Month: June 2024

Dusseldorf for one of the ties of the round as a big gun will exit the competition as these neighbours go head-to-head.

France have not been firing at this competition. They have an unreal squad but just have not found the attacking balance. They beat Austria 1-0 which was far from convincing but then drew with both Netherlands and Poland. Just 2 goals so far and 1 from Mbappe. Belgium themselves have been hit and miss. 1 win against Romania, a draw with Ukraine and a loss to Slovakia.

Team news: Mbappe is fit, Griezmann was rested last match and should return. For Belgium Dodi Lukebakio is back from suspension.

Head-to-head statistics: 12 games 5 wins France, 2 draws and 1 wins Belgium.

Betting selection – Top attacking quality on both sides. Neither side has really got going here and this should be back and forth. Take both score yes at 11-10 or 2.10.

Arizona and State Farm Stadium in what could be Mexico’s last match in this year’s Copa America.

Mexico beat Jamaica on opening match 1-0 in what wasn’t a class match. Too negative and risk averse. They then lost 1-0 to Venezuela in a huge shock, although the result was fair.

Team news: Edson Alvarez is out the tournament for Mexico. Enner Valencia is back from suspension for Ecuador.

Head-to-head statistics: 12 games 6 wins Mexico, 3 draws and 3 wins Ecuador.

Betting selection – Top spot is available for Ecuador if they win but I feel they will be more just making sure they don’t lose. They will take 2^nd for sure with 1 point. Take Draw at 3.20 or 11-5 888Sport.

Cologne is the venue for one of the surprise match ups as Spain take on Georgia.

Spain won group B in style with three wins from three. For me have been the most impressive side with attacking depth and solid defence. They beat Italy, Croatia and Albania scoring 5 without conceding. Georgia the absolute surprise packages. They beat Portugal 2-0 to go with a draw with Czechia and lost 3-1 to Turkey in a game they were equals in for long periods.

Team news: Rodri is back from suspension. Doubts for Nacho and Ayoze Perez. Anzor Mekvabishvili is suspended.

Head-to-head statistics: 7 games 6 wins Spain and 1 win Georgia.

Betting selection – Hard to see past Spain here but odds of around 1.20 or 1-5 are restrictive. Georgia have been a breath of fresh here, but their fairytale run ends. Take Spain Halftime full time at 1.72 or 8-11 Betfair.

Gelsenkirchen for round of 16 game between Slovakia and England.

England won group C with 1 win and 2 draws but in truth were far from impressive. Solid defensively its true but with a huge roster of quality attackers they have found no cohesion at all. They beat Serbia 1-0 then drew with Denmark and Slovenia. Slovakia qualified as one of the best 3^rd place teams with 4 points. They beat Belgium 1-0, drew 1-1 with Romania and lost 2-1 to Ukraine.

Team news: England lose LB Kieren Trippier while Declan Rice is a doubt. Luke Shaw is rated as fit but may not be risked. Slovakia have no injury or suspension worries.

Head-to-head statistics: 6 games 5 wins England and 1 draw.

Betting selection – Slovakia think they are able to contain England but I am not sure at all. Odds are short an England win though. I don’t see Slovakia breeching England so take England win to nil at 11-10 or 2.10 bet365.

Berlin for this close match up, a tie against England or Slovakia awaits the winner.

Switzerland ended Group A in 2^nd place after 1 win and 2 draws. They beat Hungary impressively but then struggled in 1-1 draw with Scotland. They nearly beat Germany in last match only for a Fullkrug equaliser in 92 minutes. Italy had a full house of results. Beating Albania 2-1, drawing 1-1 with Croatia and losing 3-0 to Spain.

Team news: Swiss lose Silvan Widmer to suspension. Denmark lose Morten Hjulmand to suspension also. Breel Embolo is fully fit now and should start. Top CB Riccardo Calafiori is suspended and that’s a big loss for the Azzurri.

Head-to-head statistics: 9 games 1 wins Switzerland, 5 draws, and 3 wins Italy

Betting selection – Close game this – both sides have been a bit Jeykll and Hyde so far – giving a few different faces. Could go ET and Pens this one even. Take Italy qualify at 1.72 or 8-11 Spreadex.

Dortmund and Signal-Iduna-Park where the yellow wall will get behind the hosts. Quarter-Final tie with Spain or Georgia awaits the winner.

Germany topped Group A after 2 wins and 1 draw. Scored 8 and conceded 2. Beating Scotland 5-1 and Hungary 2-0, ending with a 1-1 draw v Switzerland. Denmark ended 2nd in their group with 3 draws from 3 games – just 2 goals scored and 2 conceded.

Team news: Germany lose Jonathan Tah to suspension. Denmark lose Morten Hjulmand to suspension also.

Head-to-head statistics: 5 games 1 wins Germany, 3 draws, and 1 wins Denmark.

Betting selection – Odds are just under backable for Germany win in 90 minutes with 1.67 or 4-6 available. I don’t really see Denmark troubling the hosts as they are rather blunt upfront. Take Germany win to nil at 2.62 or 13-8 SkyBet.

Brandywell Stadium in Derry for a top v bottom clash in League of Ireland.

Derry are 2^nd in division and just 2 points off top spot with 41 points. Overall form is 11 wins, 8 draws and 4 losses. Home form is best in division with 8 wins, 2 draws and 2 loss. Recent form of 5 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss (won last 4 conceding just 1) Drogheda are bottom of the table and 3 points from Dundalk. Overall form is 3 wins, 7 draws and 11 losses. Away form of no wins, 3 draws and 8 losses. Recent form is 1 win, 2 draws and 5 losses with no wins in 7.

Team news: Derry miss Whelan, McEneff and McEleny. Drogheda lose Gallagher, McNally and Deegan. They have doubts over Zishim Bawa also after he went off last match.

Head-to-head statistics: 20 games 10 wins Derry, 7 draws, and 3 wins Drogheda.

Betting selection – Short odds Derry but the best home side in the division against the worst side on the road. Take Derry Half time Fulltime at 19-20 or 1.95 Bet365.

Group D and two unbeaten sides clash at Phoenix Stadium in Arizona.

Colombia dominated Paraguay for long periods but didn’t really carve out a lot of chances. A 2-1 win was deserved with James Rodrigues and Luis Diaz were pivotal for them. That takes their record to an unbeaten run of 24 games with 19 wins and 5 draws (winning their last 9!) Costa Rica defended like lions and kept Brazil to a 0-0 draw – they created almost nothing though but were overjoyed with a point. That takes their recent record to 4 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses.

Team news: For Colombia Jhon Lucumi went off after 20 mins and could miss this. Costa Rica have no issues at all.

Head-to-head statistics: 4 games 3 wins Colombia and 1 win Costa Rica.

Betting selection – Very short odds Colombia and deservedly so with a very long unbeaten record going back to February 2022. Take Colombia win to nil at 19-20 or 1.95 10Bet – Costa Rica are solid but I don’t see them troubling Colombia.

We head to New Jersey for an all-South American tie as Uruguay take on Bolivia.

Uruguay bossed Panama for long periods and fully deserved their 3-1 win. Typical Bielsa ball as they rained shots on the Bolivian goal. That takes their recent record to 5 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss. Bolivia was second best for the entire game in their 2-0 loss to USA in Texas. Laboured and with very little attacking quality. That takes their recent record to 1 win and 6 losses (the win to very poor Andorra)

Team news: Ronald Araujo suffered dehydration in the 1^st game and may not be risked here. No injury or suspension worries for Bolivia.

Head-to-head statistics: 12 games 8 wins Uruguay, 2 draws and 2 wins Bolivia.

Betting selection – Odds are shortening on Uruguay all the time and stand around 1.13 or 1-7 just to win. Bolivia is very weak and not dangerous at all. We have to look away from 1×2 and handicap seems high at -2.25 so I prefer Uruguay win to nil at 1.80 or 4-5 Skybet.

Atlanta for round 2 of group games in Group C as the hosts take on Panama.

Panama never really got into their 3-1 defeat to Uruguay – 2^nd best for most of the game. They got a 96” consolation but that was about the best they could hope for. That takes their recent record to 3 wins, 1 draw and 4 losses. USA rushed to a 2-0 lead over Bolivia in a totally one-sided match – they controlled the game and coasted to a win. That takes their record to 4 wins, 1 draw and 3 losses.

Team news: No injury or suspension worries for either side.

Head-to-head statistics: 20 games 4 wins Panama, 4 draws and 12 wins Panama.

Betting selection – A win for USA effectively qualifies for the KO stages. Panama know a draw might be good but will try for the win for sure. USA just too good though so USA -1.0/-1.5 1.84 bet365. A 1 goal USA win gives us half stakes returned.