WORLD CUP BETTING PICK - SPAIN V CHILE

World Cup

2010-06-25 - Spain vs Chile

A Sports Betting Pick by Shady

Spain v Chile
Football : FIFA World Cup 2010 : Group Phase
Friday, 25th June 2010 - Kickoff

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Chile :

Chilean manager Marcelo Bielsa will be happy with his side achievement, 2 wins out of 2, and many people are backing Chile to cause yet another upset in the World Cup. No doubt Chile have done well but what most people fail to see is they were rather unconvincing in both their wins.

Chile will be without key playmaker Matias Fernandez and Carlos Carmona as both of them are ruled out through suspension. This is a major problem for Bielsa as Fernandez is their playmaker and helps Chile architects their goals.

Without Matias Fernandez in the team, Marcelo Bielsa will be even more heavily relying on Alexis Sanchez. Sanchez who plays for Udinese have raise a few eyebrows in this World Cup and another good performance here would surely see the Chilean forward moving to a bigger club next season.

Chile Team News :
Bravo, Isla, Ponce, Jara, Medel, Vidal, Millar, Valdivia, Beausejour, Sanchez and Paredes.

Spain :

Spain has not raise any eyebrows in this World Cup and they will have to start converting chances if they wish to progress. Del Bosque’s side was one of the tournament favourites heading into the World Cup but after some poor display, many bookmakers are having doubts in them winning.

Spain got back to winning ways in their last game thanks to David Villa who scored twice to gave Spain a much needed 2-0 win over Honduras. However despite a comfortable win, Spain ruined many goal scoring chance. On another day it could have easily been 5-0 to Spain.

Del Bosque knows only a win would guarantee his side a place in the next round and he is expected to start with both David Villa and Fernando Torres. I don’t seem to understand why Busquet is starting ahead of Fabregas in the previous games and this might be the game where we see some changes.

Xavi and Iniesta have done well and both the Barcelona players have combined well on. Their exquisite passing might just be too much for this Chilean side to handle. Not forgetting Spain do have Xabi Alonso in the team, which means he also can pick out an excellent inch perfect pass.

Spain Team News :
Casillas, Ramos, Puyol, Pique, Arbeloa, Alonso, Busquest/Fabregas, Iniesta, Xavi, Torres and David Villa.

The Betting Verdict :

Its simple, Spain needs to win the game which guarantees them qualification to the knock-out stages. Any other result would not do them any good as Switzerland is likely to bet Honduras.

David Villa looks in good shape, scoring 2 goals in his last game despite missing a penalty. Fernando Torres seems a little of the pace of the game in the previous game but i do expect him bounce back after missing some great chances against Honduras.

No doubt Chile have won their first two matches but both wins were somehow unconvincing in a way. They dominated against Honduras but only managed to find the back of the net once while against Switzerland, they only managed to score a single goal despite playing with an extra man for over an hour.

What is more interesting is Claudio Bravo has only made 3 saves in the entire World Cup. I still have doubts in his goal keeping credentials as the Real Sociedad keeper has yet to be tested.

I have to admit, I feel really sorry for Chile. It is really unlucky not to progress despite having 6 points. At some other groups, 4 points have already secured them a spot. The only way Chile can qualify if they lose is to hope that Honduras will do them a favour and it is unlikely. Therefore it will be an open game with Chile knowing that they cant sit back and defend.

With the game being open, i have to fancy my money on Spain. Chile are without 2 of their regular midfielders as they are suspended and surely this would have some effect towards the game.

We already seen two giant teams bow out of the World Cup – France and Italy, surely Spain wont be the 3rd team to do so?

The Pick :

BEST BETTING TIP :

Take Spain to win the game (Main Bet)
Consider trying Fernando Torres to score anytime as your side bet.