in Soccer Betting Trends

Group C is considered as one of the most competitive groups in the World Cup finals with the legendary Argentina and powerhouse Holland along side the relatively untried newcomers Ivory Coast and Serbia and Montenegro. At the onset of the second round of match-ups in this group, Argentina and Holland stand with three points a piece, while Ivory Coast and Serbia and Montenegro have zero after having suffered defeats in their respective opening matches.

So what’s a soccer betting enthusiast supposed to do with this so-called “Group of Death?” Well, if the first round of matches were an indication, then this group hardly seems deathly, at least not for the favorites, as Argentina and Holland are on course to prove the pundits right and advance out of this group. Perhaps when this group was dubbed the group of death, it was merely idle flattery?

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On the other hand, Netherlands is preparing for its match-up against the Ivory Coast. The Elephants looked impressive against Argentina, while the Oranje debatably displayed nothing more than the brief flashes of Arjen Robben’s individual brilliance. Netherlands, opening on the money line at (-120), should perhaps be somewhat apprehensive of a stampede, for the Elephants, opening at (+330) are set to unleash the force of striking trio - Didier Drogba, Arouna Kone and Bonaventure Kalou. Netherlands will simply have to do much better then try to squeak by African Nations Cup finalists on the talent of one player.

If round two of Group C promises any excitement then the match to watch would be Netherlands versus the Ivory Coast. The Elephants are itching to make an impression on the international stage and considering they have suffered no injury set backs thus far, they will bring their best team and best game to the field. A draw here would simply not be good enough for either team, and you can bet that they will fight to avoid that all costs. Finally when taking into consideration the fact that Group C has had only a one goal differential in both of its opening games, then, the match-up between the Oranje and the Elephants, has all the signs of being a very close match. The bookmakers are holding the Netherlands over the Ivory Coast by only a half point on the spread.

Thus far in the finals, the wave of new countries have not yet managed to truly disrupt the old guard of soccer dominance, but if you have a fondness for the unexpected then perhaps this is the group that will not let us down. If not just to see the Argentineans on a bad hair day and more temper tantrums from Dejan Stankovic reminiscent of Bulgaria’s Stoichkov in 1994. After all where would this World Cup be without a little drama!