davidti

Hurrah, finally nailed one of these after Beckham (8/1) got the vote for today's win over T&T. Had previously lost on Beckham (again), Ballack and Ronaldinho.

Had backed Beckham at the ludicrous 16s against Paraguay and thought he had a chance given that he was responsible for the goal but somehow Frank Lampard got it At least that confirmed my idea that star players have a big advantage in these markets and the layers don't go short enough with their prices.

20 awards dished out by FIFA's Technical Study Group so far:

Results: (goalscorers in bold, key M=Midfield, F=Forward, D=Defender)

Sweden v Paraguay: Freddie Ljungberg (M)
England v T&T: David Beckham (M)
Ecuador v Costa Rica: Agustin Delgado (F)
Germany v Poland: Philip Lahm (D)
Tunisia v Saudi A: Jaziri Zied (F)
Spain v Ukraine: Xavi (M)
South Korea v Togo: Hwan Jung Ahan (F)
France v Switzerland: Claude Makelele (M)
Australia v Japan: Tim Cahill (M)
Brazil v Croatia: Kaka (M)
Czech R v USA: Tomas Rosicky (M)
Italy v Ghana: Andrea Pirlo (M)
Portugal v Angola: Luis Figo (F)
Mexico v Iran: Omar Bravo (F)
Holland v Serbia&M: Arjen Robben (F)
Argentina v Ivory Coast: Javier Saviola (F)
Sweden v T&T: Dwight Yorke (F)
England v Paraguay: Frank Lampard (M)
Ecuador v Poland: Agustin Delgado (F)
Germany v Costa Rica: Miroslav Klose (F)

FIFA class Yorke as a Forward?!!!! But, however you look at it, midfielders and forwards dominate with just one defender (Lahm) getting in.

13 out of 20 scored a goal so backing them for Man of the Match looks a better play than to score anytime. If you don't score it helps being famous it seems (Figo, Beckham, Lampard - were they really Man of the Match in their games?) FIFA said of Beckham: "Quite simply, he is a quality player." That suggests they go in with preconceived ideas which is the main reason why I think there's real potential for profit in this market.

Beckham might also have built up some goodwill with the judges after game one so perhaps there was a thought process that they'd give him it next time if he played half decent.

In which case Ballack is a certainty to get it against Ecuador I reckon, given that he must have been fairly close against Poland.

I'll also be backing Ronaldinho to win it next time.

Walter

I had to laugh when I saw Lampard got the first MoM, but I also came to the same conclusion - that it confirmed your idea about the stars having an advantage. Ditto midfield and forwards because I would have thought Marquez was Mexico's MoM - but Bravo scored the goals. Similarly, surely Espinoza or Hurtado were more influential than Delgado in the first Ecuador win? In fact, if the smaller teams win, the bias really is for goalscorers - Ahn, Delgado twice, Bravo, Zied. It's like they don't really know who the players of the minnows are so they pick one of the goalscorers.

thegreat

Sweden v T&T: Dwight Yorke (F) surely it should have been Shaka for this match

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ilunga

You would have thought so.

Backs up what David says about defenders/goalies not getting a look in. Even Lahm will have been given it for his attacking forays, not his defending.

julzdyer

which bookmaker offers odds on man of the match?

davidti

Bet365, Paddy Power and Sporting Odds for most games. A few others offer it for England games.

ilunga

Can you see any value today David?

Robben looks a bit big at 13/2 but would they give it to him two games running?

davidti

Yes, was wondering about the two games running thing but Delgado has won it twice so maybe not a problem.

No reason to think that Robben won't shine again. He's fresh after being benched for much of the season and relishes the role he has. Might have a bit on Van Nistelrooy too though. This looks a classic occasion where 5/1 for Man of the Match is more appealing than scoring anytime (best 6/4) and, as we've seen, goalscorers are so heavily favoured.

Drogba too has to be respected at 6s. I reckon if he scored in a 1-1 draw his all-round play would be enough to get him the gong.

Hmmm, that's three now, although Robben at 13/2 is the bet I think.

Walter

I've gone for Drogba. I was impressed by his determination in the first game. He seemed to relish having responsibility and it wouldn't surprise me if Ivory Coast won. The goal the Dutch scored was so glaring, it will surely have alerted all managers to the risk of defending high up the pitch against them.

Also gone for Crespo, 7-1. Hope he can reap the reward of Riquelme's brilliance.

ilunga

I see the 13/2 has gone.

I think some of IC's midfielders look decent value but it's hard to guess which ones will play so I'll take a watching brief.

davidti

Amazing what a walk to the shops will do. Standing in the queue at my local co-op I decided the Dutch defence looked dodgy and Drogba will punish them. Am on at 6/1 and have left the Dutch pair alone.

davidti

Koroman at 28s could be interesting in Arg v Serbia & M as he looked really lively when he came on as sub v Holland. But will he start? He'd have to score in a draw I think but a decent price.

Think I'm going to play it straight though and go with Riquelme at 5s. I reckon he'll see a lot of the ball in a low scoring game and would perhaps be favourite if the Argies had the best of it in a 0-0 draw.

ilunga

I've had a re-think as well and decided Robben at 13/2 and Drogba at 6/1 both represent decent value.

davidti

Thankyou Riquelme

Fair decision I think, given that he was involved in so much.

ilunga

Good shout Dave. With so many scorers I suppose they had to give him it. However, if Maxi had stayed on and got his hat-trick

I've added the striker Kone at 16s for this one. He starts alongside Drogba. Hoping for a good showing from the coast.

davidti

Decided just before the off to put a bit of the Riquelme winnings on Robben. Sporting Odds were still going 13/2.

thegreat

surely whatever drogba does in the match he cannot win it with that blatant handball - cheating c@nt

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"Make poverty history, Cheaper drugs now"

Walter

Man of the Match - Davidti. Gets the double.

davidti

Good grief, that was a surprise. Had written that one off.

ilunga

Was cursing myself for over-betting the IC books late-on but that's made up for it (almost). I think we have a nice trend going on now. Good stuff flagging this up David.