South Korea v Algeria World Cup 2014, 22nd June Betting Preview
Well there is a good shot here for South Korea to make a big case for qualification to the knockout stages of the World Cup. They took an unexpected draw against Russia in their opener, and now in taking on the weakest opposition in the group, a win would put them in the driving seat to move ahead in the competition. The Asians will likely have a better chance here at three points than in their final game against Belgium.
South Korea v Algeria Betting Tips
This is the first World Cup meeting between the two nations, but they have met once before in a friendly which was back in 1985. South Korea won that meeting out in Mexico, and they showed enough in their game against Russia to back to put three points on the board here. The point against Russia was against the odds because South Korea had lost their last two World Cup warm up matches without scoring a goal. But they worked hard, showed some good enterprise and weren’t overawed by the occasion or the opposition. They have played African nations twice before at the World Cup and took a win against Togo in 2006 and then a draw against Nigeria at South Africa 2010.
The Asians have only managed to win one of their last six matches played in the World Cup group stages, drawing three and losing two in that sequence. You wouldn’t necessarily look for this one to be a high scoring match, so going under 2.5 goals would be the best way to go. South Korea just look to have more pace in their ranks and they will see the big opportunity ahead of them. Chu-Young Park and Son Heung Min are 2/1 joint favourites in the anytime goalscorer market for Korea. Can they build on that point against Russia.
Algeria didn’t show very much in their opener against Belgium, a game which they lost 2-1. They only had one shot on target and that was from the penalty spot, which they scored. Still, they did make Belgium huff and puff for their win, but they don’t look a big threat going forward at all. Indeed in nearly eleven and half hours of World Cup football, they have only managed two goals. Ahead of the tournament, they were favourites to finish bottom of the group and that will be confirmed if they lost against South Koreans. However, the Algerians did put together some good form ahead of the World Cup, beating Slovenia, Armenia and Romania. It is a whole different world on the biggest football stage of all though.
h2:South Korea v Algeria Betting Odds
South Korea 5/4, Algeria 2/1, Draw 9/4
There is good insurance at online betting site Unibet for the entirety of the World Cup. The bookmaker will refund all losing Correct Score, Half Time/Full Time, First Goalscorer and Last Goalscorer bets on all matches in the tournament, if a goal is scored in injury time.
South Korea v Algeria Predictions
It probably isn’t going to be the most exciting game at the World Cup, but would lean towards just backing the South Koreans in the match outrights here. There is enough value because the Algerians don’t look to be carrying much of an offensive threat and Korea should have an easier route to goal.
