Euro 2012 Betting Thread

[SkyBlues42]

Xavi plays behind Messi, Villa and Pedro for Barcelona. To be fair, setting Messi up for a goal is something that even the worst players on the team could do. Just pass him the ball anywhere near the box and he'll take care of the rest.

If I were starting a team from scratch, I'd make sure to have people that can finish. Scoring is a skill that some people just struggle to figure out.

I get what you're saying, though. You definitely need a distributor, or at least someone to control the midfield. But players like Messi and Christiano have the all-around skill that makes them some of the best players in the World.

Let me ask this: If you're down to your last possession, and it results in a free kick just outside the box... and you can choose either Ronaldo or Xavi. Who are you taking?

[the dude]

Anyone else like Croatia today?

I'm not sure why they're the underdogs either. I think they're the better team and in better form and have really played well against Italy in the past.

Croatia are unbeaten in their last five against the Italians. They've won their last four group stage matches dating back to the last Euro finals and have scored in all of them.

As for Italy, they're winless in their last four game and were lucky, in my opinion, to get a point against Spain. I expect De Rossi to have a hard time against the in form Jelavic and Mandzukic, especially in the air where Croatia are really good (last four goals in the finals have come via headers).

Modric should be the man in the middle that controls the game for Croatia (like Chief mentioned above, he's the best player and controls the tempo of the game) and will go directly down the middle at attack De Rossi who is playing out of position.

I really like Croatia at a pk +120 and sprinkled a little on Jelavic to score +239 and Mandzukic +284.

Do the books actually think Italy is better or is public perception factoring into making Italy the favorites because they're Italy?

[SkyBlues42]

Anyone taking a chance on Ireland today? I'm definitely not, but curious if anyone is intrigued by the 14-to-1 payout on a win.

[ChiefZilla]

(06-14-2012 09:58 AM)SkyBlues42 Wrote:  Xavi plays behind Messi, Villa and Pedro for Barcelona. To be fair, setting Messi up for a goal is something that even the worst players on the team could do. Just pass him the ball anywhere near the box and he'll take care of the rest.

If I were starting a team from scratch, I'd make sure to have people that can finish. Scoring is a skill that some people just struggle to figure out.

I get what you're saying, though. You definitely need a distributor, or at least someone to control the midfield. But players like Messi and Christiano have the all-around skill that makes them some of the best players in the World.

Let me ask this: If you're down to your last possession, and it results in a free kick just outside the box... and you can choose either Ronaldo or Xavi. Who are you taking?

Well, I'd choose Ronaldo, I guess, but I don't think that has much to do with this argument. It's who you'd want for 90 minutes, not 3 seconds, right?

[Yontsey]

I took Italy +160 today. I saw that Ireland line and my buddy was trying to get me to bite on it, but I might as well just go burn my money in the back yard. I was thinking maybe getting on the over but not real sure right now. Depends on the outcome of this match.

[Yontsey]

That was a beautiful cross.

[SkyBlues42]

(06-14-2012 12:02 PM)ChiefZilla Wrote:  Well, I'd choose Ronaldo, I guess, but I don't think that has much to do with this argument. It's who you'd want for 90 minutes, not 3 seconds, right?

Wasn't saying that the free kick alone would justify who the better player was. It's just another aspect of Ronaldo's game where he outperforms the competition.

[JetsMetsRangers]

BOOM Croatia. Hold the draw here, PLEASE!

[the dude]

Torres will start today for Spain. His odds to NOT score are -120. Do they really think he has that good of a chance to score given his recent form?

[ChiefZilla]

(06-14-2012 12:34 PM)SkyBlues42 Wrote:  Wasn't saying that the free kick alone would justify who the better player was. It's just another aspect of Ronaldo's game where he outperforms the competition.

Right.

Like I said, I only watch international soccer every two years and the occasional club match so my opinion is probably worth squat, but I've just seen so much more from a guy like Xavi on the international level than a guy like Ronaldo.

Then again, Xavi has a much better supporting cast.

But I'd dare make the argument that Portugal would be better internationally with Xavi than they are with Ronaldo. (An argument we'll never know the answer to.)

[the dude]

(06-14-2012 01:15 PM)ChiefZilla Wrote:  

(06-14-2012 12:34 PM)SkyBlues42 Wrote:  Wasn't saying that the free kick alone would justify who the better player was. It's just another aspect of Ronaldo's game where he outperforms the competition.

Right.

Like I said, I only watch international soccer every two years and the occasional club match so my opinion is probably worth squat, but I've just seen so much more from a guy like Xavi on the international level than a guy like Ronaldo.

Then again, Xavi has a much better supporting cast.

But I'd dare make the argument that Portugal would be better internationally with Xavi than they are with Ronaldo. (An argument we'll never know the answer to.)

I agree, but I think Spain would be better right now with Ronaldo than Xavi. Spain are in desperate need of a striker with Villa out and even though Xavi is masterclass, Spain have so much depth at midfield that Fabregas or Mata could step in and they'd only see a minimal dip. Interesting debate though...

[the dude]

Torres is just making me eat my words here!

[SkyBlues42]

The debate is really just a matter of opinion. Same can be argued in basketball. Who is the best player? LeBron, Durant, Kobe, Rose, etc...

Everyone has their personal opinion. There's no right or wrong answer. My personal opinion... Christiano is a better soccer player than Xavi. Messi is a better soccer player than Xavi. I wouldn't even list Xavi in the top five of the best players in the World right now.

[ChiefZilla]

(06-14-2012 04:43 PM)SkyBlues42 Wrote:  I wouldn't even list Xavi in the top five of the best players in the World right now.

Ok now you're just being ridiculous.

[SkyBlues42]

I probably should have mentioned that it's next to impossible to create a list of the top 5 players in the World, especially since there are so many that I want to fit into certain spots. First, I do think Xavi is a great footballer... but I'm not 100% convinced he's the best player on Spain (I know, I'm an idiot for thinking that, right?). Anyways... Here's my attempt -- excluding goalkeepers. Almost inclined to throw John Terry in there for his defensive abilities.

(all choices subject to change. But Xavi still won't crack the top 5)

1.) Lionel Messi
2.) Cristiano Ronaldo
3.) Diego Forlan
4.) Kaka
4.) Wesley Sneijder
5.) Robin van Persie (I know you'll disagree with this one, or the one before)

[ChiefZilla]

RVP is the only one I'd really throw a fit over. I think he's massively overrated also. But really I'm just trying to be a contrarian thinker here. ("Since everyone SAYS Ronaldo is the best in the world, I'm going to challenge them!")

Anyway, RVP sucks. You can't argue that.

Love Forlan and Messi, though. Good choices. Like Sneijder, too. He's a stud.

What's funny is I don't know if I'd necessarily have Xavi in my Top 5. I mean, I probably would, but really I just think I'd rather have him than Ronaldo. Maybe I need to watch more club soccer to sway my opinion on Ronaldo, who knows.

Who do you think is the best player on Spain? Iniesta?

[SkyBlues42]

If you like club soccer, you should LOVE van Persie. But I'll admit... if USA isn't playing, I support Netherlands. So I can't deny that I might have been a bit biased with those picks.

[JoeyG]

I go Iniesta over Xavi. Hard to really say though because they play for the same club and country. I just like Iniesta's ability to finish. And his great hair ;)

[JoeyG]

Also, I wanted to say that Forlan looks out of place there, but hard to say that when he plays so damn good for his country and plays for one of the top clubs in the world. At an advanced age, I might add. Easily the oldest on that list.

[ChiefZilla]

(06-14-2012 07:04 PM)SkyBlues42 Wrote:  If you like club soccer, you should LOVE van Persie. But I'll admit... if USA isn't playing, I support Netherlands. So I can't deny that I might have been a bit biased with those picks.

I think we've found our disconnect here. Since I rarely if ever watch club soccer, I tend to think the club all-stars who suck for country are overrated.