IT took just two minutes for the Confederations Cup to come to life – and hopefully there will be more thrills and spills on Sunday.
There are two games with Mexico opening against Italy in the Maracana Stadium (8pm) and Spain tackling Uruguay later (11pm).
Mexico face a tough test against the Italians having won just one of six qualifiers with three goals scored, including back-to-back 0-0 draws against against Panama and Costa Rica and coach Jose Manuel De la Torre is under fire.
It's a different scenario with Italy who are on the up and have lost just once in 11 outings.
However, Italy have problems up top with Stephan El Shaarawy injured and a doubt over Mario Balotelli.
With no injury doubts I'd be backing Italy at a best 13-10 with Paddy Power and BetVictor but I'd rather see Balotelli starting. if he does he'll be the first-scorer pick at 5-1 with Paddy Power and BetVictor.
Mexico pose a goal threat from the likes of Man United's Javier Hernandez, 15-2 at Paddy Power and BetVictor to hit the opener, but those 0-0 draws put me off backing them and under 2.5 goals even has a chance at 8-13 with Bet365.
The evening game looks easier to call and it's difficult to see past a Spain win. World champions and European champions, a Confederations Cup would sit nicely alongside and they've taken a strong squad to South America.
Uruguay are going through tough times and went six qualifiers without a win before a 1-0 success away to Venezuela last week.
Spain, on the other hand, are unbeaten in 22 games and show little signs of their star being on the wane.
The sides met back in February in a friendly and the world champs ran out 3-1 winners and I can see them repeating the success.
Spain have conceded in five of their last seven games and of course when they met last and as Uruguay possess hitmen of the quality of Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez you have to fancy both to score at 21-20 with Stan James.
Suarez is a man on a mission as he tries to impress potentially buyers and the Liverpool ace is 10-1 at BetVictor and Paddy Power – and when did you last see him at double figures. At that price he's decent value at 7-2 with Paddy Power to net at any time.
Picking a Spanish first scorer isn't always easy as their goals are shared about but David Villa and Fernando Torres are both 8-5 at BetVictor to score at any time.
Maybe the best bet could be Juan Mata to break the deadlock as he has been a regular scorer for club and country. Mata is 7-1 at Ladbrokes.
Recommended Bets
Italy
(13-10, Paddy Power)
Spain v Uruguay both to score
(21-20, Stan James)
Suarez to score
(7-2, Paddy Power)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
Some differences in opinion when it comes down to Goalscorers. Suarez anytime 7/2 with paddypower and 6/4 with coral
Chris, 7-2 Suarez is big but at the end of the day he is playing for huge underdogs.
I’m going for 1-1 11/2
Egypt 8/11 looks a good price
Paul Paddy Power really are pathetic. Tried to stick £100 on and they would only accept £50 @ 7/2 and offered me the other £50 @ 5/2. I put £50 on and told them no chance for other £50. Stuck other £50 on with VC @ 10/3.
Chris, Paddy won’t mind me saying this but that’s small time. I’m pretty sure their top men wouldn’t be happy at those sort of decisions.
I would imagine in the Mexico-Italy game tomorrow it will go under with both looking not to lose rather than win as
sometimes happens in opening matches. Spain I think will edge it and as usual just do enough to get the 3 points but it should be tight.
In the other matches I am thinking about taking a chance on Lahti in the Finnish league. Under new management they lost 0:2 to VPS but they are going strongly at the moment. Despite the loss they did create a lot of chances in that one. They are at home again tomorrow and the visitors are Rovaneimi (or RoPS) who have lost all 6 of their home games so far and the only team in the league not to take a point on the road. 10/11 with most places for the home win. Lahti’s form doesn’t inspire much confidence but I think they could get that much needed win here. If not then they would be worth opposing in the coming weeks.
Cavani 9/2 anytime and Spain win can you get that in a double????
9/1 WITH W.hILL
Lee, yeah you should be able to do that as a double.
seeing Ellis hasn’t popped in yet. just thought i’d voice my opinion on england vs nz…IF ITS NOT A BLOODY WASHOUT. after nice win for india reckon tonight might be pretty straight forward. NZ top of group, won the previous ODI series (england slight rotation policy). last game in group stages. team who wins gurantees themselves qual, if NZ lose rely on aus win vs srilanka then comes down the NRR.
Eng have too much to lose at home, in a big match, despite NZ looking decent, and england relatively poor, gotta tip england. Cook, Bell, Root and trott in good knick. their bowling is a worry, (sri lanka 293-3 smashed em last game) but against a lineup like NZ shouldnt have massive worries.
my bets.
Eng to win $1.57 Sportsbet..
Bell Over 22.5 $1.84 Sportsbet
Guy, OK cheers for the cricket tips.
wrong area i think, washout anyway. apologies
both teams to score and spain win 5/2
spain 2-1
fabregas 1st goal, if he plays
nice