World Cup Round of Sixteen Picks

johnson · 06-25-10, 06:28 PM

Like Uruguay to advance. South Korea was nice but their road ends here.

Alexgurv · 06-25-10, 06:32 PM

thanks johnson, GL

USA to advance -121 to win 1 unit

The more I think about this game, the more it worries me. US has looked terrible at times on defense, particularly in the first half of games. But the fact is that Ghana has scored two goals in this tournament and both were PK's. I think they struggle to score, but the US is so hot and cold I could easily see them struggling too. Theres also a revenge factor, Ghana is the team that put the nail in the US's coffin 4 years ago. If the defense steps it up, US should win this one, being cautious but I hope it doesnt come down to ET. Also a bit worried that Ghana is the last African team in the World Cup so they will have fan backing there.

sportfan · 06-25-10, 06:33 PM

S Korea will fight hard but Uruguay have more weapons they will get it done

joe.park · 06-25-10, 06:34 PM

Ghana didn't do anything yet. They didn't score from action. If US score one goal before 90 minutes end they win.

sportfan · 06-25-10, 06:36 PM

Originally posted by Alexgurv

thanks johnson, GL

USA to advance -121 to win 1 unit

The more I think about this game, the more it worries me. US has looked terrible at times on defense, particularly in the first half of games. But the fact is that Ghana has scored two goals in this tournament and one of them was off a penalty kick. I think they struggle to score, but the US is so hot and cold I could easily see them struggling too. Theres also a revenge factor, Ghana is the team that put the nail in the US's coffin 4 years ago. If the defense steps it up, US should win this one, being cautious but I hope it doesnt come down to ET. Also a bit worried that Ghana is the last African team in the World Cup so they will have fan backing there.

both of them from pks

Alexgurv · 06-25-10, 06:54 PM

yep just realized it, thanks , Good luck guys

Alexgurv · 06-26-10, 06:23 PM

Germany Pick (+100) to bet 1 unit
Germany advances to next round +100 to bet 1 unit

Haven't seen anything in this England team that says they will win. They've got a ton of stars, but not a great team. It seems they might be faltering under the pressure. Germany seems to be clicking on all cylinders. They lost to Serbia but that was thanks to a red card, and yet they still looked much better. I think Germany wins this one in regulation, but you never know so take both the game and for them to advance.

Alexgurv · 06-26-10, 07:56 PM

Argentina -1 (-104) to win 1 unit

Argentina been playing pretty well since the first game. They haven't lost yet. While I think Mexico has the same problems that the US had, the defense. The defense is bad on set pieces and you can expect Messi to give them some trouble too. I think Argentina will win this one by at least one.

lasker · 06-26-10, 08:32 PM

actually i think Mexico's strength is by far their defense. offense seems to be where they're lacking. I think the under is probably a good bet. I see this ending 1-0 or 2-0 Argentina.

Alexgurv · 06-26-10, 10:14 PM

Originally posted by lasker

actually i think Mexico's strength is by far their defense. offense seems to be where they're lacking. I think the under is probably a good bet. I see this ending 1-0 or 2-0 Argentina.

How so? They are terrible on set pieces and there goaltender is the shortest player on the team

jresse · 06-26-10, 10:24 PM

i like england over germany

Alexgurv · 06-27-10, 02:50 PM

Originally posted by Alexgurv

How so? They are terrible on set pieces and there goaltender is the shortest player on the team

Goaltender is too short and the defense is terrible it should be 1-0 really

Alexgurv · 06-27-10, 03:42 PM

Slovakia +1 (+103) to bet 1 unit

I know I will be so far out of the majority on this one its not even funny. But the Dutch have not played THAT well. This is also around the time they chose to fall apart or come close to it. As great of an offensive team as they are, they haven't put up that many goals. The Denmark game they scored two, but those were huge defensive blunders. Japan held them at bay, and they went at it with Cameroon till the end. Slovakia showed they have some offensive range by putting up 3 against Italy. I think this game will be very close and I'm hoping that it ends 0-0 and goes to ET.

Alexgurv · 06-27-10, 04:16 PM

Brazil -1 (+106) to bet 1 unit

I'm hearing people say that South American teams are not intimidated by Brazil. But the fact is that Chile has never actually beaten Brazil in its history. Brazil has beaten them everytime other then two draws in nearly 20 games. In more recent history, Brazil has played Chile 5 times in the last 3 years and they have lost by an average of 3.4 goals. Two of those games were with Marcelo Bielsa, were they respectively lost by 3 and then 2. I think Spain exposed this team a little bit, and granted they played with 10 men half the game, Spain scored twice before the red card. Brazil will get Kaka back and the team is so loaded offensively its hard to ignore that Chile has only actually scored 3 goals.

giants06 · 06-27-10, 04:17 PM

Chile's lack of defense will destroy them. Brazil-1 very good play.

Alexgurv · 06-28-10, 08:12 PM

Japan +0.5 (-120) to win 1 unit

I have to say that I was very much into Paraguay before the tournament started but that has sort of died down for me. The New Zealand game they just looked lazy, I realize they were pretty much locked into the next round but this can always come back at you. Even though they beat Slovakia 2-0, it wasn't that impressive, and they seemed to hang on for dear life against Italy. Japan hasn't been THAT impressive if at all, but they have surprised a lot of people. They got kind of lucky against the Dutch but they took advantage of the few chances they had against Cameroon and they just dominated a Denmark team. I think this is a close game, and it ends 0-0 in regular time.

Alexgurv · 06-28-10, 09:19 PM

Portugal +0.5 -119 to win 1 unit

I think I might be one of the few on this forum with this play. But I seriously believe Portugal could win this game. This line actually strikes me as odd because I would think I would get a much greater line then this. I hate Portugal as a team, and I hope that I can win this bet and Spain advances in ET. But Portugal showed how they shut down a great offensive team in Brazil. Portugal is used to play against these types of teams and they can shut them down. Portugal and Spain have played 3 times this decade and they are 1-1-1. Spain did not play convincingly IMO even though they won there group. I just see a possible upset brewing here. Not to mention this is a "Iberian rivalry"