Free Soccer Picks (Today's Tips, Odds, Predictions)

2014 World Cup Props Handicapping: Highest- and Lowest-Scoring Teams
by Trevor Whenham - 6/3/2014

As the World Cup draws near, it’s time to look at all the prop bets that are available — at least partly as a way to stop us from counting the seconds until the long-awaited tournament finally starts. One pair of props that is really interesting is trying to pick which teams will be the highest- and lowest-scoring in the tournament. Neither prop is a good spot to really gamble and look away from the favorites, but looking at the contenders is an interesting experience. Here’s a look at both (odds are from Bovada):

World Cup Handicapping: Concerns over the Favorites
by Trevor Whenham - 5/22/2014

There are some very good teams among the favorites at the World Cup this year. None of the teams are without flaws or reasons for concern, though. Here is the biggest reason for concern for each of the seven favorites in the tournament (odds are from Sportsbook.ag):

World Cup Betting Mistakes to Avoid
by Trevor Whenham - 5/22/2014

The World Cup presents a great opportunity for bettors. A month of action. Fair lines. Widely-available props. Plenty of value to be found if you know where to look for it. When you are betting on the tournament, though, it can be easy to make mistakes if you aren’t being diligent. Those mistakes can be costly, and in a relatively short tournament it only takes a few mistakes to turn a winning event into a loser for a bettor.

World Cup Handicapping: Teams That Have Struggled in Preps
by Trevor Whenham - 5/19/2014

When handicapping the World Cup, you have to overcome a lack of true information about the current form of the teams before the tournament starts. They have played together few times in the months before the tournament, and they haven’t played a truly meaningful game since the rosters were finalized. You can’t read too much into how teams have played in the six months or so before the tournament, but you also can’t completely overlook the recent form of the teams, or the momentum they bring into the tournament.

2014 World Cup Betting: Teams that Look Strong Heading to Brazil
by Trevor Whenham - 5/19/2014

One of the many challenges of effectively handicapping the World Cup is the absence of meaningful recent form to assess where teams are at. Team rosters aren’t set until weeks before the tournament, and the friendlies that come after that can’t really be trusted because teams are far more interested in getting ready than in winning — it’s like the NFL Preseason in that regard.

2014 World Cup Handicapping: Overrated Teams
by Trevor Whenham - 5/16/2014

When it comes to World Cup futures there are some favorites that it is hard to argue with. Brazil clearly deserves top billing, and Argentina is very legitimately the second choice. Amongst the top 10 choices to win the tournament, though, there are four teams that stand out because they offer very little value. Here are four of the most overrated World Cup favorites:

2014 World Cup Handicapping: Stage of Elimination Prop Bet Odds and Picks
by Trevor Whenham - 5/15/2014

Bovada offers one of the more interesting World Cup props I have seen so far — the ability to bet on when teams will get eliminated from the tournament. There is some intriguing value to be found, so we will offer some odds and predictions on how we think it will all go down:

2014 World Cup: National Team Storylines to Follow
by Strike Point Sports - 5/13/2014

The Desert Foxes have never advanced past the group stage. This is the North African country’s fourth appearance at the World Cup Finals, and surely before thinking they have a chance to play in the elimination round Algeria needs to first end its five-match WC drought without a goal.

2014 World Cup Top Teams by Continent: Odds and Predictions
by Trevor Whenham - 5/9/2014

As we get closer and closer to the start of the World Cup, there are more betting opportunities every day to tempt and confound us. Bovada has a particularly interesting set of props now available. You can bet on the top team from each continent in the tournament. Looking at the options can lead to plenty of debate, and even a little value. Here are our predictions for this interesting set of props odds:

2014 World Cup Opening Lines: Initial Reactions
by Strike Point Sports - 5/5/2014

2014 World Cup odds for the first round of group play have been out for months since the final draw was made last December, and with that we’ve known the eight groups of four for this summer’s tournament. However there really wasn’t much value at looking ahead to the opening-match odds before now simply because with so much of the European domestic league season needed be played, injuries and recent quality of play factors in so much in deciding the rosters for the World Cup.

Can Brazil win the 2014 World Cup on its Home Soil?
by Strike Point Sports - 5/5/2014

It’s no secret that the host of the World Cup is a strong favorite to lift the trophy come the middle of July on home soil. However, the argument can be made whether or not the amount of pressure is a good or bad thing for a country that is deeper than the Atlantic Ocean when it comes to talent on the football pitch.Every Brazilian has garnered hope and confidence to witness the World Cup trophy being raised in the country that perfected the beautiful game. Both players and fans alike have been dreaming of this opportunity, and now it is nearly a month away for the chance to prove that dream as a reality.

2014 World Cup: France to Play the Role of Sleeping Giant
by Strike Point Sports - 5/5/2014

Managed by acclaimed boss Didier Deschamps, Les Bleus possess all the necessary ingredients to create a masterful performance in Brazil. This summer is Deschamps first major tournament as boss after being appointed to replace Laurent Blanc after Euro 2012.Each of the past few major tournaments under former management were met with weighted expectations. However, France drastically underachieved and fell short of high hopes placed upon them by their country. After winning both Euro 2000 and the 2002 World Cup, France has really taken a step back to be honest as far as elite contenders go.

2014 World Cup: One Last Hurrah for Veteran Footballers
by Strike Point Sports - 5/5/2014

The World Cup features not only the best soccer nations in the world, but this sporting event also plays host to some amazing individual talents. This summer in Brazil will undoubtedly showcase several greats likely to call this their last World Cup tournament. The World Cup takes place once every four years. Thus it is pretty easy to forecast which experienced superstars are likely participating in their last tournament. We point out a few notables to keep an eye on in Brazil.

2014 World Cup Handicapping: Europe or South America Odds to Win
by Strike Point Sports - 4/23/2014

One of the more fun aspects of a sporting event such as the World Cup is the plethora of betting options that one has to play with, both on a specific match as well as futures or unique tournaments odds. With all due respect to competent teams such as the United States, Mexico, Japan, South Korea and the Ivory Coast, the winner of this summer’s World Cup is coming from either Europe or South America.

2014 World Cup Soccer Betting Advice and Tips
by Strike Point Sports - 4/23/2014

With the World Cup less than two months away, the soccer betting scene is gradually developing. Online sportsbooks and casinos have been offering odds on European matches since last fall, but the allure of the biggest single sporting event in the world naturally does draw a bigger, more general audience. For those not too familiar with international soccer or even casual bettors looking for a secondary sport this summer during the light season, the World Cup does offer a really good moneymaking platform.

2014 World Cup Top Young Footballers
by Strike Point Sports - 4/23/2014

The World Cup is the grandest of stages. Established players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and others are looking to supplant their legacy at this major international tournament as they have already done at club level. There is also a select crop of the next generation who could well launch themselves to the next level with strong performances this summer. We take a look at five rising stars looking to put their stamp on Brazil.

How to Bet on World Cup Soccer: a Tutorial
by George Monroy - 4/18/2014

The soccer world is about to reach a fever pitch in a few months when the FIFA World Cup begins its group-stage play in early June. And while the sport enjoys massive popularity across the globe, it’s not until the World Cup comes along every fourth year that America begins to pay attention. Even then, the sport may only be a blip in the radar for most U.S. fans. However, the World Cup is an excellent opportunity to find value and make some money, even if you know very little about the sport.

Luis Suarez Odds for Golden Boot Top Goal Scorer at 2014 World Cup
by Strike Point Sports - 4/8/2014

Talk of the world’s best player undoubtedly is between Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo. Makes sense. These two talents are football’s version of Michael and Magic. Kobe and LeBron. However, if you wanted to include a third name in the discussion, it would have to be Liverpool and Uruguay’s Luis Suarez. The 27-year-old is simply magical. Is he a dirty player? One could argue. Does he dive and complain way too much?

Romelu Lukaku Odds for Golden Boot Top Goal Scorer at 2014 World Cup
by Strike Point Sports - 4/8/2014

Belgium are tipped to make noise this summer in Brazil. The small European nation has a wealth of young footballing talent, and having all found their stride together at the right time, that provides for an intriguing bet as a potential sleeper at the 2014 World Cup. Belgium’s striker Romelu Lukaku is one name that is undoubtedly ready for the big stage. And what makes his prospects for top goal scorer even more enticing is the recent news that Belgium’s other top striker, Christian Benteke, was lost to injury after tearing his Achilles.

Sergio Aguero Odds for Golden Boot Top Goal Scorer at 2014 World Cup
by Strike Point Sports - 4/8/2014

When you discuss Argentina’s prospects of winning the 2014 World Cup, the debate understandably begins and ends with Barcelona’s Lionel Messi. The all-world talent is clearly the man in the middle that stirs the South American power’s drink. But he is hardly a talent alone on this squad. Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero, son-in-law to Argentina legend Diego Maradona, is a deliciously talented footballer in his own right, and he is one that will have a huge say in Argentina’s prospects at this tournament.