been beyond the quarter finals in a world cup which is a crazy record. They are set to put that to be d by winning this game but they will have to break down Paraguay which could test their patience. & yours if you are going to watch the game.

Result Prediction: Spain to win

Score Prediction: Spain 2 Paraguay 0

Good Luck everyone & see you all next week for the Semi finals

Douglas Martin 

sportingways.com

July 1st 2010

There will be at least 1 surprise team in the semifinals of World Cup odds in soccer betting since the champ of Friday’s quarterfinal competition between Ghana and Uruguay will have a place in the final four.

Uruguay is a half goal fave in World Cup wagering at the sportsbook on Friday in this game that can be seen on ESPN with the total at 2 under.

World Cup probabilities like Uruguay but it is not a substantial line vs Ghana. The three-way line has Uruguay at +115, Ghana at +260 and the Draw at +260. Keep in mind the draw would pay off if the match ends even after 90 minutes and injury time, since this is a knockout competition.

Ghana has been a shocking squad thus far in World Cup wagering and they will look to keep their run going vs Uruguay. Ghana has had an great defense and just enough scoring directed by the midfield of Kevin-Prince Boateng and Dede Ayew. Ayew is not going to play on Friday because of suspension and Jonathan Mensah is also suspended, which will be a problem for Ghana. Boateng might not be at full strength if he plays at all since he’s also managing a hamstring injury. Even if they were at full power, it would have been hard enough for Ghana to score vs a quite good Uruguay defense.

Ghana reached the last 8 for the 1st time by beating the u.s. 2-1 after extra time. Ghana has now removed the USA for the second consecutive World Cup.

They are the last leftover African squad, and this is the first time in Ghana’s history that they have reached the quarterfinals. Even if they’re eliminated by Uruguay on Friday, they can be pleased with this historical instant in their soccer history. They’re trying to become the first African side to reach the semi-finals of the tournament. Ghana became the 3rd African team to attain the final eight of football’s top event, following Senegal in 2002 and Cameroon in 1990.

Taking a look at Uruguay’s lineup, it’s not hard to see why they’re winning vs the World Cup odds, though they are still somewhat of an unanticipated in the quarterfinals. Striker Diego Forlan is capable of scoring goals, the defense for Uruguay is amazing and they’re receiving sound goaltending. Uruguay is 1 of only a few squads that have more than one excellent scoring menace as furthermore to Forlan they also have got Luis Suarez. On defense they have a amazing defender in Diego Godin who has been as excellent as any person in the World Cup. With Diego Perez, they’ve also got an underrated midfielder.

Uruguay has a rich history in the World Cup but in recent World Cups they’ve got done nothing. Uruguay won their first 2 World Cups in 1939 and in 1950 but after achieving the semifinals in 1970 they had nearly no success. That could change on Friday as they’re favored to get by Ghana in quarterfinal World Cup odds. They’re wanting to advance to the last 4 for the first time since 1970.