WITH THE 2014 World Cup just around the corner, those of you struggling to get excited about the tournament in Ireland’s absence may decide to have a flutter to give you a reason to stay awake into the early hours of the morning.
Here at TheScore.ie we’re not averse to putting a euro or two on a game, especially during the biggest competition in world football.
With that in mind, here are some of our team’s top tips with some long shots thrown in.
Outright winners
Diego Maradona celebrates Argentina's last World Cup win. CARLO FUMAGALLI / AP/Press Association Images
CARLO FUMAGALLI / AP/Press Association Images / AP/Press Association Images
Best bet – Argentina 4/1
Brazil might be favourites because of home advantage but their neighbours have the strongest attacking options in the competition and, as the cliche goes, goals win games.
Reasonable chance – Germany 13/2
I know what you’re thinking, no European team has won the World Cup in South America but none had won outside the continent of Europe before the last competition and Spain still came away victorious. Germany are Europe’s best hope this time around.
Complete longshot – Uruguay 28/1
This could go one of two ways as Luis Suarez and company could benefit from being in arguably the toughest group in the competition or finish on two points and be on their holidays after the group stages.
Top goal scorer
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He's a long shot but Dzeko has 35 international goals to his name. Jeff Roberson / AP/Press Association Images
Jeff Roberson / AP/Press Association Images / AP/Press Association Images
Best bet – Lionel Messi 7/1
The narrative is that Messi isn’t the player he was but with 41 goals in 46 appearances this season, the Barcelona playmaker goes into the tournament to pick up the Golden Boot.
Reasonable chance – Sergio Aguero 12/1
If Argentina go far, they’ll need more than Messi finding his shooting boots and with Nigera and Iran to play Aguero could have four or five before the group stages are even finished.
Complete longshot – Edin Dzeko 50/1
With a relatively open group, Bosnia could make their way to the quarter-finals of this tournament and, if they do, there’s little doubt the Manchester City striker will be their main point of attack.
Stage of elimination
England know what quarter-final elimination feels like. PA Archive / Press Association Images
PA Archive / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
Best bet – Belgium group stage 7/2
Sorry hipsters but this is too good a bet to turn down. While everyone’s favourite ‘dark horses’ should get out of their group, they are likely to face either Germany or Portugal in the second round at which stage they’ll be saying au revoir or tot ziens to the competition.
Reasonable chance – England quarter-finals 3/1
England have qualified for the World Cup on 12 occasions and fallen at the quarter-final stage six times. Should they get this far their opponents are likely to be Brazil or Spain in which case it’ll be bye, bye Roy.
Complete longshot – Brazil group stage 11/1
Look, it’s not likely to happen but it’s difficult to imagine just how much pressure is on Brazil from an expectant home crowd. Fail to beat Croatia in their opening game and things could get out of hand.
Other bets…
Team to receive the most yellow cards
Not a red card apparently, but Netherlands do tend to pick up yellows. Daniel Ochoa de Olza / AP/Press Association Images
Daniel Ochoa de Olza / AP/Press Association Images / AP/Press Association Images
Netherlands 14/1
The Netherlands aren’t great at this whole ‘fair play’ lark and had the most bookings in 2010 (25) and red cards in 2006 (2). Expect them to keep up their, eh, proud record.
Group tricast
Expect France to lose their heads. Again. JASPER JUINEN / AP/Press Association Images
JASPER JUINEN / AP/Press Association Images / AP/Press Association Images
Group E – 1. Ecudaor 2. Switzerland 3. France 12/1
We were more confident about this before France put eight past Jamaica but we’re still counting on les bleus to have their usual bout of in-fighting and, ultimately, failure.
Best novelty bet
It's going to happen, isn't it? Martin Rickett / PA Archive/Press Association Images
Martin Rickett / PA Archive/Press Association Images / PA Archive/Press Association Images
Mario Balotelli to display a personal slogan on a shirt underneath kit 11/4
We’d go all in on this one.
Disagree? Of course you do. Let us know our top tips in the comments below.
TheScore.ie guide to the World Cup's best bets
WITH THE 2014 World Cup just around the corner, those of you struggling to get excited about the tournament in Ireland’s absence may decide to have a flutter to give you a reason to stay awake into the early hours of the morning.
Here at TheScore.ie we’re not averse to putting a euro or two on a game, especially during the biggest competition in world football.
With that in mind, here are some of our team’s top tips with some long shots thrown in.
Outright winners
Best bet – Argentina 4/1
Brazil might be favourites because of home advantage but their neighbours have the strongest attacking options in the competition and, as the cliche goes, goals win games.
Reasonable chance – Germany 13/2
I know what you’re thinking, no European team has won the World Cup in South America but none had won outside the continent of Europe before the last competition and Spain still came away victorious. Germany are Europe’s best hope this time around.
Complete longshot – Uruguay 28/1
This could go one of two ways as Luis Suarez and company could benefit from being in arguably the toughest group in the competition or finish on two points and be on their holidays after the group stages.
Top goal scorer
Best bet – Lionel Messi 7/1
The narrative is that Messi isn’t the player he was but with 41 goals in 46 appearances this season, the Barcelona playmaker goes into the tournament to pick up the Golden Boot.
Reasonable chance – Sergio Aguero 12/1
If Argentina go far, they’ll need more than Messi finding his shooting boots and with Nigera and Iran to play Aguero could have four or five before the group stages are even finished.
Complete longshot – Edin Dzeko 50/1
With a relatively open group, Bosnia could make their way to the quarter-finals of this tournament and, if they do, there’s little doubt the Manchester City striker will be their main point of attack.
Stage of elimination
Best bet – Belgium group stage 7/2
Sorry hipsters but this is too good a bet to turn down. While everyone’s favourite ‘dark horses’ should get out of their group, they are likely to face either Germany or Portugal in the second round at which stage they’ll be saying au revoir or tot ziens to the competition.
Reasonable chance – England quarter-finals 3/1
England have qualified for the World Cup on 12 occasions and fallen at the quarter-final stage six times. Should they get this far their opponents are likely to be Brazil or Spain in which case it’ll be bye, bye Roy.
Complete longshot – Brazil group stage 11/1
Look, it’s not likely to happen but it’s difficult to imagine just how much pressure is on Brazil from an expectant home crowd. Fail to beat Croatia in their opening game and things could get out of hand.
Other bets…
Team to receive the most yellow cards
Netherlands 14/1
The Netherlands aren’t great at this whole ‘fair play’ lark and had the most bookings in 2010 (25) and red cards in 2006 (2). Expect them to keep up their, eh, proud record.
Group tricast
Group E – 1. Ecudaor 2. Switzerland 3. France 12/1
We were more confident about this before France put eight past Jamaica but we’re still counting on les bleus to have their usual bout of in-fighting and, ultimately, failure.
Best novelty bet
Mario Balotelli to display a personal slogan on a shirt underneath kit 11/4
We’d go all in on this one.
Disagree? Of course you do. Let us know our top tips in the comments below.
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