World Cup betting: Don’t fall for the draw
Las Vegas Review-Journal sports writers Adam Hill and David Schoen have been given $5,000 fantasy bankrolls to bet during the World Cup on either sides, totals or props. Below are their bets for today, with an explanation of their picks:
ADAM HILL, REVIEW-JOURNAL
Bankroll: $5,260
Wednesday: Won $365
Today: Betting $125
Bet 1: $125 on United States-Germany (Under 2½, minus-125)
Comment: Don’t buy the hype about a prearranged draw here. Even though it would be mutually beneficial for both sides, they will play the first hour or so in search of a victory. If it does get close to the end, however, neither team will do much to risk exposing a defensive weakness and goals will be tough to come by in the final 30 minutes.
DAVID SCHOEN, REVIEW-JOURNAL
Bankroll: $4,065
Wednesday: Won $110
Today: Betting $550
Bet 1: $500 on Ghana (plus-210) over Portugal
Comment: I’ve never seen a team less excited to score a last-minute equalizer than Portugal on Sunday against the United States. With a goal differential of minus-4, the Portuguese are all but eliminated from the tournament, and Cristiano Ronaldo likely will not risk doing further damage to his knee with little hope of advancing to the knockout stage.
Bet 2: $50 on Belgium (-½, plus-135) over South Korea, first half
Comment: The plus money is worth a shot considering how poor South Korea has been in this tournament. The Belgians have played much more conservatively than they did in qualifying and suddenly look like a decent matchup for the U.S. in the round of 16, should the Americans finish second in their group. But the Red Devils won’t sit back against South Korea the way they have in the first two matches.
