Italy versus Slovakia Thursday 6-24-2010 ESPN TV World Cup Football Soccer Sports Betting Odds Pick Preview

Published on June 23, 2010 by admin · No Comments

Italy will do battle with Slovakia in Group F play in World Cup 2010 on Thursday morning.

Kick off time from Ellis Park in Johannesburg South Africa is scheduled for 10AM Eastern Time with national television coverage provided by ESPN TV.

The three way betting line opened up with Italy -185 favorite to win, the Draw +275 and a Slovakia victory the underdog at +500. The goal total came in at 2 goals with over favored at -125 and under bringing back +105.

The early betting money has come on the favorite at Italy is now -200 favorites to win the draw is now +280 and for a Slovakia victory a bigger underdog at +590. The total saw the money from the bettors come over as it returns -140 and the under brings back +115.

Italy sits second in Group F play with just 2 draws in 2 games and 2 points and a 0 goal differential. Slovakia has hopes entering their final group contest with a loss and draw and 1 point with a -2 goal differential.

Italy opened play in World Cup 2010 with a 1-1 tie with Paraguay. They then got a surprise 1-1 draw with the weakest club in Group F New Zealand as they finished 1-1 on June 20th.

Italy surrendered an early goal to New Zealand as it was Shane Smeltz in the 7th minute with a shot in the net. Italy found the equalizer in minute 29 as Vincenzo Iaquinta delivered.

Italy possessed the ball 57% of the time in victory and had 7 accurate shots on goal to New Zealand’s 1.

Slovakia opened play in the tournament with a 1-1 draw with New Zealand as they gave up the equalizer late in the contest. In their second game played on June 20th the club dropped a 2-0 decision to Paraguay from South America.

Slovakia gave up the first goal to Paraguay as Enrique Vera scored in the 27th minute and then the second came in minute 86 as Cristian Riveros got the ball into the net.

The Slovakians controlled the ball 51% of the time and had just 1 accurate shot on goal to Paraguay’s 5.

With a victory Italy would advance with 5 points into the knockout stages.

Both Paraguay and New Zealand cannot finish both with 5 or more points as they two teams meet in their final contest in Group F play.

A loss by Italy would eliminate the team from World Cup 2010.

If Italy should draw and New Zealand wins Italy is eliminated. A draw by Italy and a loss by New Zealand qualifies the club into the knockout.

Both New Zealand and Italy are tied on goal differential and each have scored 2 goals each. Should all two games in Group F draw the club scoring most goals between New Zealand and Italy would earn second place in Group F and advance to the knockout stages.

A loss or tie by Slovakia against Italy will eliminate them from World Cup 2010.

A win by Slovakia coupled by a loss or draw by New Zealand will advance the club into the knockout round.

Should Slovakia earn victory and Paraguay loses each club will sit tied with 4 points. Slovakia must make up a goal differential as heading into the final game Paraguay sits with a +2 goal differential and Slovakia -2. Paraguay has scored 3 goals and Slovakia 1 thus far in group play.

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