Confederations Cup

Brazil v Spain Betting Preview
What neutral doesn’t want to see Spain take on Brazil? It is the matchup that most were expecting to happen, before a ball was kicked in anger for the 2013 edition. Spain, the current World champions get the chance to claim the only big scalp they haven’t claimed in world football in recent years, that of Brazil. Victory would give Spain their first ever Confederations Cup title, for Brazil, the hosts, they are looking for an historic third title in a row. Spain have a proven winning mentality, can Brazil snap them at the Maracana?

Brazil v Spain Betting Odds at online bookmaker Paddy Power
Brazil 6/4, Spain 7/4, Draw 23/10

Online bookmaker Promotion
After scoring some fantastic goals at the tournament, Barcelona-bound Neymar has been one of the stand out players. Brazil’s big hopes rest on his talented shoulders and online bookmaker Paddy Power have a Money Back Special surrounding him. If Neymar scores the last goal of the game against Spain on Sunday, the bookmaker will refund all losing First Goalscorer, Last goalscorer, Correct Score and scorecast single bets placed on the match. New customers registering an account with the bookmaker can receive up to a £50 free bet as a welcome bonus.

Brazil v Spain Recommended Bet:
It is the dream final that just about all neutrals want to see, and both sides will be keen to test themselves against the other. But from the outset, the ball may just be in Brazil’s court on this one. They not only have home advantage, no injury concerns and a big support behind them, but they also will have had an extra day’s rest before playing the final. That could be a huge factor in the heat of Brazil. The young Brazilian side is heading into the right direction and in a year’s time at the 2014 World Cup, could be a major force. After watching the side stumble to a disappointing draw earlier in the year against England, Brazil have been definitely trending upward under coach Luiz Felipe Scolari. Leading the young Brazil forward is Neymar, the jewel in the South American nations’ crown, but his strike partners Hulk and Fred are struggling to live up to his standards.

So Brazil could be better yet, but still, as a unit, Brazil have scored 22 goals in their last eight matches. They have scored at least twice in each of their last eight matches as well. Judging from what we have seen of them at the 2013 Confederations Cup, they are not the finished product. Their defence needs some work and they aren’t that strong in the middle of the park. Their strength is powering forward and putting opponents under pressure at the back. They attack at pace and in big numbers. Should they topple Spain in the final on Sunday then they will become the first nation ever to win the Confederations Cup three times in a row. They are currently on a streak of having won 11 of their last 12 matches in the tournament. A late winner against Uruguay booked their place in the final. With a penchant for late goals, will the advantages that they have translate into claiming a big Spanish scalp?

Spain were pushed all the way by Italy the second semi final. Italy were tactically brilliant and exposed Spain down the flanks and had some big chances. But still, on the balance in whole, no matter how hard Italy pushed, Spain didn’t look like cracking. The longer the game went on, the stronger the Spaniards look. They have to be confidence, currently riding a 29 competitive match unbeaten streak, and the biggest scalp they haven’t claimed in their era of dominance has been that of the Selecao. The Spaniards looked drained in the heat following extra time in their penalty shootout win against Italy. While Italy flexed their tactical muscle, Spain adapted brilliantly to situations thrown at them in the semi. So will Spain’s resolve and winning mentality get them the only international title they haven’t won in their history? The last time that Spain lost an international match was back at the 2010 World Cup, going down against Switzerland in their opening group fixture.

Spain are likely to have the edge in the midfield area, while Brazil’s full backs could really threaten the European nation down the flanks. Spain have the better defence (having not conceded in their last knockout matches), but Brazil have the bigger firepower.  It should be a fascinating match in a fantastic atmosphere at the Maracana. Worth backing Spain at 7/4 with online betting site Paddy Power

In the Spain v Brazil head to head, it is Brazil who hold a 4-2 lead from eight meetings. They have only met once in the last twenty three years though, that being back in 1999 with a goalless friendly. Brazil haven’t lost a competitive home match since 1975.

Stat Attack
Brazil have won four of eight previous matches against Spain (W4, d2, L2)
Spain are unbeaten in their last 29 competitive matches
Spain haven’t conceded a goal in their last eight knockout matches
Brazil have scored at least two goals in each of their last eight matches
Spain have won their last three penalty shoot outs, scoring 15 of 17 attempts

Italy v Uruguay Betting Preview
The third place play off is the the undercard to the final of the Confederations Cup itself on Sunday. This actually has the promise of being a good match on paper, however, it could ultimately suffer from the heat and the two sides having played a lot of matches. It could even lead to some personnel changes in the starting line ups. This match may struggle to get up to full speed because of the temperatures and exertions already put out, and nothing riding on the match. Only eleven places in the FIFA World Rankings separate the two sides, and it should be an evenly matched game out on the pitch.

Italy v Uruguay Betting Odds at online bookmaker Ladbrokes
Uruguay 13/8, Italy 6/4, draw 12/5

Online bookmaker Promotion
There will be more focus on the final itself of course between Brazil v Spain. Brazil’s young star Neymar has been one of the headline grabbing acts so far. If Neymar scores the first of last goal of the Fina against Spain, then online betting site Ladbrokes will refund all losing bets placed on the Correct Score, First Goalscorer and Scorecast markets. This provides great coverage at Ladbrokes who offer up to three free £10 bets as a welcome bonus.

Italy v Uruguay Recommended Bet:
The two nations will try and pick up the pieces of semi final disappointments. Overall in the 2013 Confederations Cup, Italy have produced the better quality football of the two nations playing off for third place. Not only did they push Brazil hard in their group decider, but then took World Champions Spain all the way to a penalty shoot out and they had their chances to take the win too. Coach Cesare Prandelli deserves huge credit for some brilliant tactical awareness throughout the tournament and he has gotten the best out of his squad. They have just fallen short when it has matter most, but it hasn’t been for the want of trying. They have been unlucky, hitting the woodwork seven times in the tournament, but they are an expansive side who likes to attack and they work tremendously hard in closing down opponents.

The exhausting semi final against Spain won’t have helped their cause at all, as they looked pretty much out on their feet during extra time. They left everything out on the pitch, hanging in there with Spain being the stronger finisher of the two sides. But they have their strengths, they like to get forward and they are very resilient. They are without main striker Mario Balotelli, so Stephan El Shaarawy is likely to get a start. Overall, they have been better than Uruguay during the tournament, but it is the South Americans who are favourites. The extra day of rest that Uruguay have had, could be telling in the end. Uruguay were undone by a late Brazil goal in their semi final match up. Coach Oscar Tabarez is still trying to get the best out of his side, who still haven’t been able to piece everything together tactically.

They have never really looked all that threatening, but did get Brazil on the back foot for a while in their semi final. For some reason they can’t find more goals, and they look a bit hesitant to really commit to too much going forward. The coach will now have to make a decision about keeping Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani and Diego Forlan together up front, with the production from them being pretty low. While Italy have had less rest, for Uruguay, this will be their 7th match in the last 25 days, so they have been busy. They perhaps will want this more, for nothing more than confidence. They have a bigger focus on trying to get back to Brazil next summer, their qualification still in doubt. La Celeste looked a world beating side when they claimed the 2011 Copa America, but it’s been downhill since. Following that win against Italy in November of 2011, La Celeste have won just six of nineteen matches since.

This may just all play out to nothing more than a battle of fitness, as opposed to being the great game of football that it could have been. The South Americans may just have the edge and therefore a Draw/Uruguay half time/full time bet for value of 5/1 at online betting site Ladbrokes.

In the Italy v Uruguay head to head, there have been seven previous meetings, and the tally stands at two wins apiece. This will be their first ever Confederations Cup meeting. The last time they came together was in that 2011 friendly meeting, where Italy were being punished for being wasteful in front of goal.

Stat Attack
Edinson Cavani has just six goals in his last 28 appearances for his country
Italy became the first team in 16 games to keep a clean sheet against Spain
Italy have hit the woodwork seven times in the tournament, half of the 14 in total by all teams

Brazil v Uruguay Betting Preview
The two South American neighbours clash in the semi final of the 2013 Confederations Cup on Wednesday, looking for a place in the final. Brazil have been entertaining their home fans wonderfully with some fantastic attacking play, and will probably be hoping to get to test themselves against Spain in the final. The famous gold shirts will be starting the match as favourites against Uruguay, who still haven’t quite pulled everything together as a cohesive unit. Still, after winning two of their three games, they at least are still in the fight and will go searching for a big upset.

Brazil v Uruguay Betting Odds at online bookmaker Bet Victor
Brazil 4/11, Draw 7/2, Uruguay 7/1

Online bookmaker Promotion
There is some insurance to take on all Confederations Cup betting at online betting site Bet Victor. Their promotion comes in the form of a Red Card Refund. If any player is shown a red card in a Confederations Cup match, then the bookie will refund all losing Correct Score, First Goalscorer, last Goalscorer, Scorecast and Half Time/Full Time bets on that particular match up a maximum of £25. There is up to a free £25 bet available for new customers registering an account with online betting site Bet Victor, as the bookie will match the value of your first settled bet on an account.

Brazil v Uruguay Recommended Bet:
In the battle of South America, Brazil are very strong favourites. They won all three of their group matches and just seem to be going along nicely, with plenty of goals in them. They took somewhat routine wins over Japan and Mexico to open up with, even if they play did fall short of the mark sometimes. In their final group match, which happened to be a group-winning deciding match, they went up against a good Italian side. They were given a run for their money as well, because the Italians showed a lot of resilience and just wouldn’t give up. The thing is, Italy found big gaps in the middle of Brazil and they exploited them. They also found that pressing Brazil high up the pitch, forced the South Americans into giving some poor possession away. Italy were missing Andrea Pirlo too, as the Azzurri went down 4-2 in a thrilling match. Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari will be happy enough with how his side look pouring forward, but not so much when it comes to solidity and holding the ball in the middle of the park.

Neymar has pretty much stolen all the show, and his strike partners Hulk and Fred really don’t look as if they contribute all that much. So there is room for improvement up top for them took. But still, Brazil had the forward power to kill the game off, and they have momentum with their three wins, and from averaging three goals per game as well Brazil. The two goals they conceded against Italy (which should have been three were it not for the crossbar) are the only goals that Julio Cesar has let past him. Uruguay however, had a slow start to the tournament, looking outclassed in their opening defeat against Spain. Then they were very scrappy in a 2-1 win over an inexperienced Nigerian side, but a routine 8-0 win over rank outsiders Tahiti was enough to put them through to the semi finals, where they will meet their northerly neighbours.

Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez has at least fulfilled the the goal of reaching the knockout stage, albeit drawing the short straw now of having to face Brazil. Uruguay are a good tournament side, they have their way about them, even though their form over the last couple of years hasn’t been great. They rested pretty much their starting eleven against Tahiti and will hope that that has done wonders for their forward line. For a man being linked with Real Madrid and Chelsea, Edinson Cavani has looked disinterested on the big stage, but Luis Suarez has looked dangerous and Diego Forlan still has magic left in his aging legs. La Celeste will need all three to really up their games if they are going to outgun Brazil. Uruguay have been a bit disjointed for a while now and there are no guarantees that they will be back in Brazil next summer for the World Cup. However, a win over Brazil would do their confidence a whole power of good.

A thrilling derby game in prospect, but the star of the show so far has been Barcelona-bound Neymar. Given his exploits so far, could be worth running with Neymar as First Goalscorer for a price of 3/1 with BetVictor.

In the Brazil v Uruguay head to head there have been seventy previous clashes between the two. Brazil hold the head to head lead by 32-19. In those seventy matches, Brazil have netted 125 goals to 90 from Uruguay. This will be the first time they have met in the Confederations Cup. Their last coming together was in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, with Brazil winning 4-0 in Montevideo, following up a 2-1 win in Sao Paulo over their neighbours. In actual competitive tournament matches (World Cup and Copa America), everything is level at ten wins apiece and eight draws.

Brazil v Mexico Betting Preview
The foundations have been laid for Brazil to produce something special in this tournament. They got themselves off to a comfortable start with a 3-0 win over Japan and now they have another big chance to impress and secure a spot in the semi finals. It is a different story for Mexico who opened their account with a defeat against Italy. So they have to try and dig deep and find a result from somewhere. If they look at history though, they can take some confidence into the match. In Confederations Cup meetings, the Central Americans hold an advantage.

Brazil v Mexico Betting Odds at online bookmaker Paddy Power
Brazil 4/11, Draw 15/4, Mexico 7/1

Online bookmaker Promotion
There is a special Money Back promotion running for the Brazil v Mexico match at the Confederations Cup on Wednesday, specific just for this game from online bookmaker Paddy Power. He scored a stunning goal in their opening match and if Brazilian striker Neymar scores the last goal in this match, then the bookie will refund all losing First Goalscorer, Last Goalscorer, Correct score and single bets on the match. Great coverage from online bookmaker Paddy Power who offer up to a free £50 bet as a welcome bonus for new customers. New accounts can will get a bonus matched to the value of the first stake placed.

Brazil v Mexico Recommended Bet:
There was a comfortable win for the reigning champions in their opening match, beating Japan 3-0. It was a brilliant strike by Neymar who set the South Americans on their way and helped to settle all nerves after just three minutes. It was in the third minute of the second half and the third minute of stoppage time that Brazil converted further goals. While there were passage of play that were devastating going forward with their attackers, they did look a bit flat in the middle of the park. There may be a missing link in the centre of the pitch from them, and they lost their way in the second half a bit. Their array of forward talent may get them far enough, perhaps until they really come up against stiff opposition. Confidence is a big factor of course and after some less than ideal form this year, they will have been happy with that opening win. Now they have to build upon it.

The win over Japan gave Brazil back to back wins, after they have triumphed over France 3-0 as well in a pre-tournament warm up match and are now unbeaten in seven. So maybe Luiz Felipe Scolari’s men are trending  upwards. This is a massively important competition for them, as it is the only competitive action that they are going to get ahead of hosting next summer’s World Cup. Will the fluid, confident Brazil show up against Mexico? The Mexicans have to come out and have a go at this one, following defeat in their opening match against Italy. They only managed to get on the scoresheet from the penalty spot and finding the back of the net has been a problem for them during 2013. That looks as if it could continue for El Tri through the Confederations Cup. There is decent pace in the side, and they actually have potential to be a dark horse, but may not live up to that until they start converting. While they go as underdogs for this match, just for a twist, when the two sides met last June, Mexico pulled off a famous 2-0 win in a friendly.

Mexico do have the edge over Brazil in previous Confederations Cup meetings. However, going based off what was seen in their opening games, Brazil should have far more of an edge going forward. The best chance for Mexico is to go heavy in the midfield where Brazil are a little weak, and hit the Brazilians on the break, they could be in with a chance. But at best, a Draw/Brazil Half Time/Full Time bet is decent at odds of 3/1 with online bookmaker Paddy Power.

In the Brazil v Mexico head to head, the South Americans lead the way over the Central Americans. In 37 previous meetings, Brazil have taken 21 wins to 10 from Mexico. The goal count stands at 69 goals for Brazil and 36 to Mexico in those meetings. This will be the fourth match in the Confederations Cup between them, and Mexico have won two of the three surprisingly. They also won the most recent meeting, that friendly last summer in Arlington, Texas. Is there a surprise on the cards here? No side has beaten Brazil more times since 2000 than Mexico have,  winning six of the last eleven meetings.

Form
Brazil WDDWW, Mexico DWDDDL

Italy v Japan Betting Preview
After securing an opening victory against Mexico, Italy look well on track to book their progress through to the semi finals of the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup. They seem to be in a very good mood and look a very competent side on the pitch. Their second challenge will vary vastly from their first, as they may have to grind down an industrious Japan side. The Blue Samurai fell to Brazil in their opening match and need to try and register something here in order to keep their own hopes of moving on, alive.

Italy v Japan Betting Odds at online bookmaker Bet365
Italy 4/6, Draw 13/5, Japan 9/2

Online bookmaker Promotion
The usual excellent football betting promotion at Bet365 will still be on offer all summer long, as the continental champions battle it out at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup. Take some 0-0 Bore Draw insurance on all matches, with online bookmaker Bet365. If the game ends goalless, then the bookie will refund all losing bets placed on the Correct Score, Scorecast and Half Time/Full Time markets. Great coverage and new customers registering an account can take advantage of the generous welcome bonus, which pays out up to a £200 free bet. Bet365 will match the value of your initial deposit on a new account with a free bet bonus!

Italy v Japan Recommended Bet:
Going based on what the Italians produced in their opening match against Mexico, the European nation will be favourite to get through this. It was a beautifully executed free kick from Andrea Pirlo which opened the scoring, and after conceding an equalising penalty, former Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli secured the win. That was an important three points and they should be able to build on it to mount a challenge on Brazil to win the group. The Italians are only at the tournament courtesy of Spain being European and World Champions, and their own finish as runners up at Euro 2012. Winning the group is massively important as it will likely mean avoiding Spain in the semi’s.

Italian coach Cesare Prandelli has made the Italians into a very dynamic, exciting unit. They press high up the pitch and don’t give opponents much time, and they have a terrific blend of youth and experience. Mario Balotelli is in fine form up front and the old master of Pirlo sitting deep in midfield making the whole Azzurri machine tick, is wonderful to watch. They really have all the tools to pull of a big surprise in this tournament. They really need to capitalise here on the quality which they produced in a quite open game against Mexico, to take out the Japanese. The Asian nation worked very hard during their opening match against Brazil. They had their flourishes, they produced some technical, good stuff in the final third of the pitch, but overall they still lacked a certain amount of bite.

They may not have enough goals in them to really challenge here, but they hussle and they harry well. The form of the Blue Samurai wasn’t great coming into the tournament and it is not often they go up against such high quality opposition. Just before heading to Brazil, they actually became the first side to quality for the 2014 World Cup, so they can use this as a big experience for next summer. There is still a lot of work needed to pull them up to really be able to compete, against the likes of Brazil and Italy. The Italians should have the class and composure to dictate this game and take their chances. Japan may be quite resilient in being broken down, but they should crumble.

An Italy/Italy Half Time/Full Time bet for a price of 5/4 looks a decent enough value to warrant a wager at online bookmaker Bet365.

The two nations have only met once before in the Head to Head stats. That meeting was all the way back in 2001, out in Saitama, Japan for an international friendly. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.

Form
Italy DWWDDW, Japan WLLDWL

Nigeria v Uruguay Betting Preview
Things are far from being settled in what should be the race for second place behind Spain in Group B of the 2013 Confederations Cup. Uruguay suffered an opening defeat at the hands of the Spaniards while Nigeria had a comfortable opening against the amateurs of Tahiti. Both still need to produce a win in order to keep themselves in the hunt for a place in the semi finals. Will it be the experience of Uruguay or the youth of Nigeria who wins out?

Nigeria v Uruguay Betting Odds at online bookmaker Bet Victor
Uruguay 8/11, Draw 13/5, Nigeria 18/5

Online bookmaker Promotion
Bet Victor are running a Confederations Cup Money Back Special all tournament long. If there is a red card shown in any of the matches at the tournament, then the online bookmaker will refund all losing Correct Score, First Goalscorer, Last Goalscorer, Scorecast and Half Time/Full Time bets placed on that particular match. So plenty of coverage there for what is a rare spattering of competitive football over the course of the summer. The maximum refund on this great offer is £25. New customers registering an account with the highly rated online bookmaker Bet Victor, who provide quality live in-running betting too, can get up to a £25 free bet as a welcome bonus too.

Nigeria v Uruguay Recommended Bet:
Even though they went out and scored a half dozen goals, it is hard to really put a definitive note on Nigeria’s chances here. They have only sent out what is nothing more really than a youth side to the tournament, and while that was enough to earn them a 6-1 win over Tahiti, it wasn’t a test for their chances against better opposition. Truthfully they could have scored a lot more goals against Tahiti if they had been sharper, and naturally the level of opposition gets a lot harder from here on out. After they square up against Uruguay, they then have to face one of the tournament favourites Spain. So this really could be the crucial match for them. If they beat Uruguay, then they will propel themselves forward to the semi final. A loss and they could be staring at an exit. Again, nothing to gauge them on at all from their opening match.

So while they racked up a confident start, the young Nigerian side will really be tested here. This is the first we will really see of their level. Uruguay are still being fancied by many to be the dark horse of the tournament. They are a vastly experienced side and know what tournament football is all about. They won’t be hitting the panic button yet, knowing that a win here will keep them in the hunt for qualification, with only Tahiti to follow. But the form of the South Americans have not been brilliant and they are struggling just to nail down their identity at the moment. They are more adventurous than they were in winning the Copa America back in 2011, but not anywhere near as consistent or cohesive. There has been a lot of tinkering with tactics to try and get the best out of their current squad, but it isn’t quite there at the moment.

The Uruguay side haven’t been helped by their youth not stepping up and performing, so the mantle of the experience in the side isn’t being passed on well. Still, they have immense firepower in Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani to call upon. Liverpool striker Suarez scored a beautiful free kick against Spain, it being nothing more than a consolation goal in the 88th minute in a 2-1 defeat. The scoreline didn’t reflect the big gap in quality between the two sides, Uruguay struggling to get the ball off Spain all match. La Celeste still have potential, and they should have more than enough to gun down the inexperienced Super Eagles. If Uruguay click at some point tactically, they may yet prove to be the dangerous dark horses.

It looks as if it should be a win for the South Americans and will be worth going for either Luis Suarez or Edinson Cavani as First Goalscorer for around the 4/1 mark with online betting site Bet Victor.

This will be the first ever meeting between the two nations.

Form
Nigeria WDDWDW, Uruguay LDLWWL