Once the 48 games of the group phase of World Cup 2010 are completed, half of the original 32 teams make the sad journey home, while the remaining countries go into the all important last 16 knockout stage (beginning June 26th) where four games separate them from the ultimate prize – the FIFA World Cup. With a sudden death elimination style (if necessary decided in extra time or on penalties) last 16 World Cup betting is tactically very different to the group phase. Whichever teams make it to the knockout round, you will find the best last 16 World Cup odds at Pinnacle Sports, including 1×2’s with a 97% payout, and last 16 odds to advance to the quarter finals. World Cup Last 16 Betting – Top Half of Draw Complete As the group phase of the 2010 World Cup draws to a close the draw for the knockout stage is beginning to become clear. It is often said that at this stage, the tournament starts again, with form in the group stages forgotten, so don’t let your judgement be too clouded by what has gone before. The top section offers the easiest passage with one of Uruguay, South Korea, USA or Ghana making it to the semi-final – something to bear in mind when looking at their odds to win the World Cup. Last 16 Game 1 (June 26): URUGUAY vs SOUTH KOREA odds – Uruguay 1.870*, South Korea 5.00*, Draw 3.510* Uruguay qualified as surprise winners of Group A, capitalising on the disarray in the French camp, but did so on merit, going through their three games undefeated. Diego Forlan was instrumental in their success, and it will be essential for South Korea to shackle the Atletico Madrid forward if they are to have any chance of repeating the success of reaching the semi-finals in 2002. Uruguay haven’t progressed to the World Cup quarter-finals since 1970 so self-belief will be an important issue, and they come into the game as favourites against a side for whom playing in the last 16 is bonus. The Koreans rode their luck against Nigeria in their final Group game, and though things can be very different in the knockout stages, the 4-1 defeat by Argentina is a key line of form. Last 16 Game 2 (June 26): USA vs GHANA odds – USA 2.680*, Ghana 3.000*, Draw 3.180* The USA are the team that refuse to lie down. They came from behind to draw with England and Slovenia, and never gave up against Algeria, needing a win to progress. The crucial goal came in the 92nd minute from Landon Donovan, sending the American fans delirious, and putting the USA through as Group C winners, setting up a clash with Ghana, runners-up from Group D. The Black Stars look like being the only African nation in the last 16, so will have huge local support, but it was a nail-biting finish to Group C as Ghana lost to Germany in their final game, and were fortunate that Serbia couldn’t get a point against Australia. Both teams will be happy to have avoided the big-guns, and will know that only Uruguay and South Korea stand in the way of a semi-final place. These sides met in the Group phase of the 2006 World Cup where a 2-1 win for Ghana sent them into the knockout-stage so the USA will be out for revenge, and the World Cup match odds at Pinnacle Sports has the Stars & Stripes as favourites to progress. Last 16 Game 3 (June 27): ENGLAND vs GERMANY odds – England 2.680*, Germany 2.990*, Draw 3.200* England’s failure to top Group C, for which they were strong favourites, has now set up what could be the tie of the last 16 against old foes Germany. The Three Lions produced an improved display in their final group game against Slovenia to progress, with all of the three players brought in repaying Fabio Capello’s faith. James Milner provided the cross for Jermain Defoe’s goal, and Matthew Upson contributed a crucial last minute tackle. Capello must now decide what approach to take for what will be a much more significant challenge, waiting on the fitness of Wayne Rooney. Germany got the win they needed against Ghana in an edgy game, and the question being asked is if they peaked in their opening game against Australia? The World Cup is won by the team finishing (not starting) the strongest, and England now have momentum, albeit with a massive psychological challenge of overcoming a team that have eliminated at key stages of big tournaments on so many occasions. Last 16 Game 4 (June 27): ARGENTINA vs MEXICO odds – Argentina 1.505*, Mexico 8.100*, Draw 4.310* Argentina progressed to the knockout stages with a 100% record, and their odds to win the World Cup have been trimmed right in to close to outright favouritism at 5.480* at Pinnacle Sports on the back of their performances to date. Lionel Messi has done everything but score, and Diego Maradona’s other forwards have all made valuable contributions, including Gonzalo Higuain, who scored a hat-trick against South Korea. Though the Argentines are clear favourites to eliminate Mexico, the Central Americans are no mugs. El Tri have talented side, which mixes experience – such as Barcelona’s Rafael Marquez in central defence – and youth – with striker, Javier Hernandez, bound for Man Utd, but the balance of probabilty suggests Maradona will be smiling. Mexico’s keeper, Oscar Perez, is a weak link which Argentina will try to exploit, while the hope for the Greens is that they can expose Argentina’s defence which as yet hasn’t been fully tested, and is seen as their Achilles’ Heel. There are some important things to bear in mind for last 16 World Cup betting. These are one-off elimination matches, where a draw in 90 minutes takes the game into 30 minutes of extra-time, and if necessary the drama of penalties. Though it may seem perverse, for some teams, penalties can actually be an attractive option as most of any differential in abilities is wiped away, so don’t be surprised to see many under-dogs playing very defensively, banking on the lottery of penalties. Of course you can betting the excitement of the last 16 knockout stage with live World Cup odds at Pinnacle Sports priced to just 102%. *Odds subject to change Best World Cup Last 16 Betting Odds at Pinnacle Sports 1.96/1.96 style Asian Handicap soccer betting c.102% giving soccer punters up to 60% better World Cup betting odds. PinnacleSports offers commission-free fixed odds online sports betting with exchange style pricing, as well as the web’s highest guaranteed liquidity. Get the best odds on all major sports & fastest payouts online. Find the Smarter Way To Bet the World Cup at PinnacleSports.
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World Cup Betting – Last 16 Knockout Games
