Betting Picks

Though a couple leagues are winding down and near deciding champions, there is still plenty of sports betting to be had for the active fan.  MLB betting is available daily as baseball enters the dog days of summer. But for most sports fans, all eyes this month will be on soccer.  World Cup betting is open for the most popular sporting competition on the globe, a tournament of 32 teams that only takes place every four years.

The inaugural match takes place on Friday in a sporting event that will capture the attention of the entire world.  It is the first World Cup to be played in Africa, with six teams from the continent participating and looking to move out of group play.  Former President Nelson Mandela, among many others, will be in attendance for the historic event.

South Africa, as host country, will play in the first game hosting Group A opponent Mexico, a considerably tough opening match for a team that may not have made it to the tourney had they not earned an automatic qualifier as the host Country.

Bafana Bafana is led by Everton forward Steven Pienaar, a 28 year old who has hit his peak.  He and his teammates have played very well in friendlies, but they have not played the most talented opponents. In the past month they have beat Denmark, Guatemala, Bulgaria, Thailand, and Jamaica; only Denmark is in the competition.

On the other side is El Tri, a club that had to overcome a terrible start to the season and a coaching change in order to qualify for the games. They too should have some confidence after their friendlies; the demolished Gambia 5-1 last week, while a week later they surprised the reigning World Cup Champions Italy 2-1 in their final warmup. Mexico has plenty of experience playing in big games; Rafael Marquez of Barcelona won a Champions League medal in 2006, while goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa made his club debut seven years ago at the age of 18.

France and Uruguay are also in group A, and play later in the evening. While Mexico is expected to advance, the second spot is not as certain. France qualified under a protested match, while Uruguay has not been a contender in many years. With that, the South Africans, despite clearly not having comparable talent, do have hope and fans at their sides.

Betting lines:  Mexico is favoured as well they should be. They are more talented, have a more successful history, and are likely to get out of the group.  However, playing on home soil in front of a crowd that has been watching years for this match will surely give the South Africans an advantage.  They are more used to the altitude and noise than arguably any other opponent, and they will need every edge they can get.  Spurred by nationalism and the support of the crowd, Bafana will play with passion and heart and go on to earn a draw to open the tournament.