Betting round-up: A-list friendlies create interest
15/08/2012 1:54:00 PM
The Socceroos are not the only side in action, with plenty of other interest in some mouthwatering friendlies elsewhere. Betting editor Paul Gough takes you through the value
Australia's clash with Scotland is not the only football international being played on Wednesday [Thursday morning Australian time], with some of the world's top teams going head-to-head in friendly matches.
And while these matches may be the bane of club managers around the world - coming just days before the start of some of Europe's major domestic competitions - for punters it means no shortage of action to bet on.
In fact, the fixture list reads like a list of possible World Cup quarter-finals instead of a round of friendly matches, with England v Italy, Sweden v Brazil, Germany v Argentina and France v Uruguay to name just a few.
England's match against Italy is being held in Switzerland and is a repeat of their recent Euro 2012 quarter-final, which Italy won on penalties after the game finished 0-0.
And with the stakes much reduced this time, the draw in this game looks the bet of the night at online bookmakers Luxbet at $3.05.
Germany are the $2.20 favourites at Luxbet to beat Argentina [$3.05] in their clash at Frankfurt in what is the hosts' first appearance since the disappointment of losing in the Euro 2012 semi-finals to Italy, when they went in as hot favourites.
But Germany lose at home about as often as a politician admits a mistake and we like the look of the $3.50 at offer at Luxbet on them to lead at both half- and full-time.
.
 |
BET |
OF THE |
DAY |
| BEST BET |
VALUE BET |
| England draw with Italy at $3.05 at Luxbet |
Uruguay to win v France at $3.50 at Luxbet |
Brazil also look value even at $1.99 to win, with Sweden at $3.40 after their disappointing tournament at Euro 2012. Another team that disappointed at Euro 2012 in France look a risk at $2 at home to South American powerhouses Uruguay at $3.50.
Australia's two great rivals in the Asian confederation are also in action in friendlies on Wednesday, with Japan at home to Venezuela and South Korea home to Zambia.
And while both should win comfortably against modest opposition, neither looks much value with Japan at $1.48 against Venezuela at $6.25 and South Korea at slightly better odds of $1.61 against minnows Zambia at $5.25.
However, they are not the shortest-priced favourites of a busy night of world friendlies, with reigning world and European champions Spain a prohibitive $1.08 to beat tiny Puerto Rico at $25.
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