Copa America Betting: Brazil complete quarter-final line-up

Copa America / Michael Lintorn / 14 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

Neymar felt he delivered his Santos form as Brazil beat Ecuador 4-2

"Despite their unconvincing early form, Brazil are unsurprisingly still rated the most likely Group B participants to take the trophy at [4.0]."

Brazil, Venezuela and Paraguay all progressed to the quarter-finals on a hectic final day in Group B, and two of those sides will renew acquaintances this weekend.

The main theme of the Copa America group stage was that of the favourites starting unthinkably slowly and then raising their game when it mattered most and Brazil kept it alive with a 4-2 victory over Ecuador.

The holders, winners of four of the last five editions, entered their final Group B fixture knowing that defeat would end their participation but they wound up claiming top spot after two strikes from Alexandre Pato [[6.2] to be top goalscorer] and Neymar [[6.0]], the latter's first competitive goals for his country.

It wasn't all plain sailing for Mano Menezes' men though, who were twice pegged back courtesy of Felipe Caicedo by an Ecuador side who hadn't found the net in their first two matches in what was easily the most goal-littered day of the competition so far.

In the earlier encounter, Venezuela and Paraguay both booked their last-eight places with an action-packed 3-3 draw. Venezuela scored twice in the final two minutes to avoid defeat, in doing so denying Paraguay their first triumph and finishing above the World Cup quarter-finalists.

Brazil's success later in the evening made that late action even more significant as Paraguay were ranked the second-best third-placed team, a position that due to a few flaws in the format means that they now face the Group B table-toppers again, while Venezuela must meet Chile.

Despite their unconvincing early form, Brazil are unsurprisingly still rated the most likely Group B participants to take the trophy at [4.0], however even that is a big increase on the [3.3] that they were offered at before the tournament.

Venezuela's impressive performance to date hasn't altered the perception that they are the least likely nation to go all the way for the first time in their history at [95.0], while Paraguay's upcoming collision with the Selecao renders them [29.0] long shots.

The knockout rounds get underway on Saturday with Colombia clashing with Peru and an Argentina versus Uruguay showdown that the Albiceleste are [1.6] to win. Don't forget - every single Copa America game is available for free via Betfair's fantastic Live Video service.

It would be the biggest shock in a competition of surprises if Ecuador beat the second favourites but Brazil are finally about to hit form, writes James Eastham....

After picking two winners from two recommendations on Argentina's 3-0 win over Costa Rica betting expert James Eastham runs the rule over a decisive Group B clash in Salta on Wednesday....

Uruguay followed Argentina in avoiding a humiliating group-stage exit but their failure to top Group C means that they must now negotiate a way past the hosts....

Betfair website

Michael Vaughan: England batting line-up needs a re-think

ODI preview / Michael Vaughan / 27 June 2011 / Leave a Comment

Ian Bell needs to face as many balls as possible in the form he's in

"Where I think England need to have a re-think is in the batting order. Ian Bell is the most in-form batsman in the side at the moment so we can’t have a repeat of Saturday afternoon where he was watching from the sidelines. He should definitely play and he should open the innings."

Michael Vaughan on why Ian Bell belongs at the top of the order and how Samit Patel needs to start giving something back.

A new era for England's ODI team starts on Tuesday when Alastair Cook leads the side out for the first time since being appointed the full-time ODI skipper.

Stuart Broad got his own T20 captaincy off to the worst possible start with England's lacklustre display in a heavy defeat on Saturday, as predicted in this column. Both will have wished for a slightly easier opposition than this well-drilled Sri Lanka side that contains a handful of highly-talented match-winners.

The first thing Alastair Cook needs to do is make sure he gets the right balance in the side. My guess is the team will look like this: Cook, Kieswetter, Trott, Pietersen, Bell, Morgan, Patel, Bresnan, Broad, Swann, Anderson. That's a good-looking side on paper and I've got no problems with the bowlers or the all-rounders. Where I think England need to have a re-think is in the batting order. Ian Bell is the most in-form batsman in the side at the moment so we can't have a repeat of Saturday afternoon where he was watching from the sidelines. He should definitely play and he should open the innings.

The best ODI openers fall into two categories. Firstly, guys like Adam Gilchrist or Virender Sehwag who hit big from the word go and can clear the ropes. And secondly, players like Sachin Tendulkar and Mark Waugh, who are masters at finding gaps in the field through sheer timing and throughout their careers perfected the art of building an innings; a little more cautious at the start and then accelerating as they start to really get their eye in. Ian Bell is very much in the latter category of course and England need to juggle the order around somehow so that he does open the batting.

I also think Kevin Pietersen needs to bat at three. A top three that contains Cook and Jonathan Trott is perhaps a little too pedestrian for my liking. They'll get you runs because they're both fantastic players but the rate at which they get them is a bit of a concern and if they eventually get out, it puts pressure on the middle-order to have to score very quickly before they've had a chance to really get themselves in. Few players in the world can score as quickly as KP when he's on-song and England need him at the crease during those crucial first 15 overs.

Samit Patel is a super prospect and I've spoken in this column before about how he has all the talent in the world to be anything he wants in this game. His weight and general fitness has been the only thing that has so far stopped him from achieving his ambitions so it was slightly disappointing that, in his first match back in the side, he lost his wicket by virtue of being lazily run out. The selectors have been patient with Patel but he needs to put in a couple of eye-catching performances throughout the series to reward the faith they've put in him.

Michael Vaughan hasn't forgotten what happened the last time these two met in an ODI and is confident this England side in transition will once again struggle against Lasith Malinga and co....

Ed Hawkins previews the first of five one-day internationals between the teams, starting with the contest at The Oval on Tuesday...

A lot has happened in the world of international cricket since Ricky Ponting lifted the Cricket World Cup back in 2007 including a dramatic rise in popularity in something called T20. But this is the real thing and the one...

Betfair website

Ultimate Barcelona Manchester United line-up revealed

Champions League / Dan Thomas / 27 May 2011 / Leave a Comment

Lionel Messi was picked by 98% of the 20,000 people who picked their Europe's Ultimate XI

"As sponsors to both finalists, we are delighted to announce a team that pays tribute to the incredible performances of both clubs this season.”

Lionel Messi was named in a whopping 98% of teams as football fans around the world voted on the best hybrid line-up of FC Barcelona and Manchester United players, ahead of the Champions League Final between the two clubs.

Through the specially-created Europe's Ultimate XI microsite, more than 20,000 punters answered the call from Betfair, who sponsor both clubs, to select their dream starting XI from both finalists.

And the process has produced a mouth-watering team worth an estimated £1 billion in transfer value.

With fans of both clubs involved, loyalties were put to the test as supporters weighed-up the credentials of naming their favourite stars, or replacing them with the opposition.

United centre back Nemanja Vidic was perhaps surprisingly the most frequently-picked defender from both squads, with 81% selecting the Serbian.

More unexpected was that Vidic was the surprise choice as most popular Manchester United player, edging ahead of England star Wayne Rooney, who earned a starting place in 78% of teams.

In midfield, despite being the subject of intense media attention, Ryan Giggs received backing of fans all over the globe. Nearly six in ten (59%) of would-be managers selected the Welsh winger in their fantasy formation.

And, despite enjoying cult hero status with Barca fans for his trophy-laden spells as player and manager, Pep Guardiola was no match for the experience of Sir Alex Ferguson, with more than six out of ten Spaniards choosing the Knight of the Realm as boss.

Europe's Ultimate XI: (4-3-3 formation)

Sir Alex Ferguson

Edwin Van der Sar

Dani Alves
Gerard Pique
Nemanja Vidic
Eric Abidal

Xavi Hernadez
Andres Iniesta
Ryan Giggs

Lionel Messi
Wayne Rooney
David Villa

Betfair's Leo Thompson said: "Our customers and football fans everywhere have had their say, and come up with an awe inspiring and unbeatable line-up of talent. As sponsors to both finalists, we are delighted to announce a team that pays tribute to the incredible performances of both clubs this season."

There's still time to pick your own ultimate XI and share it via Facebook and Twitter. For more information visit: europesultimatexi.betfair.com

Want to know how Manchester United can stop Barcelona? Michael Cox assesses the likely patterns of play and selection conundrums ahead of Saturday's Champions League final....

Smart bettors will look beyond the result, because there is some excellent value on offer in some of the other markets before the showdown at Wembley on Saturday night, writes James Eastham....

Two famous clubs. One fascinating final. Mike Norman takes a look at how both Manchester United and Barcelona made it to Saturday's mouthwatering Wembley showpiece....

Betfair website