Argentina vs South Korea
FreeToday’s featured game is the World Cup game between Argentina and South Korea. A lot of people have this marked down as a banker for Argentina but I’m not so sure. Argentina didn’t impress me against Nigeria for various reasons and South Korea certainly backed up my comments regarding them pre-match so I’m expecting a much closer game than most are today.
The problem with Argentina is Maradona. He’s the subject of just about every football section in every newspaper everywhere at the moment and whereas that does work in distracting the media away from his team, we cannot escape the fatal flaw to his plan; he’s tactically inept. Last match they faced Nigeria, a Nigeria side with few talented players but with plenty of pace and determination. They had no creativity through the middle so logic says they’ll go down the flanks. Nigeria duly went down the flanks. What did Maradona do? He put Jonas Gutierrez at right-back, who got destroyed every time he was faced by a Nigerian winger. Unbelievable! And this man decided not to take Javier Zanetti to the World Cup? Maradona’s side were stretched so often at the back by a frankly unimpressive Nigerian attack that it was unreal. Whereas Argentina know how to attack thanks to some very gifted players, they were very wasteful in front of goal, particularly with Gonzalo Higuain. Messi ran the show, as you’d expect with Nigeria abandoning an experienced holding midfielder in the team, but even his finishing was poor or unlucky. Either way, Argentina have beaten a mediocre Nigerian side 1-0 and it could have been 1-1. Concerned? I am, and they definitely should be. They’re a very big name but they’re not a very big side currently. I expressed my doubts pre-tournament over the longevity of Argentina’s World Cup quest given the ineptitude of their manager and I think it’ll show in due course although this group is certainly primed to make them look like genuine World Cup candidates. My doubts remain, however, having seen them – I have no faith in the South Americans, to be blunt. No side with Messi in could or should be underestimated but I won’t over-estimate them either – they’re not as good as their name yet!
South Korea were so dominant and impressive against Greece that I was genuinely pleased for them. It helped that they made me a good amount of money, but still – I genuinely felt like eating dog to celebrate! No, but seriously – they play good football, they’re incredibly well-organised, and they’ve got bags of experience. That frankly makes South Korea a dangerous side against anyone, in my book. They’ve got a tenacity that only Asian sides can boast and they’re arguably the most skilful Asian side in the competition too with a rare glimpse of flambuoyancy in their close-knit and determined squad. Although Greece were poor against South Korea, the Koreans made the most of it by taking their chances, pressurising their opponents, and defending well. My only criticism would be that they got caught out in the air once or twice but barring corners against Argentina, I don’t see that being a particular factor today. South Korea were very imposing against Greece, however, which is something that impressed me an awful lot. Basically, they always looked likely to score so why not again today? They’re smart enough tactically and good enough physically to break through a very weak Argentinian defence so I certainly think they’ll get at least one goal today.
I don’t honestly know what the outcome of this game will be. You have to favour Argentina for the individual brilliance that they possess but something tells me South Korea can win this game. If they get a lead then their solid defence are capable of keeping Argentina out, an Argentina side that doesn’t have a Plan B! I quite fancy them to win the game as a fun bet but I see a really difficult game looming for Argentina and I certainly won’t be accumulating them in any of my bets today as a result. Argentina were particularly susceptible against the Nigerians in defence – they’re facing a side that can punish them today so I think both sides scoring in this game could be a good bet today.
Verdict: Both sides to score at 11/10.
Thursday’s Picks
My tips:
As ever, below are my recommended value tips for today in no particular order:
Greece vs Nigeria – lay Nigeria at 5/6.
This is a tad dubious but come on – what have Nigeria done to earns odds of evens to win this game? Nothing at all. I accept Greece were quite poor against South Korea but South Korea enforced that as well as Greece shouldering some of the blame. Greece may not offer much in attack but they’re a well-organised side that are hard to break down whether they play well or not. Rehhagel’s tactics are questionable when he drops Charisteas to the wing and substitutes Karagounis at half-time but they’re still a side not to underestimate. They need to be motivated but one thing Rehhagel does bring to the side is motivation. You think they were bad against South Korea?! Wait until you see them without motivation! Seriously though – underestimate Greece at your own peril. They’ve been weak defensively of late but at the same time, Nigeria offer little in attack. They had good chances against Argentina and squandered all of them. Neither Yakubu or Martins has seen enough football this season and this has to be a point of concern for Nigeria. They lack creativity through the middle so all they’re bringing to this game is pace and width, in my opinion. Greece can defend against crosses – they just have to counter pace. With that in mind, are Nigeria really worth evens? I personally don’t think so. Greece are too long at 3/1 for my liking. I think they lack a genuine goal threat without the right tactics but I don’t think that makes them easy to beat as a result. For me, the value on this game today is laying Nigeria whilst odds remain at 5/6 or longer.
Verdict: Lay Nigeria at 5/6.
France vs Mexico – both sides to score at 11/10.
This bet is the only one that interests me today for this game. Either side can win this game and good luck to any of you if you back a winner because I certainly won’t be. Mexico showed against South Africa that they cannot defend against pace, which is pretty much all that France bring in their attack, thus we have a problem scenario. However, Mexico’s fairly youthful side pass the ball better and are generally more creative – they simply need Franco to take his chances. I don’t think France are particularly solid at the back, although I’d argue that their defence is still their best aspect because the rest of their side lacks any real leadership or consistency. However, France have the pace to do real damage to Mexico so I think even their impotent displays can be rectified today. As I mentioned earlier – good luck if you bet on a winner here because I can’t call it – it could be 2-1, 1-1, 1-2, 2-2 etc. as far as I’m concerned. The only factor I have any faith in for this game is both sides to score because they both have the opportune moment ahead of them to do just that. The only way you can bet on this game’s winner is in-play, in my opinion, as we need to see which team turns up for each respective nation.
Verdict: Both sides to score at 11/10.
Recommended bets:
No accumulators today guys, only singles, if indeed anything!
As ever, if there any questions/explanations required then please feel free to post a comment! For the complete picks listing, see below!
World Cup:
Argentina vs South Korea (6) 2-1
Greece vs Nigeria (5) under 2.5 goals
France vs Mexico (6) 1-1
Finnish Ykkonen:
PK-35 Helsinki vs Espoo (6) over 2.5 goals, both sides to score
Singaporean S-League:
Young Lions vs Armed Forces (6) 2-2
Swedish Superettan:
Assyriska Sodertalje vs Landskrona BoIS (5)
Enjoy your free betting tips!