As five time world champions, Brazil have a lot to live up to. The high expectations of the side were seen in the fans’ critical responses to Brazil’s qualifying performances, illustrating just how demanding the nation can be. Despite ending the preliminary event at the top of the standings, having recorded nine wins, seven draws and two defeats, ensuring their place at South Africa will three days to spare, the Brazilian side had been subjected to horrendous abuse after their successive goalless home draws against Argentina, Bolivia and Colombia. They hit their stride, however, from April 2009 onwards, when they racked up five wins in a row, including two impressive away results; a 4 – 0 defeat of Uruguay in Montevideo and a 3 – 1 defeat of their arch rivals, Argentina, in Rosario. The latter victory confirmed their South Africa 2010 qualification.

Brazil as a country has become synonymous with footballing talent and because of this they are usually favourites for a world cup betting. Picking a few players from the crop is not easy, although 2009 did highlight the importance of certain integral individuals. Keeper Julio Cesar forms a vital feature of Brazil’s defence. Kaka, a huge influence on Brazilian football, cemented his place as a main man in the FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009 campaign, as he also took the adidas Golden Ball. Up front, Luis Fabiano proved himself a class finisher, providing five goals including a much needed goal in the 3 – 2 final win over the USA.

This year at South Africa will see Brazil contest their nineteenth consecutive FIFA World Cup finals. They are the only country able to say that they have taken part in every single edition of the tournament. They are also the only country to have won the title five times, amassing a total of sixty four wins, fourteen draws and a impressively puny fourteen defeats in the ninety two games they have played. Between 15th June 2008 and 11th October 2009, the Brazilian team went nineteen games unbeaten. Brazil are in Group G of the group phase, with North Korea (Korea DPR), Cote d’Ivoire and Portugal.

South Africa – Mexico 11 June 2010

*matches in all competitions

South Africa last 5 matches:  

Mexico last 5 matches:

South Africa FIFA ranking: 83

Mexico FIFA ranking: 17

Kick off match of the 2010 South Africa the World Cup, as seen on the free bets uk site, with the crowds welcoming Mexico this Friday for this much anticipated tournament.

South Africa has some big advantages going into this match with the home croud behind their back and a good morales as they won the previous encounter agains Mexico 2-1 in the Confederations Cup.

They are certainly not one of the top teams here but odds favour the hosts every time especially at the World Cup with the crowds pressure and the refferees decision, it remains to be seen how the team reacts to a world tournament such as these as all eyes are on them.

Mexico had a poor start to the qualifying campaign but the cange in manager brought them important victories which allowed for a facite presence in the final tournament of the 2010 World Cup.

At a first glance comparison on Freebets, Mexico has the better team with a better internal competition and players which know how to compete in a top event, the biggest downside for them is that they will play on a stadium packed of rival fans not to mention the anoying Vuvuzelas.

My tip:  Draw ( 1-1 scoreline )

Champions League Final

Bayern Munchen – Inter 22 May 2010

*matches in all competitions

Bayern last 5 matches:  

Bayern last 3 UCL matches:

Inter last 5 matches: 

Inter last 3 UCL matches: 

The match that all have been waiting for, the Champions League final between Bayern Munchen and Internazionale Milan this Saturday on Santiago Bernabeu.

Both Bayern and Inter have plenty to cheer about in this season, Bayern with the Bundesliga title in the bag and winners over the DFB Pokal as well as Inter with yet another Serie A title of champions and the Coppa Italia aiming for the ultimate trophy in club football.

Bayern has finished the Bundesliga season in stile with 2 victories over Bochum and Herta 3-1 the final score followed by a clear victory in the DFB Pokal final 4-0 over Werder Bremen. Their season suffered a slow start in all competition but the team kept growing match after match passing Fiorentina, Manchester United and Lyon in the knock out stages of the UCL.

Frank Ribery is their big star to miss this match after a suspension but with Altintop to take it’s place the team will gain a better defender on the flank. Sneijder is the big player to watch, surely after a superb season he will want to prove it all in the much anticipated final.

Inter Milan finished the season in the Serie A with a 0-1 victory away to Siena but this final is all there is on their mind missing this ultimate trophy for almost 50 years. Although they dominated the domestic league since 2000, their performances in international events have been limited.

Running past though opposition like Chelsea, CSKA Moskva and last year’s champions Barcelona, Inter Milan proved that a strong team and tactics will make them overcome any opponent.

A big miss for them will be Tiago Motta who was sent out during the last match with Barcelona, adding to Davide Santon’s long injury and Ivan Cordoba presence in doubt.

My tip:  Bayern Munchen to win ( 2-1 scoreline)

The odds on England winning the World Cup been drifting in recent weeks due to several key players either picking up injuries or ending the season out of form after the long Premiership season.

The England World Cup Odds are now out to 13/2 with one bookie, that’s a point better than they were available at a few weeks ago when England were all the rage in World Cup Betting. The bookies’ odds don’t necessarily make England any less likely to win the World Cup but they are often a good measure of confidence behind the team going into the World Cup.

Gareth Barry, who has become a key midfielder under Fabio Capello, is now only rated around 50:50 to go to the World Cup after injuring his ankle in the penultimate game of the season against Tottenham. Chelsea skipper John Terry was thought to be in risk of missing the World Cup last week after picking up a foot injury, he seems ok but these injuries can always come back to haunt players during physically exhausting tournaments like the World Cup.

There are even question marks against players such as Arsenal defender Ashley Cole and Spurs winger Aaron Lennon, both of whom missed most of the second half of the season only to return with a couple of games left. This of course leaves them relatively fresh for the World Cup 2010, but they may not be in top form going into the World Cup.

Then there is star player Wayne Rooney, not long ago he was all the rage in the World Cup Golden Boot betting but now he has ended the season carrying a few injuries and not scoring. England’s World Cup hopes seem to rest firmly on the Man Utd striker’s shoulders as otherwise England are looking at the likes of Emile Heskey and Peter Crouch to fire them to World Cup glory, not exactly an exciting prospect.

England, will surely qualify from the group stage and then their odds will shorten but they still look to be short of the quality required to win the World Cup, especially with Spain looking so strong this year. Are we just being too patriotic thinking that England can win the World Cup or do they genuinely go to South Africa as one of the most likely winners? Only time will tell.

Barcelona – Valladolid 16 May 2010

Barcelona last 5 league matches:

Barcelona last 3 home matches: 

Valladolid last 5 league matches:

Valladolid last 3 away matches:

Table positions: Barcelona - 1, Valladolid - 16

Barcelona home table position: 2

Valladolid away table position: 9

The most interesting day in this season of the Primera Division with 2 matches that will decide the champions as Barcelona welcomes Valladolid and Real Madrid travel to Malaga.

Barcelona with the first chance in grabbing the championship trophy as they have 1 point over their bitter rivals and will play in front of a packed Camp Nou. Their latest form is great with 4 victories in the last 4 played in the competition.

They have turned home ground in fortress with 17 victories and 1 draw in all 18 played with a compelling goal ratio of 53 scored and only 11 conceded.

Real Valladolid will most certainly put up a great fight, the team has 36 points, the same amount as Malaga, Tenerife and Racing Santander, all of them in danger of relegation, it remains to be seen which 2 will leave the competition for the Secunda Division.

They have showed a rise in form lately and managed to grab 8 vital points in the last 5 matches played defeating Sporting Gijon and Racing whilst ending in goalless draws against Malaga and Getafe. Their away statistic is modest with 3 victories and 7 draws in all 18 played with a negative goal ratio that shows 14 scored and 26 conceded.

My pick:  Barcelona to win

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Mallorca – Espanyol 15 May 2010

Mallorca last 5 league matches: 

Mallorca last 3 home matches:

Espanyol last 5 league matches: 

Espanyol last 3 away matches: 

Table positions: Mallorca- 5, Espanyol - 11

Mallorca home table position: 3

Espanyol away table position: 18

Fifth spot holders Mallorca are pushing for a victory against Espanyol in the hope that Sevilla will stumble against Almeria and their road to the Champions League preliminaries will be paved.

Mallorca seem to experience the fatigue after a long season with a clear plunge in results lately as they lost the last 2 matches in the Spanish Primera Division. They have assured themselves a spot in next season’s European tournament and with a victory here and a stroke of luck that competition could be the UCL.

They are one of the strongest teams in the tournament by home play, only below giants Barcelona and Real Madrid but managing only 1 point from the last 2 against Malaga and Real Madrid bringing their statistic to 14 victories and 1 draws in 18 played.

Espanyol sits comfortably mid table with a total of 44 points, no aspirations for them in advancing and no threats to relegate. A modest season all together but one in which their hopes and aspirations where fulfilled.

Away play is not their strongest point by any means with just 2 victories and 5 draws in 18 matches played whilst traveling and a goal ratio that shows only 9 goals scored and no less than 27 conceded.

My pick:  Mallorca to win

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Milan – Juventus 15 May 2010

Milan last 5 league matches:

Milan last 3 home matches: 

Juventus last 5 league matches:

Juventus last 3 away matches:

Table positions: Milan - 3, Juventus - 7

Milan home table position: 6

Juventus away table position: 6

Final stage of the Italian Serie A as well and a derby match between AC Milan and Juventus, 2 teams which have struggled and will probably be glad to start fresh in the summer.

AC Milan is on the third spot of the table, a spot that will be held by them no matters the outcome of this final leg as they have 3 points over Sampdoria and no less than 10 gap from second AS Roma.

This match will be an interesting one from another point of view, coach Leonardo will split ways with Milan after this but the current form of the team is really bad with only one victory in the last 5 played and losing the last 2. Their record on home ground shows 11 victories and 5 draws in 18 played but with 3 draws in the last 3 played here a match against such an opponent will be difficult.

Juventus is on a disappointing 7th spot after what was one of their poorest seasons in the past few years and claiming a participation in next season’s Europa League only due to the fact that Inter won the championship.

They have been alternating victories with defeats lately, managing good results on home ground but lossing all points in away matches as the case with the last 3 played.

My pick: Draw

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