World Cup betting
R-J’S HILL, SCHOEN WAGER FANTASY BANKROLLS ON WORLD CUP
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: $6,310
Monday: Won $200
Today: Betting $230
Bet 1: $230 on Belgium (-½, minus-115)
Comment: First, a word of caution. This is not a sound betting strategy and professionals will certainly cringe. Here’s the philosophy, though: If the United States wins, you theoretically will be happy anyway. If not, at least you’ll win some money. Of course, if Belgium wins in extra time or on penalties, this will be a double-whammy blow of misery. Also, though the makeup of the teams is different, Belgium completely outclassed the U.S. in a friendly last year.
DAVID SCHOEN, REVIEW-JOURNAL
Bankroll: $4,435
Monday: Won $300
Today: Betting $475
Bet 1: $375 on Argentina-Switzerland (Over 2½, minus-125)
Comment: The traditionally strong Swiss defense looked shaky during the group stage and will be without injured center back Steve von Bergen. La Albiceleste’s back four, meanwhile, was a mess against Nigeria. Four of the six matches in the knockout stage have stayed under the total, not counting extra time, but with Lionel Messi and the Alpine Messi (Switzerland’s Xherdan Shaqiri) on the pitch, this figures to be a wide-open affair.
Bet 2: $100 on United States to advance (plus-190)
Comment: #PancakesAreBetter. The Belgians were underwhelming in the group stage despite winning all three matches, and there seems to be some magic surrounding this U.S. team, despite the fact it can’t seem to maintain possession of the ball.
