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World Cup Day 6

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Tue Jun 17, 2014 at 10:04:01 AM EST
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Bit of a bounceback yesterday as I hit 2 out of 3 (and frankly, in terms of the run of play, all 3). Now 3-9-1 ATS for the World Cup. Today's picks:

FIFA World Cup 2014 - Group H - Belo Horizonte - Belgium -1½ over Algeria. Belgium provides good betting value as they are a top team but punters do not give it top team respect. Now if you look at FIFA rankings, the line is fair, if not favorable to Algeria (ranked 22 to Belgium's 10.) My view is that FIFA rankings are not particularly predictive (Ghana was 38 for example, Portugal 4.) And I think that's the case here. I like Belgium a lot in this spot and in this tournament.

Group A - Fortaleza - Mexico +1½ over Brazil. Off first game performance, Mexico was better than Brazil. Brazil as a team does not convince me at this point. I was thoroughly impressed with Mexico who could have won by 4. Brimming with confidence they will give Brazil all it can handle, and if the refereeing is fair (Ha!), even win.

Group H - Cuiabá - South Korea Pick (+240) over Russia. This is a fitness in the oppressive conditions (South Korea ALWAYS very fit) and price pick. Despite bad recent form, (Korea was beaten by Ghana 4-0 in WC tuneup) this is one of the best propositions all tournament imo.

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    World Cup Day 6 | 15 comments (15 topical)

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    I got nuthin (none / 0) (#1)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Jun 17, 2014 at 10:22:04 AM EST
    Going to sleep

    I was grooming poodle feet and ears last night, and one snuck out of the house to avoid it.  I was up until 3 driving the neighborhood calling for her and looking for her.  I slept for 3 hrs and went looking for her again, neighbors took her in last night.  She was barking this morning when I was outside calling for her so they let her out and she came home.  What a turkey.

    MT: You did good. (none / 0) (#6)
    by christinep on Tue Jun 17, 2014 at 02:13:48 PM EST
    I'm glad that your poodle (aka "that turkey") is back.  

    Parent
    Thank you :) (none / 0) (#8)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Jun 17, 2014 at 09:20:25 PM EST
    I was very scared that coyotes would get her.  We have a coyote problem where I live and many pets, particularly dogs, have been picked off.  I am grateful that people living in the subdivision kept her indoors until morning.

    Parent
    I expect Mexico... (none / 0) (#2)
    by kdog on Tue Jun 17, 2014 at 11:01:01 AM EST
    to give Brazil a game too...they've played them well in the past, and Dos Santos was the best player on the pitch for either team in the openers.

    CONCACAF is undefeated so far...who'd a thunk that?  

    Vamos Norte Americanos!

    Algeria up 1 - nil at the half. (none / 0) (#3)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Jun 17, 2014 at 12:18:47 PM EST
    Gotta say, if it were not for BTD I would not have learned how much fun the Tour de France and WC soccer are.

    Thanks BTD!

    Talk about some effective half-time adjustments. (none / 0) (#4)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Jun 17, 2014 at 12:44:44 PM EST
    Belgica up 2-1.

    Parent
    Mexico beat Brazil for 2012 Olympic gold. (none / 0) (#5)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Jun 17, 2014 at 01:19:26 PM EST
    Who's to say that lightning can't strike twice?

    No GOOOOOAAAAALLLLs !!! (none / 0) (#7)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Jun 17, 2014 at 07:23:17 PM EST
    But as 0-0 games go, it was a barnburner. Mexico's goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa is El Hombre.

    Parent
    San Ochoa de la Virgen Neto! (none / 0) (#10)
    by kdog on Wed Jun 18, 2014 at 08:39:58 AM EST
    What a show by the Mexican keeper...perfect example of a Nil-Nil result that is action-packed entertainment.  If the highlights are any indication.

    Parent
    That was a performance for the ages, ... (none / 0) (#15)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Jun 18, 2014 at 04:06:53 PM EST
    ... the type that most goalkeepers can only dream about. Seven saves! That it came against Brazil, a prohibitive favorite for this year's World Cup, on the Brazilians' home turf had to have been sweet. ir Ochoa even earned two of the "Top Ten Plays" in last night's edition of ESPN Sportcenter broadcast.

    I became a big fan of Mexican fútbol when the national team stunned heavily favored Brazil in the gold medal game of the 2012 London Olympics. As fun and inspiring as it was to see them battle their way to the championship game that year, I really didn't think they stood a chance, and was happily proved wrong.

    I'd love to see Mexico make a real run in this year's World Cup, and provide the nation with another sorely-needed emotional uplift.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Croatia... (none / 0) (#16)
    by kdog on Thu Jun 19, 2014 at 07:57:17 AM EST
    is going to be a tough match...the Croats look damn good, and if not for that Fred "Flintstone Flop" could well be on top of the group.

    But El Tri controls their own destiny...win or draw and they advance, while Croatia must win to advance.  Should be a great match.

    Parent

    Fútbol Spam (none / 0) (#11)
    by CoralGables on Wed Jun 18, 2014 at 09:01:33 AM EST


    SITE VIOLATOR (none / 0) (#12)
    by Peter G on Wed Jun 18, 2014 at 09:22:05 AM EST


    But as site violators go, ... (none / 0) (#14)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Jun 18, 2014 at 02:48:09 PM EST
    ... this computer-generated English translation, from whatever the original language was, is actually pretty amusing. Frankly, I think we should ALL by Spain, and spend insurance rounds.

    Parent
    Action-Packed start to Day 7... (none / 0) (#13)
    by kdog on Wed Jun 18, 2014 at 11:29:15 AM EST
    Holland strikes first at the 20th minute, Tim Cahill serves up an instant equalizer for the Aussies at the 21st.  

    World Cup Day 6 | 15 comments (15 topical)

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