Picks
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International Friendlies
by Ben, last updated 2005-11-08 08:05:47I'll probably give this weekends friendlies a miss. May have some small bets but nothing big on meaningless friendlies.
Nigels Picks
by Nigel Ridgeway
LAST WEEK'S PICKS - BLACKBURN, NEWCASTLE & WEST HAM ALL WON!ENGLAND 7/4 TO BARGE PAST ARGENTINA
Sa Nov 12 - 4.45 pm ko
There may be nothing at stake on Saturday but, given the fierce rivalry between the two teams, this match is unlikely to be played like a friendly (bet live in-Play on up to 14 markets!). And with neither side rock solid at the back, and key defenders missing, we can expect some goals (‘over' 2.5 goals comes in at 8/11 here at bet365).
As regards an outright bet on the game, neither England's poor record in friendlies and Argentina's recent away form inspires much confidence but, if you must bet on the result, the value could lie with England at 7/4. England aren't the only team looking to rebuild their reputation with a win here against their old rivals. Since qualifying comfortably, the Argies have suffered three successive away defeats, the last two coming after a 3-1 win over Brazil in Buenos Aires. That inconsistency, along with the absence of some key players (Lionel Messi is suspended), makes Argentina opposable. The fixture should at least give us an indication of England's chances next summer, but even a victory against their old foes is unlikely to see a change in their current price of 8/1.
Live Game Pick: England @ 7/4
bet365 latest World Cup prices ... Brazil 3/1, Argentina, Germany 13/2, England 8/1, Italy, Holland, France 10/1, Spain 18/1, others on bet365 website.
SWISS TO ROLL TURKS OVER AT 13/10
Of course, betting in friendlies isn't everyone's cup of tea, which is why we'll be concentrating our main bets this weekend on the World Cup Play Offs. Turkey are as short as 4/7 to qualify against Switzerland (5/4), but they'll look to do their winning on home soil, so there's a good case for backing the Swiss at 13/10 on Saturday. The Swiss were sold in qualifying (no-one managed to actually beat them), and they'll have to get a result on home soil to have any chance of making it to Germany.
As with Euro 2004, the underachieving Spaniards are seeking qualification by the backdoor, and they must now unlock a stubborn defence which has kept five clean sheets in their last six games. The Slovaks will be happy to take a draw back east, and that looks the most likely result at 10/3, while they can be backed with a degree of confidence at 1.825 on the Asians getting a goal and a half start. In the other game, the Czech Republic should be too good for a Norwegian side, who were flattered to finish second to Italy in a weak group.
World Cup Play Off Picks:
Switzerland to beat Turkey @ 13/10
Slovakia to draw with Spain @ 10/3 (Asian Handicap @ 1.825) Czech Republic to beat Norway @ 7/5
Bet with bet365
Gerry's Picks
by Gerry McDonnell
Becks, Rugs and Rock and RollWe’ve all heard the _expression, ‘It could be a war out there’, when Argentina play England at football; it’s not a cliché, it’s a valid prediction.
Tension between the two countries began to surface in 1982, when an argument broke out over the Wolves and Ipswich defender, Mel Venus.
The hostility increased at the World Cup of 1998, where in a moment of madness, David Beckham made a decision that upset the whole of England; he agreed to marry Victoria Adams.
Also in ’98, Beckham was sent off for kicking Diego Simeone, but fate allowed Beckham to partially redeem himself four years later, as his penalty effectively sent the Argies home from the 2002 World Cup.
David Beckham and his wife normally shy away from the spotlight, but he’s always at the centre of attention when England face Argentina; you can back Beckham to score the only goal of the game at 55/1.
In a somewhat surprising move, Sven has recalled David ‘Calamity’ James and Peter Crouch to the squad for the Argentina match; hopefully he’ll play James up front and Crouch in goal.
Admittedly, i’m not a football manager, I’m a gambling guru; but if I had to pick an England team, I wouldn’t touch Crouch with a barge-pole, in fact, I’d rather play the barge-pole. For all you believers, Crouch is a 9/1 shot to score the last goal.
One of my South American contacts has advised me to back Placente to score the first goal for the Argies at 50/1, but I’ve found that somewhat hard to swallow. I’ll be on the draw at 15/8.
The Americans are marching towards Scotland, and somewhat surprisingly, it’s not related to North Sea oil. According to FIFA, the Yanks are the 7th strongest team in the World, which is absolutely ridiculous; it’s the biggest joke in International football since Robbie Savage. Don’t fall for FIFA’s rug-pulling, Scotland are terrific value at 7/5.
France v Germany is an interesting match. Both countries dislike America; I wish they could both win. With Thierry Henry firing on all cylinders, France are the call at 5/6.
The following specials are all available at Super Soccer.
“Oil be back” – The USA to win from behind 11/1
“Argy bargy” – Argentina to have a player sent off 8/1
“Turk up like a kipper” – Hakan Sukur to score with a header 8/1
“The Italian Job” – Italy to score three or more goals 7/1
“Rocking Robin” – Van Persie to score two or more goals 9/1
“A Swiss Roll” – Switzerland to score three or more goals 11/2
“Lord of the Fries” – Thierry Henry to score a hat-trick 16/1
“Throw the towel in” – Germany to have a player sent off 11/1
Quote of the week:
“He is very special, and I would like to have him in the World Cup squad.”
Sven Goran Eriksson should have spent more money on English lessons, Peter Crouch is the subject.
Stat, you’re a liberty:
Wayne ‘Rucker’ Rooney may be considered the best thing since canned lager, but his contribution to World Cup qualification was minimal. Rooney hasn’t scored a competitive goal for England since Euro 2004.
Acc of the week:
Scotland
Holland
France
Spain
Uruguay
The five-fold pays a juicy 18/1.
Weekend Betting:
Scotland v USA International Friendly Saturday 12th November 16.00 Live on Sky
Scotland 7/5
Draw 11/5
USA 6/4
Get on: Scotland
Here’s a sentence you rarely see, Scotland are value to win a football match.
Match Special:
Scotland to keep a clean sheet 6/4
Argentina v England International Friendly Saturday 12th November 16.45 Live on BBC
Argentina 7/5
Draw 15/8
England 7/4
Get on: Draw
This is why bookmakers all drive Ferraris. Any result is possible, except the one that I back. I’m losing my money on the draw.
Match Special:
Lampard to score a penalty 7/1
Holland v Italy International Friendly Saturday 12th November 19.45 Live on Bravo
Holland 6/5
Draw 2/1
Italy 2/1
Get on: Holland
The future’s bright, the future’s orange. 6/5 for the Dutch is a corking investment.
Match Special:
Van Nistelrooy and Van Persie both to score 8/1
France v Germany International Friendly Saturday 12th November 20.00 Live on Eurosport
France 5/6
Draw 9/4
Germany 13/5
Get on: France
The French have quality throughout their team. The Germans have Michael Ballack.
Match Special:
Henry and Trezeguet both to score 5/1
Norway v Czech Rep World Cup Qualifying play-off 1st Leg Saturday 12th November 18.30
Norway 2/1
Draw 2/1
Czech Rep 5/4
Get on: Czech Rep
The Czech’s were unlucky to draw Holland in their qualifying group. Will the Czech Republic lose? Nor way.
Match Special:
Milan Baros to score at any time 6/4
Switzerland v Turkey World Cup Qualifying play-off 1st Leg Saturday 12th November 19.45 Live on Setanta
Switzerland 6/4
Draw 15/8
Turkey 7/4
Get on: Switzerland
The Swiss will get the result they need at home, but the 2nd leg in Turkey will be no picnic.
Match Special:
Frei to score with a header 7/1
Spain v Slovakia World Cup Qualifying play-off 1st Leg Saturday 12th November 21.00
Spain 1/4
Draw 7/2
Slovakia 10/1
Get on: Spain
The Spanish were rubbing their hands after the draw, they can afford to take a little siesta and still win the match.
Match Special:
Raul to score two or more goals 7/2
Uruguay v Australia World Cup Qualifying play-off 1st Leg Saturday 12th November 23.00
Uruguay 4/7
Draw 9/4
Australia 5/1
Get on: Uruguay
The Uruguayan coach will play videos of neighbours in the dressing room pre-match to get the players nicely wound up. Uruguay beat Argentina at home, and drew with Brazil home and away; the Aussies are if for a mullering.
Match Special:
Uruguay to score in both halves 6/4
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