Soccer Betting Odds at VietBet – World Cup 2014 TeamUSA vs Belgium
By Charles Jay
The United States soccer team made it through the “Group of Death,” and one supposes that was a major accomplishment, although they may have wanted to do so with a bit more aplomb. VietBet customers saw the Americans get a very satisfying double-revenge victory over Ghana in the opening game of the group, and then frustrated the great Christiano Ronaldo and the Portuguese team for all but a few seconds, then forgot how to play the kind of defense that protects late leads. After that they got nothing going on the attack against Germany, which had essentially punched its ticket to the elimination stage, and lost 1-0. But because of goal differentials and such things, here is the U.S., in the Round of 16 for the fourth time in the last six World Cups, and that is cause for at least some celebration.
Whether this squad is celebrating after Tuesday remains to be seen. Belgium entered this competition as the #12 team in the world, but there is little doubt that this is a team much more dangerous than some of those ranked ahead of it (namely Switzerland). What is dangerous about the Belgians is not necessarily how dynamic they are on offense but what they can do on defense, and that makes them a whole different type of opponent then the last one.
In the World Cup betting odds that have been posted on this game at VietBet, Belgium is favored:
The World Cup
United States vs. Belgium (Round of 16)
Tuesday, July 1 – 4 PM ET
Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador
Betting Odds – Moneyline (90 minutes plus stoppage time):
Belgium +104
United States +320
Draw +245
Including extra time and shootouts
Belgium advances -220
United States advances +180
Total:
Over 2 Goals -131
Under 2 Goals +116
Now that his team has gotten through Group G, which included not only Germany, but the team with one of the two or three best players in the world (Portugal, with Ronaldo) and the one that knocked them out of the last two World Cups (Ghana), coach Jurgen Klinsmann, who is sixth on the all-time list for World Cup scoring, is not hearing a lot of complaints about cutting Landon Donovan loose. As far as the actual injury report is concerned – something the VietBet audience is most definitely interested in – Jozy Altidore may actually be able to come back to action after hurting his hamstring against Ghana, and there are two guys with broken noses – Clint Dempsey and Jermaine Jones (who had the go-ahead goal against Portugal) – who will be playing.
Those players, who account for three of the four U.S. goals thus far, are desperately needed, because this squad from Belgium is going to be very stingy when it comes to giving up ground.
We would be the first to admit that Belgium did not come from the most difficult group. And those who look at the handicap line (where Belgium lays a half a goal and -101 in the World Cup betting odds at VietBet) should take note that this does not appear to be a team that puts together margins. Thus far they have beaten Algeria 2-1, and registered 1-0 victories over both Russia and South Korea to get through Group H without a mark. Truth be told, coach Marc Wilmots did not expect the roughest time of it getting to this point. But it appears as if Belgium has sailed through everything; after all, they went 8-0-2 in the qualifying phase and beat the U.S. in a couple of rather one-sided friendlies since Klinsmann assumed the coaching reins. They are young and hungry, having not been to the World Cup finals since 2002. And they wisely rested midfielder Eden Hazard against South Korea. If there is an attack in the offing, it is coming from him.
By the way, if you want to keep betting on the game after it has already started, hop on board with VietBet and find “Live Betting Extra.” You’ll love it. But you’ll love that bonus first, when you sign up!
