Special Edition: The Golden Nuggets - World Cup 2010

By Sports Magician

PADDY POWER 4-4-2 WORLD CUP SPECIAL

Paddy Power recently advertised a number of their market specials for this year's World Cup through the magazine 4-4-2 and one of them in particular stands out. North Korea face the daunting task of the ‘Group of Death’ which includes Brazil, Portugal and Ivory Coast. North Korea kept four clean sheets during their eight qualifying matches but the level of talent they will face at the World Cup is unlike anything they will have seen before. Luis Fabiano, Cristiano Ronaldo and Didier Drogba will be licking their lips at the thought of filling their boots when they face the expected whipping boys of the group. It is quite reasonable to expect at least six or seven goals to be shipped by the North Koreans and in a group where goal difference and/or goals scored may prove critical, the three established nations in the group will be conscious of taking advantage when they can. 2.50 on North Korea to concede the most goals in the group phase of the competition is too good to pass up. Dead heat rules apply in the event of a tie.

PICK: 5*NORTH KOREA TO CONCEDE THE MOST GOALS IN THE GROUP PHASE @ 2.50 (PADDY POWER)

SPORTING INDEX GROUP INDEX SPECIALS

Sporting Index are offering a plethora of betting opportunities during the World Cup, many of which are too ridiculous to even contemplate. How can anyone reasonably decipher how many times the ball will hit the crossbar over the course of the 64 matches? Markets of that kind are to be avoided, markets which we can delve into are those in which we have a vast amount of knowledge and evidence on particular teams and how they may match-up with other sides in their group. The Group Index specials work on the basis of awarding 25pts to the Group Winner, 10pts to the Runner-Up, 5pts to the side which finishes third and 0pts to the team that props up the table. There are two sides that the Golden Nuggets are quite keen to sell during the group phase.

GROUP A

South Africa were not enthused by their draw and nor should they have been. France, Uruguay and Mexico represent three sides that contain varying degrees of quality and toughness and are exactly the combination of opposition that South Africa would have hoped to avoid. Although it is not unreasonable to suggest South Africa could take 4pts from the group, it is a very tall order for them to be confident of securing qualification. Winning the group is virtually out of the question, quite simply, they are not good enough to do so despite the advantage of playing on home soil with raucous support. A best case scenario would see South Africa squeeze into second place, but once again, it is very difficult to see this happening. South Africa’s sell point stands at 5.5 which means that anything other than a qualification place on their part would provide a profit for the Golden Nuggets. The group is likely to be tight, but it’s South Africa who stand the greatest chance of being squeezed, and having to end their home World Cup at the bottom of group A. The Golden Nuggets will sell South Africa’s Group Index at 5.5 for 2pts a point.

PICK: 2*SELL SOUTH AFRICA WORLD CUP GROUP A INDEX @ 5.5 (SPORTING INDEX)

GROUP B

The Golden Nuggets backed Greece to finish bottom of their group during Euro 2008 which paid dividends and we are quite happy to oppose them once again during the World Cup. Greece are a very limited side and face Argentina, Nigeria and South Korea. Argentina are likely to run away with the group, leaving the other three to fight it out for the remaining qualification spot. Nigeria have to be given the slight edge on paper, although they are often an unpredictable side who are capable of brilliant and abysmal performances in equal measure. South Korea are not to be underestimated, although there is nothing particularly outstanding about their side, they have matured at this level ever since reaching the last four of the World Cup in 2002 when they co-hosted the event. Greece’s sell point stands at 7 which presents a lot of upside for us, as they are greater contenders to finish bottom of the group than they are to finish second, in my assessment. The Golden Nuggets will sell Greece’s Group Index at 7 for 2pts a point.

PICK: 2*SELL GREECE WORLD CUP GROUP B INDEX @ 7 (SPORTING INDEX)

CHECK PRICEFORM REGULARLY FOR FURTHER SPECIAL EDITIONS OF THE GOLDEN NUGGETS WORLD CUP 2010. SOON WE WILL BE PICKING OUT THE BEST WAGERS FOR THE FIRST WEEK OF THE TOURNAMENT, AS WELL AS ADDING FURTHER SELECTION OPPORTUNITIES AS AND WHEN WE FIND THEM.

Sports Magician