Early World Cup leans

**JOHON8** · 02-03-10, 05:00 AM

Originally posted by Masu485

Whats everyone think about the early lines? They've been up for a while but I haven't seen much talk. i'm usually a system player but am just curious about people's thoughts.

1. I've been out of the loop w/ Intl soccer so bear with me, but how is South Africa just a slight dog to Mexico? doesn't South africa suck? Mexico at +160 looks amazing. the only thing is africans will have the home crowd, but mexico's still amazing.

2. also maybe USA and England to go over 2/2.5?

3. Upset #1: Ghana +236 over Serbia

4. Upset #2: Japan +267 over Cameroon (didnt impress me in Cup of Nations, Eto'o is cold also)

maybe look for fixes to push more african teams through. they dont want to be embarrassed here.

Obviously it's way too early to predict anything... but I'll answer some of ur questions.

-South Africa isn't total crap. They actually did pretty well in the Confederations Cup. Their star player is the star player of an Everton side who is in amazing form in the EPL right now. Their next star player, McArthy just signed a new contract in the EPL and will fight to get a position on the team. Aside from that they do have solid players that can compete athletically (not so much skillwise) against top countries. Look back at the confed. cup to see what I mean.

-Way too early to predict whether USA/England can go over 2.5, obviously this has to do with the fitness of key goal scorers like Rooney, Donavan etc... But also remember USA kept it really tight against Italy to a 1-0 game when Italy eventually went on to win it.

-I like your idea about the African nations having more determination to win, but this is a 4 year tournament, and each team has gone through way too much to not give it their all.

-Again it's all based on fitness and morale of the team. Terry just got into some media trouble stirring up the side with Bridge refusing to play with him... Rooney is England's big chance to win, if he goes injured in the next few months it could seriously be over. This is just drama for 1 favorite, it continues, and we'll have a better picture in a few months

**Masu485** · 02-03-10, 05:02 AM

yeah i know what you mean. it's over 4 months away, have no idea how the squads will be by the time this rolls around.

and i admit i had no clue about the s. african team, i just assumed they couldn't be as good as the mexican side.

**Busterflywheel** · 02-03-10, 06:48 AM

To far from now...Give it a few months and the picture will be a little clearer..

**shantystar** · 02-03-10, 08:29 AM

gl.

**Euphoria38** · 02-03-10, 09:04 AM

Mexico South Africa DRAW

**rfr3sh** · 02-03-10, 09:29 AM

well host nations usually do better then you expect them to

**Jimmy0607** · 02-03-10, 10:04 AM

Since when is mexico amazing?

**Shark79** · 02-03-10, 10:36 AM

Originally posted by Masu485

Whats everyone think about the early lines? They've been up for a while but I haven't seen much talk. i'm usually a system player but am just curious about people's thoughts.

1. I've been out of the loop w/ Intl soccer so bear with me, but how is South Africa just a slight dog to Mexico? doesn't South africa suck? Mexico at +160 looks amazing. the only thing is africans will have the home crowd, but mexico's still amazing.

2. also maybe USA and England to go over 2/2.5?

3. Upset #1: Ghana +236 over Serbia

4. Upset #2: Japan +267 over Cameroon (didnt impress me in Cup of Nations, Eto'o is cold also)

maybe look for fixes to push more african teams through. they dont want to be embarrassed here.

I really dont know where you see any value in Mexico ... The way they qualified to the WC didnt amaze me at all. They were in 5th place before the 2nd round Qualifier started ... ended in first place (just 1 pt ahead from USA and 3 pts ahead from Honduras). Nothing amazing there.