OVER the the next few days I'll be putting up my antepost tips for Brazil 2014 – they'd have been done earlier but I'm still mulling over some bits and pieces.
My winner will come from Brazil, Argentina or Germany with the Argentines my favourites at the moment.
One of the most popular markets is the one to find top scorer – and remember this is slightly different from Golden Boot so beware what you're backing.
Golden Boot will be awarded to one the leading scorer but if there's a tie the player with the most assists wins. For top scorer assists won't count but deadheat rules will apply.
This year there doesn't seem to be an outstanding candidate and it's understandable why Neymar is the favourite with hosts Brazil fancied by many to go all the way.
Neymar didn't have a great scoring season at Barcelona but does well with Brazil. He netted the opener against Panama but could share the goals with Fred who struck the only counter against Serbia.
A better bet could be his Barca team-mate Lionel Messi. He also endured a disappointing season but remains the best player in the world and I've a feeling he could hit top form and shine for an Argentina side who have been paired in a “soft” group alongside Bosnia, Iran and Nigeria.
The winner has to be a player who will start, has a chance of scoring a few in an easy group and plays for a side likely to go beyond the last eight. Messi fits the bill but of course his team-mates Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Higuain will be hunting down the goals too.
Messi has bagged 18 goals in his last 16 internationals which is a superb record and he's my first choice.
Anyone looking for an outsider would do worse than consider Germany veteran Miroslav Klose, the only out-and-out striker in the squad. He's netted 69 goals for his country and should get a start.
Other players to consider include Cristiano Ronaldo at 18-1 but like Luis Suarez and Romelu Lukaka he has some fitness worries.
Recommended Bets
Messi 8-1 (Betfred, McBookie)
Klose 50-1 ew (Stan James)
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.
I like the look of Benzema at 33/1
The only concern with Benzema is that 1) is he going to start 2) if so will he be played up front. He played on the wing in their last friendly.
I’ve gone small stakes on dzeko @ 66-1 stan James
I’ve taken Messi 10/1 (special enhanced price last week)
Neymar each way 10/1
Higuian 20/1
Gotze 66/1 each way
Dzeko 80/1
Mr F, is there any. New of the fantasy football prize? I emailed admin again, but received no reply.
Thanks
Guys do this on Paddy Power as they give a free £5 bet per goal her scores min bet is 20 but he should score plenty with group there in
I’m on:
Mandzukic @150/1 each way (small stakes)
Muller @30/1 each way (£5 back every time they score offer)
Aguero @12/1 each way (£5 back every time they score offer)
Mario Mandzukic won me a lot of money in the last Euro’s and at 150/1 he is definitely worth the gamble.
He’s suspended for the first game against Brazil which is why his odds are 150/1 and not 60/1. However against Brazil he was always unlikely to make any kind of an impact and that’s why its worth looking beyond this. I fancy Croatia to get out of the group and with him being the main focal point of a strong Croatian offensive. Mexico are a relatively small team and Cameroon are hardly solid at the back. On this basis Mario is certainly capable of netting in these games and is my outside choice for this tournament.
Thomas Muller contributed massively for the Germans last time out finishing top goal scorer (from midfield). With Klose that little bit older (unlikely to play full 90mins) Muller may be expected to take up the advanced striker role at times during the tournament. Muller in my opinion should be 20/1 and with the current odds offers great value. Muller always gets himself on the scoresheet and at the very worst should see him net a couple of times (hence the £10 of the stake returned in this example)
My less ‘out there’ punt has to be with Aguero. With all the teams concentrating on stopping Messi it will be up to this man to utilise the extra space and nobody does it better. With Argentina expecting to go all the way to the final and with odds of 12/1 I would be very surprised if this man isn’t in the top four.
A thing to remember when backing top goalscorers is that you don’t necessarily need many goals to be at the right end of the table. If you look for players who are capable of hitting four you’ll be on to a winner. There’s something to be said for outside bets at good value and probably offer better value for money than your Messi’s and your Ronaldo’s.
After his hat-trick last night Jordan Ayew is 12/1 to finish top goalscorer for Ghana…Cheeky few quid on that.
A small word of warning on Mandzukic..I believe he misses the first match through suspension
sorry, craigyboy,,just reading through your write up
yep, been watching Klose in serie A this year, missed around 45% of the games. Doesnt look fully fit, a ghost in the big games…and in that heat at his age….the thing he does have on his side is that he has only played half the season. …but the down side is he likes to play deep even as an out and out striker and it makes me think he will score less with as you say, Mueller and also Gotze around him in perhaps a more flat front…
I personally fancy Lukaku to be up there. Just have a feeling he is going to score a few. Also tempted by an E/W on Schurrle but can’t decide if he is going to start for Germany or not.
How about Drogba 100/1 e/w
The Ivory coast are in a relatively easy enough group to get out of and although he may share the strike force with either Boney or Gervinho he’ll start each time and with the likes of Toure in midfield to supply he could easily bag a few. I agree with Mr F though, it has to be Messi all the way, Brazil will bag more goals but Neymar,Fred and Hulk will share them
Messi 8/1
Drogba 100/1 e/w
Mmr F,,a pre-tournament bet I like the look of, although the risks are obvious, is the 1st/2nd from each group, this bet can also be a ‘reversed forecast’ I have done a 5 group acca……..any thoughts or tips on your top 2 from the groups
Anyone think Hulk could be a shout @ 41.00 ? Maybe each way?
I’ve already put on Argentina to win with top scorer double.
Messi @ 16/1
Aguero @ 33/1
Higuain @ 60/1
Had a look at that Scuzzle. Interesting that JUST top scorer for Argentina has Higuain and Ageuro both on the same odds (7/2) BUT the outright win the cup and top scorer are miles apart..
I am avoiding the OUTRIGHTS this year though. I am taking it game by game with some strategic in-play. There are a few teams in trouble here, and I always prefer a team that peaks into a tournament – its a 3000m race, a runner will hold back until they feel its right to change the pace.
This heat is going to kill everyone after a long european season, whether its Spain or Brazil so the QF could be a surprise..
Neymar for me. I would be more concerned with Argentina spreading the goals around than Brazil.
My only quandary is whether to go e/w or not?
Exactly the problem with Argentina FITBA…those 3 can all score each game and end up with 5 each.
Argentina have the best front line by far, but the most predictable, and Sabella will have to change that front 3 around because every team will hire and park the mou bus in front of it.
I would, considering Neymar plays on the wing…
top pick fred 20/1 (16gls / 31 games)
higuain with argentina champs 50/1 (22gls / 36 games)
fred with brazil champs 40/1
Lukaku 25/1
Ibisivic 125/1 (20gls / 54 games) with 2 goals less than his strike partner dzeko if they can get 2nd place in group f where they would play france/swiss who knows
good luck lads
This is a longshot but David Villa for Spain has been joint top scorer at world cup 2010 and top scorer at euro 2008 if he gets games he could be top scorer at nice odds of upto 80/1
ARGENTINA 9/2 E/W
GHANA TO QUALIFY 3/1
IVORY COAST v JAPAN BTTS 11/10
Has to be Fred for me
I see what you’re saying about Messi but I don’t fancy him to be top scorer. My money is on Ronaldo. Got him at 20/1 so will get 5/1 a place.
Chris, re Messi I’d be hoping he scores a few in the group stage and then I can lay him.
Mr F i dunno bout messi being the top scorer either that spark he has had last 2-3 years seems to have left him at times especially coming back from injury and with the arrival of neymar.
For the sake of a good world cup i hope he does come with his A game but the last few world cups have been a bit of an anti climax so lets hope this one is a lot better than the last 2 or 3
1plus2, agree with that. Need a good one but the heat might prevent that. England-Italy will give us an idea bout the pace to expect but I’m not anticipating a great tournament. I think it will be similar to 2010 which was pretty dull.
Klose may have a good shout or even Benzema. Spain might play without any strikers and with Fabregas playing in an advance role. He is 100/1
Paul have you looked at the odds of the semi final betting with Skybet. I know anything can happen but at decent odds you can risk backing multiple selections. These are the ones I’ve backed. If you can think of any others that I may have missed then let me know lol. I have picked 9 different outcomes. Best of it is you could choose 20 different outcomes and still gain a hefty profit.
Brazil, Spain, Argentina, Germany £50 @ 20/1
Brazil, Spain, France, Argentina £20 @ 50/1
Brazil, Italy, Argentina, Germany £15 @ 66/1
Spain, Holland, Argentina, Germany £10 @ 85/1
Spain, Columbia, Argentina, Germany £10 @ 105/1
Brazil, Italy, France, Argentina £10 @ 150/1
Spain, Holland, France, Argentina £5 @ 200/1
Holland, Italy, Argentina, Germany £5 @ 375/1
Holland, Italy, France, Argentina £5 @ 750/1
Chris, my fear is there is a surprise semi-finalist as there usually is – I mentioned this the other tie. In the last six or seven World Cups an outsider has always maybe the semis, for example Bulgaria, Croatia, South Korea and last time Uruguay. Youl could pick 20 and still lose and personally I don’t think Holland will be there.
Think you’ve covered majority, obviously is someone like Switzerland gets to semis supose u just hold your hands up
Just been offered double odds (£10 maximum) by McBookie on an outright winner. Think I need to pick between Brazil, Argentina or Germany.
Brazil/messi 50/1
Vargas top scorer for Chile 7/2
He has scored most of Chile’s recent goals and tends to play in the middle with Sanchez just behind/right wing, setting them up. Vargas plays lone striker for Valencia and is more accustom to the central role, where as Sanchez is more of a right winger for Barca. Here are some stats that have swung my decision.
Last 5 games
Sanchez Goals 2 Assists 5
Vargas Goals 4 Assists 0
International Career
Sanchez Apps 57 Goals 19
Vargas Apps 29 Goals 14
As you can see prolific for his country and scoring against decent international teams, brazil, uruguay and a brace against spain last time they played.
In order.
Fred last week 20/1 as highligted now 18s got him also with brazil winners at 40/1
Higuian & argentina win 50/1 massive price
lukaku 25/1 main man for belguim up top
Ibisivic 125/1 only 2 behind dzeko in qualifying and if bosina can sneak a 2nd place to play france or swiss who knows
Germany v argentina final 14/1 never write of ze germans
Namaste :)
world cup is here, so many tipsters with rather confusing previews. i think i’ll continue to stick to Damo, the guy i fansy so much
Plies, that sums up the fact it’s pretty wide open. There isn’t an outstanding team left and on their day the likes of Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Germany, France and Italy can beat each other. I’m going to back Brazil and Argentina then look at laying them off during the group stage and maybe put something on Germany if they’re looking good. Top-scorer market is even tougher. It would be Messi clearly if had enjoyed a great season at Barca.
Paul my surprise semi finalists I’ve chosen are holland, Italy and France.
Chris, they wouldn’t be surprises the way Croatia, Bulgaria and South Korea were. You could get someone like Belgium, Uruguay or even Chile or Colombia. Once it gets to the last 16 I reckon we’ll some shocks. It’s not a bet for me to be honest. I’ll do Brazil-Argentina final and Brazil-Germany final but most of my money will be game by game.
Fair enough Paul. I have the bets on now and just added Begium into a couple of them. I really fancy the England and Italy game being a draw too. It’s def a low scoring game (although I thought that for the Greece game. I had stuck £100 on England to win to nil the other day which was a loser but Ladbrokes gave me £100 free bet. I’ve gone for the following.
£100 0-0 @ 6/1 (no Goalscorer) Free Bet
£60 1-0 Italy @ 6/1 returns £420
£50 1-0 England @ 7/1 returns £400
I’ve also stuck £20 on 1-1 @ 11/2 which returns my £130 stake should none of the above win.
Chris, I’m thinking 0-0 or 1-1 – I just can’t see how either side can risk losing the game. A draw is fine for Italy with Costa Rica up second. England have a huge disadvantage playing Italy and Uruguay in their first two. Ladbrokes shops refunding bets on usual markets if England win.
I think it’s going to be more of what team progresses further that’s going to influence Top Scorers, Messi at 8-1 is great value since Argentina to me at least look like they can hit the Semi’s easy. Toss up between him and Ageureo.
Ronaldo out of the equation.
Suarez in a group with Italy and England I don’t think so looks to be more of a 1 goal kind of win group closely fought games.
Germany and whoever is leading the line for them definitely an option.
Brazil is a possibility but I don’t see it being Neymar he doesn’t seem to dominate games in my view, perhaps like Fred? Oscar?
Harlee, remember Suarez also has fitness doubts as does Ronaldo. Neymar and Fred score about the same number of goals for Brazil.
Afternoon guys, I went into my local Coral yesterday and put on my tournament goal scorers, my main bet was Neymar 12/1. Did 3 E/W selections on in form strikers who have relatively easy groups. Benzema 33/1 Martinez 80/1 & Kerzhakov 100/1. The last one probably is risky but I think Columbia may do well in this world cup, so Martinez could be a good outside shout.
TOP SCORER BETS
NEYMAR 12/1
BENZEMA 33/1 E/W
MARTINEZ 80/1 E/W
KERZHAKOV 100/1 E/W
Be waiting to see who starts the first game for Columbia and hoping its Martinez and Guitterez as bothe are around odds of 50 and 66/1. Bacca has done well but I don’t think he will start as hes just on the scene.
Hoping there performance against Jordan was only because it was a friendly
Also liking the Chilean front line at real good value but that’s for obvious reasons with there Group
Vidal @150/1
Sanchez @ 66/1
Also you cant look by the Argentinian front line and for me
Higuain at odds 20/1 is great value and be my main bet.
Now Reus is out Getze will surely start all games for Germany and at odds 66/1 hes worth a small stake.
ALL BE DONE EACh WAY AND THE BIGGER THE ODDS THE SMALLER THE STAKE FOR ME…CANT cover and back them all can you ;)
TheChief I see you have Martinez of odds of 80/1 for Columbia :)
If Manager has faith in him and he plays anything like he does for Porto,especially towards the end of the season he be a great bet ;)
Chris Guy I would take out Holland in one of they lines and swap it for Chile sir Just my opinion and al be sticking something on them. What market I don’t know but I quiet like the bets you have put up…covers a lot of bases :)
Getting the excited way now with 2 days to go,you know the kind off feeling you used to get when you climbed the gym rope in P.E lofl ;)
Has anyone placed a multiple bet on the top goalscorer per team. i.e. Van Persie for Holland, Mandzukic for Croatia, Ronaldo for Portugal, Lukaku for Belgium…SportingBet aren’t accepting mulitples on this one.
Afternoon Craigyboy, have tried to have same wager with Coral and William Hill…. computer says no! I might call customer services but i’m pretty certain it’s because they would classify bets as ‘related’ Does seem like a good bet and that’s why we cant get on :(
Ha! Premature textulation strikes again seems like you lot got on! Will try again……
Craigyboy they are mate. I tried to back 5 players as an accumulator and they did not allow this although they allowed a maximum of 4 players. I’ve backed Ronaldo, Dzeko, RVP and Peralta with Sportingbet. Try with 4 players.
Recoba lol. Yeah Chile might be in there somewhere. I’ve added Belgium to a couple of lines and that’s it for me but you’re right Chile might have a chance. £150 stake on semi finalists is enough for me lol. Looking at around £1k or more if any of them win which will be a tidy profit mate.
I like the look of Muller for Germany. Took him as Germany top goalscorer at 4/1.
Also like the look of Gotze & Schurrie and would like to take one of them with a smaller bet but worried about game time.
Anyone any thoughts on those two? :)
I was considering Fabregas who might please as a false 9. He’s 100/1
Chris- have you added a Spain scorer at all? They are up against Holland who are great going forward but have a fairly average defence with most of the players coming from the Dutch league. Chile like wise are great going forward but lack strength at the back. Last of all well Australia are just Australia, that says it all! :D
That only goes as far as the groups but possibly a good start with some goals for Spain if they want it enough. :)
Team Top Scorer Yankee:
Emeniki (Nigeria)
Okazaki (Japan)
Mirallas (Belgium)
Benzema (France)
£20 returns £1610 :D
Shaun… I think Corals 11/8 Australia NO points…. looks a cracker of a bet given the other 3 teams in the section… some of the pundits have Australia as the weakest team in the tournament.
Chris I’ve only gone for 4.
I’ve got rid of Lukaku and its allowed the treble…Strange.
I noticed the same craigyboy on 3 6 5, some combinations wouldn’t work, I have done a 5x.
I put Higuain top scorer playing in Serie A 9/4 a few days ago.. Probably my only outright scorer bet…the rest will be game by game.
Italy England is a few days away so nothing to say.
Will you be posting up your teams to qualify soon Mr F?
deeman, they’ll be up today or tomorrow depending when I get time to do a write-up. They are all picked out.
Has anyone seen the slip william hill have out at the minute it’s scorer v scorer , I haven’t had a proper look yet but at a glance some of these seem great bets to maybe multiply a few e.g. Neymar (4/6) v cavani (11/10). And messi (4/7) v ronaldo (5-4). I’d say neymar and messi was a great bet against the other two, plenty more on slip too.qbd rather than a top scorer maybe do larger stakes and pick 3-4 of these
Cool Thanks:)
Will do my selections tomorrow night then
Brazil to wear yellow against Croatia @ 2/1 with Coral for new customers. Max £10 bet. That’s a guarantee. That’s buying money. Pity about the maximum £10.
Chris, you’d have thought so but Coral quite happy to give away £20 to get you on board.
Just having a look there Chris Guy and near 1k for $150 of bets IF any come in? Hmmm is that right! A like it with Chile in there somewhere and it all looks good to me. ;). Belgium just incase too? Not sure,but as you say can’t back and throw money at them all. GL :)
Ciro Immobile is over priced at 100/1 on Coral. He has had a great season for Torino earning him a move to B. Dortmund. He should start alongside Ballotelli against Costa Rica and maybe Uruguay and should get space and chances. Each way at 100/1 is a great bet as he is 66/1 in other places. He was 150/1 last week on Betfair but that has been cut to 80/1.
Pedro has 5 in his last ten games for Spain and at 66/1 he is worth a punt each way as I expect Spain to at least reach the final and he should get plenty of playing time.
Higuain is my big bet though. He has a group that should gift goals and with Messi and Aguero creating space and chances Higuain could fill his boots. The worry is that they share the goals round but 20/1 is a great price and he’ll defo be in the places
Craigyboy I have a 4 player accumulator on with Sportingbet. Placed on 5th June.
Dzeko @ 17/10
Peralta @ 11/4
RVP @ 31/20
Ronaldo @ 4/9
£10 returns £372.94
Give them a call and see what they say. I can email you a pic of the screenshot if that helps.
Just a bit strange Chris. Its allowed me to have the treble so I’m on with that. Lets hope the treble flies in where the other selection wouldn’t have and I’ll be having the last laugh.
When you are doing team top scorer accas they won’t let you do a multiple if two of the players are with teams in the same group. Related possibilities I was told. Dunno if all bookies are the same though.
Chris guy id throw chile into the mix as i fancy them to get through rather than holland
Any up for doing a world cup challenge bet(10-1000), I know these challenge bets are normally flops, but I think theres plenty of potential in this world cup to get a decent one going.It would be good crack to see how far we could go.
Any takers
Maybe already posted, or maybe not the right place, but here we go: http://promotions.coral.co.uk/landing-pages/crazy-prices-online/
Be good to have a challenge bet, only tenner to start can run it along side other tips n bets
robert miller- doesn’t look a bad bet at all mate. Can’t see Spain or Holland not beating Australia which leaves Chile and to have any chance of going through Chile need to get off to a good start in the opener. Not a given but looks a good one bud :)
I’m also on the Aussies to lose every game. It worked out slightly better odds to just back the games individually as an accumulator rather than the ‘Australia to lose all the games bet’ which was weird.
I also think Honduras have a great chance to lose all theirs. Small stakes on this one but Australia will be a surprise even if they score.
Chile have got a very decent team Imo and are my bankers to beat Australia, have taken them minus 1 at evens
Ciro Immobile – i have put 30 pounds on him at 80/1 with ladbrokes. i see he is 100 with other places but i think this price is great . im sure it would maybe budge as it looks like hes gonna start againast england and when i put my 30 pounds on it was still being decided on if he would be starting .
also he scored a hattrick at the weekend
also he scored a hattrick at the weekend
hi guys,i made my research and i came to :
ronaldo top of portugal
dzeko for bosnia
van persie for holland
top treble
messi for argentina
vargas for chile
five hold
final:
argentina – holland
semi finals:
argentina, holland, portugal, germany or england
Sergio Aguero is hitting peak fitness at exactly the right time for this tournament.. He looks excellent value @ 14s considering Messi lays them on a plate for him :)
Benzema looking good