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Soccer

Handicapping 2018 World Cup Gambling Futures & Odds

2018 World Cup Futures

A lot of the talk right now is whether Russia should still get a chance to host the World Cup in 2014. Whether they will or won’t is politics so lets focus on who will that event, regardless of where it is played. Here is a look at the odds of the top contenders so far.

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Soccer

Euro Cup 2012 Final Spain vs. Italy Lines + Predictions

Germany vs Italy Euro Cup 2012 Betting Picks + Odds

Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas came up big in Spain’s opening match against the Italians, firing in the tying goal in a 1-1 draw, which salvaged a point for the defending champions in a lively encounter in Gdansk.

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Soccer

Euro Cup 2012 Italy vs. Germany Preview Lines + Predictions

Germany vs Italy Euro Cup 2012 Betting Picks + Odds

Germany will look to end their major tournaments winless streak against Italy when the two meet in the second Euro 2012 semifinal matchup on Thursday’s in Warsaw.

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Soccer

Euro Cup 2012 Free Picks Portugal vs. Spain Preview Lines + Predictions

Spain vs Portugal Euro Cup 2012 Betting Picks + Odds

European and world champions Spain will have to work together as a team if they want to suppress Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo on Wednesday in the first of two exciting Euro 2012 semifinal matches to determine who moves on to Sunday’s final.

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Soccer

Euro Cup 2012 Free Picks Czech Republic vs. Portugal Preview Lines + Predictions

Czech Republic vs Portugal Euro Cup 2012 Betting Picks + Odds

With Tomas Rosicky’s injury being more severe than first thought, the Czech’s chances have fallen off quite a bit. On the other hand, most didn’t really didn’t think that they would get to this point anyways, so it is like playing with the house’s money at this point.

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Soccer

Euro Cup 2012 Free Picks England vs. Italy Preview Lines + Predictions

Italy vs England Euro Cup 2012 Betting Picks + Odds

England was one of the four teams to not lose a match during group play. They of course drew in their first outing against the French, and then went on to win their last matches to take the group.

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Sports

Euro Cup 2012 Free Picks Spain vs. France Lines + Predictions

France vs Spain Euro Cup 2012 Betting Picks + Odds

With the group stage completed, all eyes will be on the eight teams left competing in this weekend’s four Euro 2012 quarterfinal matches.

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Soccer

Euro Cup 2012 Free Picks Greece vs. Germany Lines + Predictions

Germany vs Greece Euro Cup 2012 Betting Picks + Odds

With the group stages completed, the second match of the 2012 European Championship quarterfinals is set to get underway, with a marquee matchup that pits one this year’s overwhelming favorites against the underdog winner from 2004.

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Soccer

Euro Cup 2012 Free Picks – Croatia vs. Spain Lines + Predictions

Spain vs Croatia Euro Cup 2012 Betting Picks + Odds

Both of these sides sit on four points heading into the final fixture period for group C action. With Italy sitting on two points, and a match against Ireland, these two know that a draw is not going to cut it.

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Soccer

Euro Cup 2012 Free Picks – Portugal vs. Netherlands Lines + Predictions

Holland vs Portugal Euro Cup 2012 Betting Picks + Odds

The last Group match between these 2 teams is a big one, as each can progress to the knockout stage or be eliminated.

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Soccer

Euro Cup 2012 Free Picks – Sweden vs. England Lines + Predictions

Sweden vs. England Euro Cup 2012 Betting Picks + Odds

Two sides that have a deep history of playing tightly contested matches will square off in a second Group D clash, as Sweden takes on England on Friday with three crucial points on the line.

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Soccer

Euro Cup 2012 Free Picks – Spain vs. Ireland Lines + Predictions

Spain vs Ireland Euro Cup 2012 Betting Picks + Odds

In what looks like the biggest mismatch thus far, action from Group C of the UEFA Euro 2012 tournament continues with the Republic of Ireland looking to rebound after being blown out by Croatia when they take on the defending champions Spain on Thursday.

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Soccer

Euro Cup 2012 Free Picks – Italy vs. Croatia Lines + Predictions

Italy vs Croatia Euro Cup 2012 Betting Picks + Odds

Every Euro match is a big one, but this one is HUGE, as Croatia can progress to the knockout phase with a win and Italy needs a win since they played to a draw in their first match.

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Soccer

Euro Cup 2012 Free Picks – Netherlands vs. Germany Lines + Predictions

Holland vs Germany Euro Cup 2012 Betting Picks + Odds

The UEFA Euro 2012 Group Stages continue with a highly anticipated match from the “Group of Death”, as an old rivalry is renewed when Germany and the Netherlands clash in Group B play on Wednesday afternoon.

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Soccer

Euro Cup 2012 Free Picks – Spain vs. Italy Lines + Predictions

Italy vs Spain Euro Cup 2012 Betting Picks + Odds

Prior to their falter at the 2010 World Cup and the ensuing matches, this could quite possibly have been the match of the tournament. Instead, you have an Italy side going up against all odds when they face off with Spain on Sunday.

When: Sunday, June 10, 12:00 PM EST
Where: PGE Arena Gdansk
TV: ESPN
Line: Spain (-140), Italy +0.5 (+350), Draw (+255)

Spain comes into this match looking to be the first nation to win three major tournaments in succession, as they are defending European champions winning Euro 2008 as well as World Champions winning World Cup 2010. This is a side that ended 2011 with a bit of a flutter, but they have gotten everything going since the calendar turned.

The Spaniards are 4-0-0 in 2012. They have only conceded one time during that span, and that was during a 4-1 drubbing against South Korea. Their 2012 aggregate is 12-1. Pretty impressive and pretty discouraging for their upcoming competition as it seems they have things figured out.

It surly doesn’t leave much wiggle room for the Italians who much like Spain, finished the 2011 year on a bit of a downswing. The difference is that they have not found their way out of it yet.

They have however, come into this tournament with a balanced group after having transitioned into a youth movement after the train wreck that was their World Cup 2010.

Still, Italy has lost three matches in a row, on home soil and without netting a single goal. [ad-3678122]

I will be interesting to see how the always-controversial forward partnership of Mario Balotelli and Antonio Cassano will work together. If they can attract as much on field attention to their play as they do for off field distractions, they could very well led this hungry bunch of Italians out of the group stage.

Players to Watch:
Spain – Fernando Torres

Sure, this is not the same Torres from two-plus years ago that was destined for greatness at the top of this game. He is still an outstanding attacking threat though. He has recently started to pick things up for his club, and I am anxious to see whether he can carry his momentum through to his international play.

Italy – Gianluigi Buffon
There are a few players we could point out here, but against Spain, everything is going to start along the backline. Why not highlight the guy that has been in goal for Italy for what seems like an eternity. With over 100 caps under his belt, dating back all the way to 1998, if Italy are to right the ship, it will begin with Buffon.

Matt’s Free Pick– Italy–This is one match that is difficult to call. However, just from a betting perspective, I have to go with Italy against the spread. This will be tighter encounter than most are expecting as all opening round matches seem to be a little cagey.

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Soccer

Euro Cup 2012 Free Picks – Denmark vs. Netherlands Lines + Predictions

Holland vs Denmark Euro Cup 2012 Betting Picks + Odds

Bert Van Marwijk has possibly the most talented squad in the tournament, but his team has been seeded in Group B, the group of death , and will open the tournament on Saturday against Denmark.

The Netherlands after reaching the World Cup final in 2010 are second favorites, but can they live up to expectations?

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When: Saturday, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Oblasny SportKomplex Metalist
TV: ESPN / FOX
Line: Netherlands (-165), Denmark (+500), Draw (+265)

On one hand, you have a side that is expected to make it all the way to the final.

Then in Denmark’s case, you have a solid side that is expected to finish last in the group because it has to not only face and take down Germany and the Danes–two of the best squads in world football–but will also have to fair well enough against Portugal and their superstar Cristiano Ronaldo who is arguably the best player in the world.

The Netherlands have enjoyed a pretty successful 2012 campaign thus far. The lone hiccup being in their EURO 2012 tune up matches. Bulgaria used a 93rd minute goal to propel them by the Dutch side when they were playing in front of their home faithful.

Aside from that match, Holland are a perfect 3-0 in the others. Including wins against England, Slovakia, and Northern Ireland.

On the other side of the ball you have a solid side that has just not played well this year. [ad-3678122]

Denmark lost to Russia 2-0 back in February, then they had one good tune up match, and one bad. The bad came against Brazil in which they fell by a margin of 3-1. Then they softened up the schedule a little bit with an aging Australian side. A match that they took by a 2-0 score.

Although the Netherlands is a far superior squad, Coach Morten Olsen does have a good mix of youth and experience and some key players that could make a massive difference.

Players to Watch:

Denmark – Nicklas Bendtner

Another attacking threat to be on the lookout for. He has scored six goals in his last eight international appearances. If Denmark are to break through in this one, it will likely be due to this young attacker. Who is just 24 years old right now.

Netherlands – Robin Van Persie

This guy is just a goal scoring machine. He had one of the better goal scoring seasons in EPL history earlier, and that has not slowed down on the international level. Van Persie has scored seven time in his last nine games.

Although that is a little skewed with his four goal outburst against San Marino, no one would be surprised if he opened the scoring in this one.

Matt’s Free Pick– Netherlands–The Dutch attack will be far too much for the Danes, who just can’t sit back and defend for 90 minutes.

They’ve got to push, which will probably result in outnumbered counter attacks and eventually their demise.

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