Saturday’s Best World Cup Wagers
South Korea vs. Greece
Bettors have to ask themselves whether Greece’s shocking Euro championship in 2004 was a one-time fluke or if Otto Rehhagel’s side can be successful using the same defensive discipline and opportunistic counter attack.
If recent results are any indication, soccer punters should consider the magic at Euro 2004 to be a one-time deal. The Greeks lost 2-0 to Senegal and Paraguay and only managed a 2-2 draw against North Korea. Even more telling, outside of their matches in Euro 2004, Greece have lost 10 of their last 12 matches at international tournaments.
South Korea’s outlook is much brighter. They have depth and quality among their forwards with Manchester United midfielder Ji-Sung Park leading the way.
Greece’s conservative approach can sometimes bait opponents into taking silly risks but don’t expect South Korea to bite.
We like the under but not at the price most books are offering it at. Take South Korea and sprinkle a bit on the exact score at 1-0.
Pick: South Korea (+162)
Argentina vs. Nigeria
All the talk around Argentina involves their inexperienced manager Diego Maradona. For all his brilliance on the pitch as a player, Maradona’s managerial talents are modest to say the least.
But an embarrassment of riches in terms of world-class players has the South American team among the favorites to win this year’s World Cup.
And with good reason. La Albiceleste boast the world’s best player Lionel Messi along with some of the top marksmen of the past soccer season - Carlos Tevez (29 goals with Manchester City), Gonzalo Higuain (29 goals with Real Madrid) and Diego Milito (30 goals with Inter).
Nigeria will cede possession and load up around the box and try their best to take away space from Argentina’s deadly group of forwards. That task became even more difficult when the Super Eagles lost Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel.
Expect Maradona to temporarily silence his critics with an impressive offensive assault against the Nigerian side.
Pick: Over 2.5 (-120)