The final games of Group A will be played simultaneously on Saturday at 3:00 PM EST, though only one game truly matters as Japan and Mexico have already been eliminated.  With both Brazil and Italy tied atop the group at six points, the outcome of this game (aka the loser) will determine who faces Spain in the semi-finals.  As things stand right now, Brazil would win the group because of their superior goal differential.  Thus, the scenarios are easily apparent: Brazil can win the group with a draw or win, while Italy must beat Brazil to win the group and avoid a semi-final match against Spain.   Written by Garret Yancey Because it must beat Brazil to win the group, some might think that Italy is going to throw caution to the wind in order to come out victorious.  After conceding three times to Japan though, the Azzurri’s attentions have to be directed to their back line.  Italy is known for it’s defensive soccer, and I expect their entire focus to be on turning out a strong defensive effort against the host nation.  Remember, Italy is the nation that birthed Catenaccio, and is more prone to winning games 1-0 than 4-3. Expect to see the Italians lay back and absorb Brazil’s attack for most of the game, then break on the counter quickly when they gain possession.  Not having Andrea Pirlo on the pitch, who is out with a calf injury, will definitely affect Italy’s ability to possess the ball, and create attacking chances.   Unless Brazil gets a lead early on, don’t expect to see a Pirlo-less Italy recklessly throwing numbers up the pitch until late in the game.   On the other side of the pitch, Brazil only needs a draw to win the group...

The Confederation Cup kicks off Saturday marching a major event on the soccer calendar. Every 4 years as a dress rehearsal for the World Cup the host nation gets the opportunity to bring in elite soccer teams to compete for a prestigious title.  Strap in and gear up, it should be a wild 2 week ride like always. If you missed our Group A preview, click here. Written by Garrett Yancey Group B Spain Odds To Win Group: 4/9 Odds To Win Tournament: 13/8 Matches: 6/16 vs. Uruguay @ 6:00 PM EST, 6/20 vs. Tahiti @ 3:00 PM, 6/23 vs. Nigeria @ 3:00 PM The best team in the world is looking to cement its legacy as the greatest of all time over these next two summers, with visions of winning both the Confederations Cup and the World Cup.   While we all know which is the more important title, Spain will be looking to atone for their shocking 2-0 defeat to the United States in the 2009 Confederations Cup semifinal.  Their record in recent international competitions says it all: 2008 Euro Cup champions, 2010 World Cup Champions, 2012 Euro Cup Champions.  Spain has not only enjoyed a golden generation of players, but those players have capitalized on the opportunities presented to them on the biggest stages.  If Spain and its same core group of players can do the unthinkable and win the 2014 World Cup, this team will go down as the best international squad to have ever played the game. Coach Vicente Del Bosque has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal when selecting a starting eleven.  Other international managers would be begging to have half, or even a quarter of the players that Spain brings to this tournament.  The squad is so deep and...

The 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup is finally upon us, with host nation Brazil ready to show the world that everything is good to go for the summer of 2014.  Though this competition is mainly used as a rehearsal for host countries to prepare for the much larger and more prominent World Cup, it also provides the tournament participants to gain some invaluable experience against quality opposition.  This year is no different, as the likes of Brazil, Spain, Italy, Mexico, and Uruguay are all vying for the trophy.  Also competing are Japan, Nigeria, and Tahiti, with each hoping to pull their best United States impression and make a surprise appearance in the final.  While the 2009 final between Brazil and the United States was a memorable one, no one can argue that the world wants to see the host nation meet Spain in this year’s final.  The talent on the field for that match would be absolutely insane, and the current soccer kings would be taking on the team they took the crown from.  A lot of matches must be played before that can happen, so let’s begin our preview by analyzing the teams in each group. Written by Garrett Yancey Group A Brazil Odds To Win Group: 8/13 Odds To Win Tournament: 3/2 Matches: 6/15 vs. Japan @ 3:00 PM EST; 6/19 vs. Mexico @ 3:00 PM; 6/22 vs. Italy @ 3:00 PM The pressure is on for coach Luiz Felipe Scolari and the Selecao to get their act together after a string of uninspiring performances.  Since taking over command of the squad in late November of 2012, Scolari’s squad has only managed one win in their preparations for 2014, a 4-0 thrashing of lowly Bolivia.  Other than that, Brazil has drawn four times and lost a...

Tottenham winger Andros Townsend will have treatment for a gambling problem at the Sporting Chance clinic in Hampshire after being charged by the Football Association with betting offences. The 21-year-old midfielder, who was on loan at QPR between January and the end of the season, withdrew from the England Under-21 squad for this summer’s European Championship in Israel when the charges became public on Friday. Townsend’s betting activity is not connected to match-fixing although sources say it was flagged up by bookmakers to the FA as ‘irregular’. Cick here to read full article Todd’s Take: Most people reading the article will see this gambling story as problematic and part of an epidemic among European soccer players but I see it differently. Considering there was no impropriety in Tottenham games where he was directly involved, credit the league and club for being proactive in seeking a solution.  Addressing the issue publicly speaks volumes about how seriously the EPL takes gambling rather than sweeping it under the rug pretending these types of incidents don’t take place.  Stopping the gambling by offering solutions to the problem prevent situations from escalating to match fixing as players seek “alternatives” to pay off potential debts. One thing I continue to support and will for the foreseeable future is how European Football associations understand gambling will take place so instead of ignoring it’s existence, they remain ready to forge solutions not only to protect the integrity of their sport but also the safety of their...

FA Cup trends of note (provided by @Ukbettingpro) In the last 17 finals, the under 2.5 is 14-3 Last 10 finals, 8 have been won by the clear favourite and the other 2 games were between teams of a comparable standard. The last 7 finals have been separated by one goal with two of those were decided via penalty kicks. Only 2 of the last 12 finals has seen a side cover a -1.5 line on the handicap markets. Wigan only beat 1 team in the Premiership to secure a birth in the FA Cup Final...

Written by James Kempton (follow him on twitter @ukbettingpro) I have been warning for the last two weeks that this is the time when stakes on EPL games should be reduced.  Although form lines are clearly drawn in the sand it is hard to assess how games will pan out.  This is from both a motivational standpoint; how teams will perform under pressure, both at the top and the bottom of the table.  So be careful and keep stakes to a minimum and see below for the key thoughts to this Saturday and Sunday match ups. Fulham v Reading – Both sides have nothing to play for here bar pride.  I sense this being an open game as over 2.5 goals has been seen in 11 of 17 home games for Fulham and 10 in 17 road games for Reading.  If you want a bet on the outright market the trends point just one way as Fulham are 5-2-1 at home to sides in the bottom half of the EPL table. Norwich v Aston Villa – Villa boosted their survival bid with a 6-1 win over Sunderland last Monday Night Football so will be very confident going into this game.  However, Norwich are 4-4-0 on home soil to fellow lower half strugglers.  There has been no away win in the 3 EPL meetings between sides but all have featured at least 2 goals. Swansea v Man City – City won the meeting 1-0 in Manchester back in October but last season the Swans won this fixture 1-0.  Since their Carling Cup win the home side have appeared more than lackluster and have not won in 3 dates at home.  The value in the betting market here is squarely on the away win. Tottenham v Southampton – Spurs are...

Written by James Kempton (follow him on twitter @ukbettingpro) First things first on a busy EPL weekend of games: A big welcome back to the baseball season and my over-riding thought (bar will my New York Mets get to seventy wins) is how do you MLB cappers do it? Doing stats work like this every single day would put me into early retirement! Anyway, moving on and my snapshot roundup has proved popular previously so below are my brief thoughts on each weekend match up. Reading v Southampton New Reading boss Nigel Adkins hosts his former club for a must win game for Reading. Like women, managers are at their most dangerous when scorned. Southampton isn’t a great team and Adkins knows every chink in their armour as he personally recruited the majority of their roster. Reading are 2-3-2 at home to teams in the bottom half of the EPL whilst the Saints are 2-3-2 on the road to teams in the bottom half of the table. The stats say this will be an evenly fought game so a tricky game from a betting perspective. In view of the ‘Adkins Revenge’ scenario bets should be leaned in favour of the home team. Norwich v Swansea On paper this is to be the dullest game of the week. A functional hard working Norwich side entertain a Swansea side who appear to have gone on their summer holidays already. Norwich have a decent record against sides placed in the top half of the table as they are 3-2-3 at Carrow Road against such opposition. Researching deeper though throws up a stat that could make this a cracker of a game. All three EPL meetings of the sides have cashed an over 3.5 ticket with Norwich registering three...

Written by James Kempton (follow him on twitter @ukbettingpro) The EPL springs back into life this Easter weekend after an international break that has left me thirsting for some high intensity Premiership action.  Weekends following such extended international breaks can often be difficult to read in terms of outright and handicap markets.  The amount of jet setting many Premiership stars have done these last few days will have seriously affected the coaches ability to adequately gameplan.  All these air miles may look good on your credit card statement but not so good for the energy levels in your legs for the last 20 minutes of high octane EPL.  I believe the 3 bets below offer great value for EPL bettors. Whether bet as singles or in a parlay, they should keep you interested and more importantly get you to the window with profit. Swansea v Tottenham Goals definitely look in store at the Liberty Stadium when Spurs travel to Wales looking to get their Champions League qualification hopes back on track. There’s been 48 goals scored in Swansea’s 15 home games so far this campaign whilst Tottenham has been a part of 51 goals in their 15 away games.   The sides have met three times in EPL action with Swansea yet to register a victory. The respective fixture finished all square last season as the teams shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw.  I am cautious about backing Swansea outright moving forward given the apparent attitude of coach Laudrup. Their recent Carling Cup Final win is where the majority of efforts were centred placing limited emphasis on their EPL standing. Before that game Laudrup rested many senior players, giving the indication that he had given up all hope of European qualification via the League route.  With just four...

Written by James Kempton (follow him on twitter @ukbettingpro) This Sunday will see one of the biggest bet games of the season as Tottenham make the trip to Merseyside to take on Liverpool.  The  game will be beamed around the world and bookmakers will be frantically looking to balance their books ahead of kick off for what will be a massively bet fixture. However, just like the prettiest girls at the school disco don’t always make the best wives, the biggest and best games do not make the best bets! Instead, this Sunday we take our betting bank 122 miles North East from Liverpool to St James Park, Newcastle for the match between Newcastle United and Stoke City. Newcastle appear back on track now after a poor start to the season which saw them languishing very low in the EPL table. Coach Pardew has stabilised things in recent weeks and enters this game with two consecutive home wins.  A 3-2 win over Chelsea was followed up by a great come from behind win over Southampton. The home side are 15th in the table but know a win here would almost, barring a miracle, guarantee their EPL survival for next season.  Stoke have been their usual strong self at home but their poor away form, which has plagued them throughout their EPL residence has continued. They appear safe from relegation, currently sitting eleventh, but they have a style of play that when on a bad run could send them back towards the drop zone. Looking at the market prices here the number on the home win is very tempting. Stoke has won just one of fourteen away from home and have lost four straight on their travels. With their two recent home wins and seven...

Written by James Kempton (follow him on twitter @ukbettingpro) This Sunday White Hart Lane stages one of the most significant North London derbies for many a year. Neither side has any hope of catching Manchester United at the top of the EPL but it is a game where the loser of sees their Champions League qualification hopes diminish. It could also be a powerful indicator as to a potential shift in power between these two London giants. Tottenham have not finished above their local rivals since the 1994-95 season but they come into this game above the Gunners and more importantly in much better recent form.   It may be surprising to learn that despite such recent dominance, Arsenal does not have a great record at White Hart Lane. Only four wins in their last twenty EPL visits does not do justice to the stranglehold they have maintained over Spurs. If the match result is hard to figure out here, the way the game pans out may be slightly easier to predict. Action, excitement and plenty of goals certainly look like they’re on the agenda at White Hart Lane this Sunday. The last seven meetings between the two sides has seen at least three goals and both sides have found the net in twenty two of the last twenty eight EPL meetings.  Only Chelsea have scored more than once as visitors at White Hart Lane this season which would suggest the home side have a strong defence. However, they have kept just seven clean sheets in their 27 EPL games this season.  Arsenal has fared slightly better on a defensive front keeping nine clean sheets in twenty seven matches but only twice in the last nine games. An approach the match, I like to...

Written by James Kempton (follow him on twitter @ukbettingpro) Saturday Fulham v Stoke Traditionally Fulham has been strong at home but this season they’ve been victorious in just 5 of 13 EPL games. Stoke has traditionally been poor on the road and this season that’s at least held true to form. With just 1 win on their travels you cannot back the away win under any circumstance.  It’s 7-2 in favour of the under 2.5 goal line and despite winning 1 of their 4 trips to Craven Cottage, Stoke have only scored two goals on Fulham soil.  Expect a home win here. Arsenal v Aston Villa The sky appears to be falling in at The Emirates for the reign of Arsene Wenger.  The Frenchman vows to continue though this funk and this weekend they should (I say should), pick up all three points against a poor Villa side. If you are expecting goals you may be disappointed as only 2 of the last 13 meetings between the sides has seen an over 3 line on the goals market cash. The -1.5 handicap for the home side should be covered as they look to bounce back but I suggest it with no real confidence. Norwich v Everton These sides have met three times in the last eighteen months in the EPL.  All three games have been scoring draws, with two 1-1’s and a 2-2.  This season Norwich have drawn 5 of 13 at home and Everton have drawn 6 of 13 on the road.  The odds of around 3.5 for the draw do look very attractive as I feel both sides would see a point gained from this fixture as an acceptable return.  Draw. QPR v Manchester United QPR are awful and Manchester United are...

Written by James Kempton (follow him on twitter @ukbettingpro) Who needs a thousand words of analysis per game when you can get all you need in small bite sized chunks! Here we go with a quick EPL round up for this Saturday’s fixtures to help you get your individual and parlay bets down with confidence. Tottenham v Newcastle Tottenham goes into this game having seen all of their last four games go under 2.5 goals.  The loss of key striker Defoe is a big blow for them and they are too short a price for this game. Newcastle will look to sit back and deny the space in behind the defence that quick attackers Bale and Lennon thrive on.  I sense the home side may be vulnerable here with no outright forward and Newcastle possess a beast of a striker in recently purchased Moussa Sissoko. Take Newcastle either on the handicap or as a straight up dog as the value bet in this fixture. Chelsea v Wigan Wigan has only ever beaten Chelsea once in twelve EPL meetings never winning at Stamford Bridge.  Plenty of goals look to be in the offing here as Chelsea has scored at least twice in their last five games and Wigan has scored twice in their last three games.  Time may be running out for interim Blues boss Benitez.  However, the home side has experienced veterans that will not allow them to slip up in this fixture.  Value here is with the home side on the handicap and over on the goal line. Norwich v Fulham   The three EPL meetings between these two sides over this and last season has yet to yield a Norwich victory. The meeting earlier in the season in West London was a 1-1 draw so I believe Fulham...