in Soccer Betting Trends

After all the hype surrounding England, the fourth tipped favorites at (+800) to win it all, their inaugural game was a far cry from their predicted domination of Group B. Instead, Ashley Cole-inspired disasters established him as the weakest link in the back four defense line of John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Gary Neville and Cole. On the attack they were meek, fatigued and cowardly - a fact that became glaringly obvious when the lone goal of the game came from Paraguay skipper Carlos Gamarra. That’s right. It took an own-goal from Paraguay for a parched England to claim three points and lead Group B! Not exactly the anticipated watershed moment for England’s World Cup campaign, no pun intended of course!

Well, as the roaring English fans settle down, and the truth of England’s debut three point winner dawns on a newday, the question for the football bettor is – what to do with the quagmire that is Group B?

Fortunately for football bettors and English fans, England’s next match-up is against Trinidad and Tobago? But is it really fortuitous. Indeed they are the choice bet on the money line that opened with them as the favorites at (-700). It would also seem that the bettors agree as bookmakers have since moved the money line to (-800) to balance the action. Trinidad and Tobago that opened at (+1400) is now at (+1600). Clearly bettors have very little faith in the Soca Warriors ability to win this perceived mismatch!

Provided that England does not muck it up this time, this match-up should be an all English victory. But before you go and place your wager down on England and prematurely celebrate their seemingly imminent win, there are a few things to consider! So let’s break it down.

Firstly England’s performance against Paraguay was not exactly inspiring and definitely nothing to write home to the fans about!  Trotting about the field for 90-minutes and teetering in the heat they delivered nothing spectacular save Beckham’s free-kick that happened to bounce-off of Gamara’s head for the lone goal of the match! That’s right! Say it with me. It took an own-goal to beat Paraguay 1-0! Plus, if the fans could see how dried up the English squad looked then you had better believe that Trinidad and Tobago also noticed how they were struggling. An uninspiring opening match that had England in terrified retreat for most of the time is hardly the way to instill fear into the mighty Soca Warriors now is it?

On the other hand, the tidings from the English camp - that coach Sven Eriksson is mulling over recalling Rooney, - surely is an uplifting turn of events for fans and bettors alike. Or is it really? This question brings us to the second point that one must consider when betting on the outcome of this match.

Before the World Cup began, the England and Trinidad and Tobago match was largely perceived as a mismatch, a small bump on England’s road to success. Clearly that misperception has changed as not only did Trinidad and Tobago come off of an epic performance that played to a 0-0 draw against the favored Swedes, but, they secured the draw with cool class in spite of being reduced to a 10 man team after the dismissal of Avery John early in the second. Rather impressive for their first ever appearance at a FIFA World Cup finals, don’t you think?

So has England heard the roar of the Soca Warriors? Who is nervous now? Are the English trembling in fear, so much so that they feel the need to recall the blessed feet of their injured striker, Wayne Rooney in order to salvage their World Cup campaign against an opponent that has been thus far underestimated? Or is this meant to unsettle Trinidad and Tobago? Could this be something to think about, when looking at that money line. At the very least this might bring one to consider the draw which is now at (+600) from (+500). Certainly with the draw result of their initial match against Sweden, Trinidad and Tobago have proven that they are capable of playing for a draw against a European team making the draw bet at (+600) rather attractive.

Finally when considering wagering on this match - whether it is on the money line, on the spread or on the over/under, you should also take into consideration the fact that neither team, save for the own-goal in England's match, scored in their opening matches and the post-game antics of the English squad. No seriously. On paper the English team has good players, but they have yet to prove that they are good enough on the field. It is arguable that with their propensity to succumb under scorching heat of the sun they are at a disadvantage against the Caribbean Soca Warriors. And with the odds relying heavily on England’s ability to weather through a 90-minute match, then soccer betting enthusiast should make a mental note of consulting the weather channel for the match day conditions as well as inquiring into team England’s side line water provisions before putting their money on the line. For if England will succumb to fainting spells once again then - save for a torrential downpour - nothing will stop the Caribbean underdogs, bolstered by their debut achievement, from turning the tide against England and teaching the world to dance to the beat of Calypso music! 

If you believe in fairytales then this could be the Cinderella story of the World Cup and the match that could turn this group upside down. For England this will be the test, will they sink to the bottom of the quagmire, or do they manage to stay afloat? 

That leaves us with the second match-up in this group, Sweden - afloat thus far in Group B with one point, - against a pointless Paraguay, no pun intended. Sweden coming off of a disappointing opening match against the overwhelming underdogs - Trinidad and Tobago tipped at (+100000) to win the World Cup finals,- is tipped on the money line at (+110) making them only slightly favored over Paraguay tipped at (+250).

Provided that Paraguay does not repeat the disastrous blunder of scoring an own goal, and should Sweden return on the field with the same strangled ambition of its opening game, then this match could very well play out to another disappointing draw. For fans and spectators that would be tantamount to a disaster, but for the bettor, the draw bet on the money line at (+215) could make for an instant splash! Naysayer’s beware, unlikely as this may be, after all this is the World Cup and anything can happen.

But seriously Sweden can ill afford a draw if it wishes to advance out of the group stage and considering it is tied for second place with Trinidad and Tobago then this is the match where it should attempt to assert its place in the quagmire that is found in Group B. Initially predicted to be the runner-up of Group B and clearly the favorite in this match-up Sweden should be a good bet.

On the other hand after bungling their first match, Paraguay needs a win if it wishes to save face and salvage the remnants of their World Cup campaign. If you think the underdogs have what it takes to create another upset in this group then Paraguay at (+250) would provide for some sweet returns.

Considering that Sweden is only slightly favored in this match-up this match has all the signs of going either way. While the first and second place finishes in Group B are by no means a done deal; if there is any round of match-ups that can decide the outcome of this group then it is definitely the second round of match-ups. It is my opinion though that while the Sweden will battle it out with Paraguay, the war will be between the Three Lions and the Soca Warriors.