Thursday's Best World Cup Bets
Italy (-212) vs. Slovakia (+400, 2.5)
A draw won’t be good enough for the defending World Cup champions.
While a tie with Slovakia might be adequate for the Italians to advance to the round of 16, they won’t be taking any chances when these two teams meet in the final game of Group F play at Ellis Park Stadium Thursday.
"We're worried," midfielder Daniele De Rossi told reporters. "I said it before and I'll say it again: If we don't make it past the first round it would be a failure."
Italy is currently on the fence in Group F after drawing 1-1 with Paraguay and New Zealand in its first two games. The team’s lackluster offense gets a shot in the arm with the return of standout midfielder Andrea Pirlo, who controls the pace and played a big hand in the country’s 2006 title.
"If we can't win we don't deserve to advance," De Rossi said. "We're Italy and we ought to be able to win one of these three games — otherwise it would only be fair to go home."
The Azzurri will be pressing with the pressure mounting. Slovakia is no pushover but did allow two goals to Paraguay in their second match of the tournament.
Pick: Over 2.5
Cameroon (+316) vs. Netherlands (-158, 2.5)
The Dutch will be looking forward to the round of 16 after claiming their spot in the knockout stage with wins over Denmark and Japan in the opening games of Group E play.
However, while the Netherlands will field plenty of reserves against Cameroon, don’t expect it to just roll over. Cameroon is playing for pride after being eliminated, losing 1-0 to Japan and 2-1 to Denmark.
“I want to finish with dignity in the last game,” Cameroon forward Samuel Eto'o told the media. “We need to go out with some pride, above all for the people back home, though it won't be easy.”
Cameroon was the highest-ranked African team heading into the tournament. With the Netherlands keeping an eye on fitness and careless bookings, this match should play to a 1-1 standstill.
Pick: Draw +228