subject: Slovakia vs Italy: World Cup Odds and Picks: 10:00am EST [print this page] Slovakia vs Italy: World Cup Odds and Picks: 10:00am EST
The Group F bracket will finish on Thursday with Slovakia vs Italy and Paraguay vs New Zealand kicking off at 10:00am EST (16:00) followed by Group E action with Denmark vs Japan and Cameroon vs Netherlands at 2:30pm EST (20:30). World cup odds at online bookmakers have Italy -200 favorites in soccer betting lines vs Slovakia +600 with the draw paying +285. Italy are also -1 goal (-105) betting favorites in point-spread lines vs Slovakia +1 goal (-115) with an over/under total of 2.5 UNDER (-140). Italy, the reigning world champions, find themselves in a must win match to secure a seat in the round of 16.
Paraguay sits on top of Group F with 4-points and 3 goals, Italy and New Zealand with 2-points and 2 goals followed by Slovakia holding 1-point and 1 goal. The four time world champions have not been able to find the net in South Africa and could be eliminated in the first round after hoisting the trophy just four years ago. "Honestly, we're not thinking about elimination," said Gianluca Zambrotta this week. "We're thinking positively and see the glass half-full rather than half-empty. The only result that interests us is victory." Bet Italy -200 as favorites in World Cup soccer betting lines vs Slovakia with up to a $250 bonus and free team jersey.
Slovakia was held to a 1-1 draw with New Zealand in their opening match and lost to Paraguay 0-2, so for any shot of the Repre to make it through to the second stage requires nothing less than a win against Squadra Azzurra. "Italy are a well-known team. They have won the World Cup four times, including last time. That says it all about Italy," striker Martin Jakubko said about Thursday's game. In order for Slovakia to slip through to the second stage, they would need to win and preferably by a few goals and would need New Zealand to pull off the upset as well.
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Bafangul... even the USA and England managed to qualify to the second stage, come on Italia! Much was said before the tournament about Marcello Lippi's squad being too old and it definitely looks like their age is playing a factor. Although Italy still has talented players on the pitch, the Azzurri just don't look like they have the same zip or desire as in tournaments past. That being said... I expect the experience of Italy to shine through in their final match giving them a 2-0 win over Slovakia.
