World Cup 2nd Round Matches 1st Jul

World Cup

Football
Published: 30/06/2014

Argentina v Switzerland, Tuesday 1st July, 17:00, BBC 1

These two sides have just one place between them in the FIFA rankings though bookmakers have Argentina strong favourites to come through with bet365 having them at just 1/2 to win the game in 90 minutes.

The South Americans have won all three games in the tournament so far seeing off Nigeria, Iran and Bosnia-Herzegovina in the group stages. It is now just one defeat in their last 22 games for Argentina and they will fancy their chances here against a Switzerland side that they defeated 3-1 in a friendly back in February 2012.

Switzerland qualified for the last 16 after coming runners up behind France. The Swiss won their opener 2-1 thanks to a late goal before a 5-2 hammering off Les Bleus in the second match. They bounced back to defeat Honduras 3-0 in the crucial last group game and they can be backed at 13/2 to win the game in 90 minutes while the draw is a 17/5 shot.

Lionel Messi has been in inspired form at the World Cup and Switzerland must find a way to keep him quiet if they wish to progress. The Barcelona man has four goals in three games and will fancy his chances against a Swiss backline that is without key defender Steven von Bergen. Messi can be backed at 11/4 to score first and 8/11 to score anytime. For the Swiss to progress then Xherdan Shaqiri must be at his best and the player who scored a hat-trick against Honduras is available at 7/2 to score anytime.

I like Argentina to go through but the prices are much too short while the goals line is tough to predict. Instead have a a little interest on Fabian Schar in the scorer markets with bet365 offering 28/1 he scores first and 10/1 he nets at anytime. Argentina have looked vulnerable at the back and the Swiss centre-back is a real threat at set-pieces.

RECOMMENDATION: Fabian Schar to net v Argentina, 28/1 first, 10/1 anytime, bet365

BELGIUM v USA, Tuesday 1st July, 21:00, BBC 1

The final game of the last 16 sees Belgium take on the USA and bet365 think the Europeans will come out on top here making them evens favourite. Belgium made the last 16 by topping Group H with three wins from three games seeing off South Korea, Algeria and Russia. Not only were they in a weak group they look unimpressive in landing these results and I could not be siding with them at that price.

The USA finished second in Group G after an opening game victory over Ghana was followed by a draw with Portugal (conceding a late equalizer) and a narrow defeat to Germany. Jurgen Klinsmann has his side organized and difficult to break down and the chances are they will frustrate Belgium for long periods of time. You can get 16/5 a USA victory while the tie to end all square after 90 minutes is a 5/2 shot.

Belgium have been leaving it late to score in this World Cup with all four of their goals so far coming after the 70th minute so far those who like to lay teams this looks a great option. Those looking for a fixed odds better should look to the scorer markets as the match betting prices look accurate to me. Take a little interest in Michael Bradley in the goalscorer betting with BET365 who offer 16/1 he scores first and 13/2 at anytime. The USA midfielder tends to be given the freedom to get forward from the centre of the park and fire in shots and in what looks like it could be a tense game looks the value selection.

RECOMMENDATION: Michael Bradley to score v Belgium, first 16/1 any 13/2 (bet365)

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Any odds displayed within this article were correct at the time of publishing (30/06/2014) but are subject to change.

30/06/2014     © Frixo 2024

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