World Cup Group B

[tiggers1972]

Taxi for Alonso

[Desert Orchid]

You've got to credit Chile though. I'll have a pint of whatever they're on.

I can't remember the last time I saw an international team play so badly as Spain. Not even Scotland.

I can remember when Scotland would go into a game against Spain expecting to win (1960s). Can wee Gordon arrange a friendly with them asap?

[Euronymous]

I can remember when Scotland would go into a game against Spain expecting to win (1960s). Can wee Gordon arrange a friendly with them asap?

To be fair wasn't that when Franco insisted on being picked

[Hamm]

Taxi for Alonso

He played like he was either doped or the Chileans kidnapped his family.

[tiggers1972]

That's it bring on Torres, that will help!!!
Does Del Bosque pull his subs out of a hat?

[tiggers1972]

I've got a sneaky feeling Spain will fail to get out of the group, father time and fatigue combined.

Bullseye.
Looks like throwing donkeys off church towers will be reinstated as Spain's national sport.

[Desert Orchid]

You have to wonder if Chile can sustain that level of energy through another possible five games. You also fancy that Holland will do to them what they did to Spain at the last World Cup.

[harry]

Never seen such an example of "evolve or die" absolutely useless Chelsea want to use their cooling off period to cancel the Costa transfer

[AliGupter]

Oh.

[archie]

Without RVP, Holland may struggle to get a result against Chile.

[Bar the Bull]

Yeah, I thought Holland looked a lot less dangerous once RVP came off.

[AliGupter]

The Netherlands are very vulnerable.

[Bar the Bull]

Yes, broke even yesterday as I landed my Asian, but I really think that a team like Germany or Italy would tear them a new one.

[Perpetual]

Any thoughts on the 3rd/4th place play off
I know the Aussies will be without Cahill, but surely 8/1 is too big (or being conservative just laying Spain at 2/5)
The Spaniards looked absolutely clueless last night and will just want to get on the plane and off on their holidays. Even getting beaten twice, the Aussies have overachieved and reckon they’ll be 100% up for it

[AliGupter]

There's teams that can beat Spain on their best day, there's teams that can play something resembling football, then there's Australia.

[Perpetual]

Put it another way - would you want to back the Spanish at 2/5?
Looks a mad price

[Double Handful]

Any thoughts on the 3rd/4th place play off
I know the Aussies will be without Cahill, but surely 8/1 is too big (or being conservative just laying Spain at 2/5)
The Spaniards looked absolutely clueless last night and will just want to get on the plane and off on their holidays. Even getting beaten twice, the Aussies have overachieved and reckon they’ll be 100% up for it

Yeah it's a fair shout Perpetual.. I'll be very interested to see the Spain starting 11 for that one.
I'd expect the likes of Fabregas, Cazorla, Koke, De Gea(If fit) to get a start here. Maybe even the likes of Villa or Mata will get a run.

[AliGupter]

Put it another way - would you want to back the Spanish at 2/5?
Looks a mad price

Probably about right, I learnt a long time ago to never bet in games when either team doesn't need to win though, so this is left well alone.

[Perpetual]

Both good points, but suppose if it's a game best left alone, you're better off backing the outsider of 3
I'm having half my stake now and the balance if Spains starting 11 is relatively unchanged

[Hamm]

Chile are 2/1 to beat the Dutch who have Van Persie out.

They are a far better team and need to win to avoid Brazil (not really a bad thing but I imagine they would want to regardless).