[DiamondJack]

With a week before the Asian Cup is about to kick off in the United Arab Emirates on Jan 5th. I look forward to some futures I can jump on prior to the start. The books will be slow to provide lines aside from the match bets, so hopefully I can snag a nice few ante post bets.

Here is how I see the standings after the group stages.

Group A

UAE
Thailand
Bahrain
India

Group B

Syria
Australia
Palestine
Jordan

Group C

S. Korea
China
Kyrgyzstan
Philippines

Group D

Iran
Iraq
Vietnam
Yemen

Group E

Saudi Arabia
Lebanon
Qatar
N.Korea

Group F

Japan
Uzbekistan
Oman
Turkmenistan

[DiamondJack]

The tournament has expanded form 16 teams to 24 teams just like the European Championship. The last 4 tournaments have averaged 2.78 goals per game. The addition of much weaker sides should equal in lopsided scorelines and higher margins of victory.

Final 16

Thailand
China

Iran
Oman

Syria
Bahrain

Japan
Lebanon

Saudi Arabia
Iraq

S. Korea
Palestine

Australia
Uzbekistan

UAE
Qatar

[DiamondJack]

The top 3 Overrated sides based solely on bookmakers odds

1. Australia
2. Jordan
3. India

The top 3 Underrated sides based on the bookies

1. Syria
2. Lebanon
3. UAE

Quarter Finals

China
Iran

Syria
Japan

Iraq
S.Korea

Uzbekistan
UAE

[DiamondJack]

Semi Finals

Iran
S Korea

Japan
UAE

[DiamondJack]

Group/s of death is IMO Group E followed by Group B.

Any team in group E/B is capable of winning the group and/or causing an upset. I shall be backing the dogs in both of these groups

FINAL

IRAN V UAE

[calforce]

Not good in geography please Australia are they Asian?

[DiamondJack]

Australia plays in the Asian Federation since 2006

[Deceptakhan]

Time to crush this cup DJ
lets cash these bets!

[DiamondJack]

1. Jordan +1.25 @ 2.01/+101 (BET365) 1 Unit



Both sides have split the last 4 meetings versus each other. I expect a tight game. The Aussies are more talented but I don't see them blowing away Jordan.

[DiamondJack]

2. Thailand -1 @ 1.99/-101 (Marathon) 1 Unit



Thailand come into the game undefeated in past 9 and face India who are winless in their past 4. Both sides last game was versus Oman where Thailand won 2-0 and India drew 0-0. Looks like a 2-0 result

[DiamondJack]

3. Korea -3 @ 2.25/+125 (Bet365) 1 Unit
4. Iran -2.5 @ 2.22/+122 (Marathon) 1 Unit



The dogs have been barking loud so far to start the tournament. I think that ends today. Yemen & The Philippines are miles behind their opponents

[slayer14]

Still 0-0 in the korea game and it half time

[Optional]

Nice pre tourney insight DJ

[slayer14]

Patino just missed a Golden chance for the Philippines

[DiamondJack]

5. Uzbekistan ML @ 2.09/+109 (Pinnacle) 1 Unit
6. Lebanon +0.5 @ 2.20/+120 (5Dimes) 1 Unit
7. Qatar/Lebanon UNDER 2 @ 2.06/+106 (5Dimes) 2 Units



Time for the last games of the 1st round of group matches. I expect Lebanon to keep in low scoring perhaps a draw in the late game. Uzbekistan at plus money is value versus a side lower than them in the ELO ranks and way lower then them in Transfer value.

[franz555]

5. Uzbekistan ML @ 2.09/+109 (Pinnacle) 1 Unit
6. Lebanon +0.5 @ 2.20/+120 (5Dimes) 1 Unit
7. Qatar/Lebanon UNDER 2 @ 2.06/+106 (5Dimes) 2 Units



Time for the last games of the 1st round of group matches. I expect Lebanon to keep in low scoring perhaps a draw in the late game. Uzbekistan at plus money is value versus a side lower than them in the ELO ranks and way lower then them in Transfer value.

BOL DJ

Appreciate the write ups

[DiamondJack]

Updated Record after 1st Round (3-3-1 +0.31)


8. Syria ML @ 2.30/+130 (Pinnacle) 1 Unit



Syria have the Aussies on tap after this game so they need the 3 points badly. Jordan can afford to sit back and defend and rely on the counter after bagging 3 points from their opener. The value here is similar to Uzbekistan where we have Syria with a higher ELO ranking and a much more superior transfer value.

[DiamondJack]

Franz great to hear from you

[DiamondJack]

9. Lebanon +1 @ 2.09/+109 (Bet365) 1 Unit



The last time these sides met ended in a 1-1 result. The Saudis are the better side but i do not see them blowing away Lebanon.

[franz555]

9. Lebanon +1 @ 2.09/+109 (Bet365) 1 Unit

Last time these sides met ended in a 1-1 result. The Saudis are the better side but i do not see them blowing away Lebanon.

BOL today DJ

[DiamondJack]

10. Korea DPR/Qatar BTTS YES @ 2.10/+110 (Bet365) 1 Unit
11. Oman/Japan OVER 2.5 @ 2.07/+107 (Bet365) 2 Units
12. Turk/Uzbekistan OVER 2.5 @ 2.20/+120 (WillHill) 2 Units
13. Uzbekistan -1 @ 1.88/-114 (Bet365) 3 Units



We have had 10 straight games where a win to nil result has occurred. I will chase both teams to score yes starting with the North Korea game. Really good value on the AH for Uzbekistan so I'm making that my biggest wager so far this tournament.

[DiamondJack]

Record after Round 2 5-7-1 +071 Units


14. UAE ML @ 1.80/-125 (Bet365) 2 Units



Time to start the final round of the group stage where historically we see more goals being scored. I do not see that in group A so no totals for me.I ended up not chasing BTTS as I just could not see where the goals were going to come from Oman & Turkmenistan. In this match up the hosts should win to lock up first place in the group

[DiamondJack]

15. Kyrgyzstan OVER 2.5 @ 2.05/+105 (Bet365) 1 Unit
16. Vietnam OVER 2.5 @ 1.96/-104 (Marathon) 1 Unit



In both of these match ups we have teams with zero points going all out for a possible 3rd place finish that might qualify them with a win. I expect both matches to be open and hopefully high scoring.

[franz555]

15. Kyrgyzstan OVER 2.5 @ 2.05/+105 (Bet365) 1 Unit
16. Vietnam OVER 2.5 @ 1.96/-104 (Marathon) 1 Unit



In both of these match ups we have teams with zero points going all out for a possible 3rd place finish that might qualify them with a win. I expect both matches to be open and hopefully high scoring.

Nice hit in the early game

BOL with the 2nd over DJ

[DiamondJack]

17. Saudi Arabia to DRAW @ 3.07/+207 (Pinnacle) 1 Unit



I was going to play over in both Oman & Lebanon matches but the odds got away from me...so I see the Saudi game playing out much like the Iran Iraq match. Both sides knowing they will advance perhaps rest a few players and settle for the draw.

[DiamondJack]

18. Iran Win to Nil @ 1.80/-125 (Marathon) 2 Units


Iran has not conceded at all this tournament and I dont see Oman causing any problems.

[DiamondJack]

19. Japan ML @ 1.81/-123 (5Dimes) 1 Unit
20. Japan UNDER 2 @ 2.34/+134 (Marathon) 2 Units
21. Uzbekistan +0.5 @ 2.04/+104 (5Dimes) 2 Units



The Saudis are overrated lost 2-0 to Qatar a team far poorer then Japan who have won all of their games so far and should win this one. Uzbekistan are my dark horses so getting a double chance at plus money is value.

[Deenoz]

nice insight. good luck DJ

[DiamondJack]

Deenoz---

[franz555]

19. Japan ML @ 1.81/-123 (5Dimes) 1 Unit
20. Japan UNDER 2 @ 2.34/+134 (Marathon) 2 Units
21. Uzbekistan +0.5 @ 2.04/+104 (5Dimes) 2 Units



The Saudis are overrated lost 2-0 to Qatar a team far poorer then Japan who have won all of their games so far and should win this one. Uzbekistan are my dark horses so getting a double chance at plus money is value.

Bingo Bango Bongo

Nicely done DJ

[DiamondJack]

Franz---

22. Qatar/Iraq to DRAW @ 3.25/+225 (Bet365) 1 Unit



The quarterfinal match up where one would have to flip a coin for the winner...so I'll take the full time draw.

[DiamondJack]

UPDATED Record 10-10-1 +4.98 Units

[Deenoz]

i like that Qatar/Iraq draw play.
im gonna tail.

[DiamondJack]

23. Japan/Vietnam UNDER 2.5 @ 1.92/-108 (Marathon) 1 Unit
24. Iran win to Nil @ 1.81/-123 (Marathon) 1 Unit



The first 2 quarter finals today should be straight forward as we have 2 clear favourites. I expect Vietnam to park the bus and Iran, well they have not allowed a goal against this tournament so hoping the trend continues.

[DiamondJack]

25. Qatar +0.5 @ 1.93/-107 (Bet365) 1 Unit
26. UAE +0.5 @ 2.04/+104 (Bet365) 1 Unit



Qatar continues to be the surprise team in the tournament with 4 wins no losses 11 GF and zero goals against.Korea have not been dominant would not be surprised with a 1-1 scoreline after 90, but the way Qatar have been playing have to back them with a double chance.

The Aussies and UAE are both lucky to be here as both sides have under performed. UAE at home versus the Aussies 2 Draws 1 loss. I'll back the home side here at +0.5 at plus money.