By our Betting Tipster Joshua Poole.
With the World Cup now just six days away I will be picking out the bets I think you should be jumping on before this highly anticipated showpiece gets underway. Jose’s Inter were successful for us and I will be looking for more of the same as I preview the World Cup action finding value in the markets on a daily basis. For now though I will concentrate on the outright markets and specials the bookies are offering and try to find those winners.
Skybet seem to always offer the widest and most valuable outright markets and here is no exception. The following bets can be found on their website;
1. TEAM TOP GOALSCORERS
England – Rooney – 6/4 – Rooney is the main man for England in South Africa and certainly the only striker capable of hitting the net every game. He was the national side’s top goal scorer in 2006 at a much tender age and with his superb form for Man United this season in addition to his much improved heading ability I can only see this as a definitive winning bet – unless of course he suffers injury early in the tournament.
Brazil – Luis Fabiano – 7/4 – The Brazilian side are not short of goal scoring talent but since the manager transformed the team into a European-like outfit they have become more dependent on their potent ace. Fabiano was the competitions top goal scorer at the Confederations Cup, 2009, and was scoring freely in World Cup Qualification. Playing on the shoulder on the last defender and with superb finishing ability I expect more of the same for the finals.
Portugal – C. Ronaldo – 6/4 – Again Ronaldo is the star-man in a somewhat limited Portugal attack. This being so he is deployed as an all-out striker with the task of bagging goals. His team mates seem unlikely to challenge his goal-scoring abilities and with Ronaldo sure to be on Penalty and Free Kick duty I envisage this bet as an all but certain winner.
2. Group Winners
Group E – Holland – 4/7 – Competing in a group with Denmark, Cameroon and Japan I see Holland as clear favourites. Players such as Robben and Sneijder are in dazzling form of late and I expect their class to shine through and outweigh their opponents in this group.
3. Top Conmebol Side
Brazil – 8/11 – In other words for Brazil to progress further than any other South American team. Only Argentina are realistic challengers but with the severe tactical weaknesses of manager Maradona in comparison with the organised flair of the Brazilians I predict them to reach the final and perhaps go home as winners.
4. Top UEFA Side
Spain – 15/8 – For this side to progress further than any other European team seems highly likely when one considers the players at their disposal. As always the European teams will be competitive but I fully expect Spain to reach the final and meet Brazil. At these odds this bet is well worth a stake.
5. England Tips
Frank Lampard – Over 1.5 Goals – 5/6 – The combination of England progressing to the latter stages of the tournament coincided with Lampard’s remarkably consistent goal-scoring record makes this one of the highest value bets of the tournament. Lampard will take England’s penalties and a fair share of free kicks and will also be looking to burst into the area with his license to get forward. The prospect of Lampard reaching two or more goals is extremely likely and these odds present great value.
J Cole to play more tournament minutes than Milner – 4/6 – It is well documented that Fabio Capello had a meeting with Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti about the fitness of Joe Cole. Ancelotti assured the England manager that his player was in peak physical condition and fresh from a season of injury and bench-warming. It is for this reason and also because of Cole’s evident flair and creativity on the pitch that he was picked and I cannot see Capello not playing him. If he is not started he will be first choice to come on and change a game. Milner on the other hand is less experienced at this level and further down the pecking order of the substitutes.
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