FOOTBALL TRADER
AFTER a rather bumpy build-up, Raymond Domenech’s France must feel like the world and his dog is against them. They did themselves no favours in their first night bore-fest against Uruguay however and, with things level in Group A after the first round of games, few would be shocked to see Les Bleus return home after their group stage, as they did in 2002.
The French are narrow favourites for tonight’s match with Mexico in Polokwane at 11/8,
which is perhaps justified when you consider that Javier Aguirre’s side were held to a 1-1
d
raw against South Africa.
Despite the superior talent supposedly boasted by the French, confidence is clearly low,
and I expect Mexico to come out with a narrow win. I suggest backing the Central
American side at a decent 5/2 with William Hill. We’ve seen a fair few 1-0 results so far, so there’s also plenty of value in backing Mexico to win by this scoreline at the 15/2 available on Betdaq.
Sporting Index have set their total goals market at a paltry 2.05-2.25 and as only two of the 14 matches before yesterday featured more than two goals, we shouldn’t even consider buying.
However, selling at such a short spread doesn’t really appeal either. Given their
inadequacy in the final third last time, it may be worth thinking about selling Sporting
Index’s France Team Hotshots spread at 14, where Ribery, Anelka and Govou are
awarded 25 points for each goal. None have a better ratio than one goal in 4.5 games, but even so, it’s a bit too risky for me and I’d prefer to stick my spread betting stake on a simple sell of France’s supremacy at 0.2.
POINTERS…
Mexico to win at 5/2 with William Hill
Mexico to win 1-0 at 15/2 on Betdaq
Sell France/Mexico supremacy at 0.2 with Sporting Index