Confederations Cup Betting Odds (June 15, 2009)
Another big football tournament got underway yesterday and Sportingbet.com has all the betting on Monday's games too. Check our Confederations Cup markets now!
Some things to consider with Monday's Confederations Cup betting: Brazil have won all four previous games against Egypt, but the nations have not met since 1963. Of course, Brazil is a sick ¼ favorite and we suspect much of the action will be going their way.
Brazil are unbeaten in 11 games.
Egypt lost 3-1 to Algeria last weekend, their biggest margin of defeat in a World Cup qualifier for 32 years.
From the BBC:
Brazil begin their title defence buoyed by back-to-back World Cup qualifying wins that have left them odds-on to return to South Africa next year.
Despite failing to appease their critics with the manner of their performances, Brazil have gone a calendar year without defeat. Neither is coach Dunga a slave to functionalism, with Brazil scoring 18 goals in the last six internationals.
African champions Egypt would seem to be the continent's best hope of shining at the World Cup, but are currently bottom of their qualifying group following a shock defeat to Algeria last weekend.
Egypt coach Hassan Shehata says his squad cannot afford to fear Brazil, but they have not been tested against South American or European opposition since a 2-0 defeat to Argentina 15 months ago.
Next on the slate is USA v Italy, where USA was coming in as the big underdog. They would pay US$475 for every US$100 bet at Sportingbet.com compared to heavily favored Italy, which would require a US$175 bet to win US$100 (the $175 is returned should Italy win).
Italy have won six of their previous nine games against the USA, drawing the other three.
The Azzurri scored 25 goals in their first four matches against the Americans but only four in the subsequent five meetings.
From the BBC:
Italy make their Confederations Cup debut against the only country they didn't get the better of at the 2006 World Cup. The USA held the Azzurri to a 1-1 draw in the group stages despite ending the match with nine men. Italy also saw Daniele De Rossi dismissed for an elbow that left Brian McBride requiring stitches.
Having underperformed at Euro 2008, Italy have Marcello Lippi, mastermind of the 2006 triumph, back at the helm. The first coach to return to the Azzurri bench since the 1930s, Lippi wants to recreate the tight-knit team spirit that served Italy so well three years ago.
The Italy squad is full of familiar names, and Fabio Cannavaro could overtake record cap holder Paolo Maldini during the tournament.
At the other end of the spectrum, Giuseppe Rossi will be hoping for a chance to impress after netting his first goal against Northern Ireland. Rossi was born in New Jersey to Italian parents but decided his footballing education would be better spent in Italy.
Bob Bradley has named a strong squad for the USA's fourth Confederations Cup campaign and will instead try out fringe players at next month's Gold Cup.
BetUS.com was offering odds on this game for those living inside the US.
Alistair Prescott, Gambling911.com
