I have a hard time getting a good read on that Italian team. They didn't look good in their qualifying matches and their preparation for this tournament, but har to tell, if this experienced (aka OLD) team can turn things around in time for their 1st match. Paraguay is a tough matchup since they will be playing similar to Uruguay, with a compact defense deep in their own half and with their physical style of play, this game might be a pretty rough one with many fouls, free kicks and very few scoring chances (most chances might occur after free or corner kicks).
Right now I haven't pulled the trigger on any bet, but leaning towards either another "clean sheet" bet on Paraguay (+253) or giving myself some room for error and taking Italy Under 1 team total +107....and after starting 8-0 with one push on ARG-1 I'm due for a loss anyways *lol*
Right now I haven't pulled the trigger on any bet, but leaning towards either another "clean sheet" bet on Paraguay (+253) or giving myself some room for error and taking Italy Under 1 team total +107....and after starting 8-0 with one push on ARG-1 I'm due for a loss anyways *lol*
This is game should be nothing but defense.
I'll go with Italy team total under 1 goal +103, but making a rather small bet here.
I might be due for a loss and also might be biased since I never liked the Italian national team, but I just can't see them score twice or more often against Paraguay...that's what my crystal ball is telling me:
PAR has always played very defensive minded and had a solid defense. Their physical defenders should match up quite well with the Italians inside and without Pirlo Italy might lack a playmaker who is able to create scoring chances and play the "deadly" pass...
They also seemed to be out of sync in their last couple of matches before the world cup and the recent changes due to injuries probably won't help their offensive rhythm, what doesn't bode well against a good organised defense like Paraguay.
Both teams probably can also live with a draw in that game, since NZL should be seen as a walkover and Slovakia should only be 3rd force in that group, so I would expect PAR to stand deep in their own half, relying on counter attacks and long balls to Santa Cruz and Valdez, while Italy will have trouble creating many scoring chances and playing with a controlled kind of offense, where they always make sure, that they don't open any spaces for counter attacks.
Might be an ugly game like URU/FRA, with more fouls and most scoring threats probably will come after free or corner kicks.
I might be due for a loss and also might be biased since I never liked the Italian national team, but I just can't see them score twice or more often against Paraguay...that's what my crystal ball is telling me:
PAR has always played very defensive minded and had a solid defense. Their physical defenders should match up quite well with the Italians inside and without Pirlo Italy might lack a playmaker who is able to create scoring chances and play the "deadly" pass...
They also seemed to be out of sync in their last couple of matches before the world cup and the recent changes due to injuries probably won't help their offensive rhythm, what doesn't bode well against a good organised defense like Paraguay.
Both teams probably can also live with a draw in that game, since NZL should be seen as a walkover and Slovakia should only be 3rd force in that group, so I would expect PAR to stand deep in their own half, relying on counter attacks and long balls to Santa Cruz and Valdez, while Italy will have trouble creating many scoring chances and playing with a controlled kind of offense, where they always make sure, that they don't open any spaces for counter attacks.
Might be an ugly game like URU/FRA, with more fouls and most scoring threats probably will come after free or corner kicks.
hno:
