Servus Syndicate Members,
FWM Round-of-16 Lines will also drop tonight. Bookie’s promise. First, let’s shift focus a bit and see how South America is doing heading into their “Blitz Phase”.
I’ve already apologized twice for tipping the Qataris, but bear in mind that they’re not quite finished yet. See what’s in store for their stimulating side down below.
I sincerely hope as many of you as possible caught that Japan-Uruguay match last night. Unfortunately, it kicked off too late to make the daily. Had the bookie not needed to file and retire in order to function at his full-time day job, Koji Miyoshi would have been awarded the day.
“Who the wasabi-ing-fuck is Koji Miyoshi?”, you may ask? Just one of those uncapped kids Moriyasu brought with him to Brazil who netted a brace in what was very nearly one of the most unforeseen upsets in the history of this Sportsbook’s coverage! He’s also tonight’s guest!
Banzai bitches! Great tournament down south. Loads of surprises thus far.
Saturday, June 22nd
Group A Final Kickoff @ 16:00 (UTC -3)
Highly unlikely that the hosts get eliminated this early. Don’t forget that we still need two third-place teams to fill a quarterfinal bracket. It remains very possible, however, that they’ll fail to top their group in their own tournament. Peru may draw them and Venezuela may win.
Bookie doesn’t see it transpiring that way, but be in touch should wish to wager against the final group projection.
Brazil vs. Peru
vs.
With their backs up against the wall, there’s every reason to believe A Selecao can dig deep and find a way. Overall championship prospects are a bit diminished, however, after the surprise draw against Venezuela.
Professor Vice draws it up in an “Emergency tactical breakdown”.
S.S.S. Tactical Breakdown
S.S.S. Tactical Breakdown Lineup—Brazil—PROJECTED (4-4-2) (6/13/2019)
Gabriel Jesus Richarlison
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David Neres Roberto Firminho
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P. Coutinho Willian
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Alex Sandro Dani Alves
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Fagner Thiago Silva
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Alisson
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Lineup—Brazil—Match One (4-3-3) (6/18/2019)
Roberto Firminho
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Richarlison David Neres
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P. Coutinho Fernandinho Casemiro
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Filipe Luis Dani Alves
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Marquinhos Thiago Silva
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Alisson
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This was pretty putrid. Why does Casemiro always seem to falter on this level? He does so well for club, but can never seem to get it together when donning the national jersey. Fernandinho and Richarlison sucked as well. La Verde suffocated all the major stars with what looked like some sort of 3-6-1 that they were only able to break through after the intro of Gabriel Jesus and Everton. Firminho center was a total bust.
Lineup—Brazil—Match Two (4-3-2-1) (6/18/2019)
Roberto Firminho
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Philippe Coutinho Richarlison
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David Neres Arthur Casemiro
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Filipe Luis Dani Alves
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Marquinhos Thiago Silva
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Alisson
|
We try again, this time shifting Richarlison over to Casemiro’s side, stashing David Neres, moving Coutinho up, and introducing Arthur. That’s at least how the bookie saw it. Plenty of movement as Neres and Coutinho took turns in the center.
Looked like Casemiro switched after the restart, which mostly featured more crap from Firminho and Richarlison. Gabriel Jesus came on once again and we had a 4-4-2. This only served to confuse matters further and led to that booking. Too many stars trying too much. More crap from Richarlison and Firminho. Bad football. Bad tactics. Long-ass VAR timeouts that precluded anything from getting going.
I think Tite and the boys returns to their senses and they get the win here, but their status as contenders must be considered in jeopardy.
THE LINE: Brazil +1 Goal
Bolivia vs. Venezuela
vs.
The Bolivians actually have a decent defensive system; good enough to hold the Vinotinto to their third consecutive here. That’s what we’ll presage in the simultaneous kick-off that you might as well skip.
THE LINE: Pick em’
Initial Group Projection (6/13/2019)
1) Brazil 2) Peru 3) Venezuela 4) Bolivia
Final Group Projection (6/21/2019)
(2 to 1 Odds for Bookie)
1) Brazil 2) Peru 3) Venezuela 4) Bolivia
Sunday, June 23rd
Group B Final Kickoff @ 16:00 (UTC -3)
Bookie emphasizes that Al-Annabi aren’t done yet. Their unbelievable run to the Asian Continental Championship was even more inconceivable that you might recall. Felix Sanchez Bas had to deal with multiple suspensions in the latter stages of the tournament. He had to build without Abdelkarim Hassan and Assim Madibo in the Quarterfinals and Abdulaziz Hatem and Bassam Al-Rawi in the Semis.
To put it in way that doesn’t involve names most of you have never heard of: The Qataris have a REAL manager. Argentina has Lionel Scaloni, who will surely be hawking empanadas on a street corner early next week.
Qatar vs. Argentina
vs.
Can my maroon from the dunes shock the world? It’s not merely a matter of them being a very talented team. Take a gander at what La Albiceleste are trying now:
S.S.S. Tactical Breakdown
S.S.S. Tactical Breakdown Lineup—Argentina—Match One (4-3-2-1) (6/15/2019)
Sergio Aguero
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Angel Di Maria Lionel Messi
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Leandro Paredes Giovani Lo Celso
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Guido Rodriguez
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N. Tagliafico N. Otamendi G. Pezzella R. Saravia
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Franco Armani
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Lineup—Argentina—Match Two (4-4-2) (6/19/2019)
Lautaro Martinez Lionel Messi
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Rodrigo De Paul Roberto Pereyra
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Leandro Paredes Giovani Lo Celso
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Nicolas Tagliafico Milton Casco
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Nicolas Otamendi German Pezzella
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Franco Armani
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Argh. Now what? What else is there to try? Lautaro, Pereyra, and De Paul were total flops. Casco at right back was….well…what one might expect from a 31-year-old right back. Celso and Paredes aren’t working Otamendi, Pezzella, and Armani are melting down too.
They even tried a 4-3-3 after subbing on Aguero and Di Maria. It was toothless!
We wish Lionel Messi a very pleasant retirement from international football. He deserves it. To hell with this country’s FA. Invest more in the women’s team!
UPSET ALERT!
THE LINE: Qatar +1 Goal
Columbia vs. Paraguay
vs.
Queiroz actually can’t lose the group here, so he’ll likely make 5-8 changes to the squad. Should be good enough for a draw. That’s what we’ll presage.
THE LINE: Pick em’
Initial Group Projection (6/13/2019)
1) Argentina 2) Qatar 3) Columbia 4) Paraguay
Final Group Projection (6/21/2019)
(3 to 1 Odds for Bookie)
1) Columbia 2) Qatar 3) Paraguay 4) Argentina
Monday, June 24th
Group C Final Kickoff @ 20:00 (UTC -3)
Whoa there. Boy did this group ever get turned on its head. The classified “Group of Life” yet again lives up to its name. We’re in for a first-rate finish here as the top two battle it out in a no-holds barred fight to the soft seeding.
Goal differential likely precludes the Jap Prospect squad from contesting second, but their prospects for advancement are quite good. If they attain the knockouts with the third string…bookie will have to do some serious research on these players.
Ultimately I think it falls into line with my original projection, but who the hell knows? So much can happen here.
Chile vs. Uruguay
vs.
Still not satisfied with this Chilean squad. Loved the finish from Alexis Sanchez, but Vidal, Isla, and Beausejour were mediocre as expected. Having reviewed the tape of La Celeste’s crazy draw with the Samurai, I’m still not sure exactly what happened to my selected favorites.
Nearly made this one a pick, but I think Tabarez just has too many options. He knows which players to select against a regional rival. They’ll hop right back up into form here, winning convincingly even if the scoreline remains low.
THE LINE: Uruguay +1 Goal
Japan vs. Ecuador
vs.
La Tri must make do without captain and anchoring centerback Gabriel Achilier. Jose Quintero Ordonez returns from suspension, but will it be enough to save the back line?
Not against the high-flying Samurai. They’ll complete a 180-degree turnaround of their fortunes. Moriyasu will look like a genius. A great offering this one. Bookie gives you a low line just so you’ll bet and watch.
THE LINE: Japan +1 Goal
Initial Group Projection (6/13/2019)
1) Uruguay 2) Chile 3) Japan 4) Ecuador
Final Group Projection (6/21/2019)
(3 to 1 Odds for Bookie)
1) Uruguay 2) Chile 3) Japan 4) Ecuador
GENTLEMEN, ENTER YOUR WAGERS
