Colombia vs. Ivory Coast & Japan vs. Greece

Colombia vs. Ivory Coast & Japan vs. Greece

By Michael Gales Jun 17, 2014

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Colombia and Ivory Coast go into their game on Thursday knowing a victory will take them through to the knockout stage, while Japan and Greece go head-to-head in a must win game. Read this World Cup Group C betting article ahead of the second group games.

Colombia vs. Ivory Coast betting (June 19th)

Colombia vs. Ivory Coast World Cup Group B betting will see victory for either side all but assure their place in the next round.

Colombia opened their campaign with an impressive 3-0 win over Greece, while opponents Ivory Coast came from behind to beat Japan 2-1.

The Los Cafeteros have lost just once in 13 games and will target three points on Thursday to ensure a safe passage through Group C. Les lphants meanwhile will hope Wilfred Bony can fire them into the knockout stages, and turn around their recent fortunes against South American opposition at the world Cup – lost 2-1 to Argentina and 3-1 to Brazil in 2006 and 2010 respectively.

Neither manager is expected to make big changes – meaning Ivory Coast’s Didier Drogba – despite inspiring a comeback – nor Kolo Toure are expected to start.

The Ivorian’s are the 3.880* (25.77% implied odds) underdogs, with Colombia given a 47.17% chance of winning by our odds.

On the handicap market both teams covered the spread in their opening game, however during qualifying the Ivory coast managed a 50% cover rate – showcasing the bookmakers have a decent judge on their ability – compared to 56.25% for Colombia. The handicap is split between 0 & -0.5 goals in favour of Ivory Coast (Read this article to understand about soccer handicaps).

Goals are expected with the ‘both teams to score’ prop highlighting a 52.19% likelihood. Bettors will be interested to know that both teams have scored in 12 of the last 13 games involving the Ivory Coast.

Click here to see the latest Colombia vs. Ivory Coast odds

Japan vs. Greece betting (June 19th)

After both suffered defeat in their opening game neither Japan nor Greece can afford to lose this World Cup Group C game.

Japan took the lead against the Ivory Coast but finished on the losing side after conceding two goals in as many minutes. However their speed and attacking endeavour is expected to cause problems for Greece.

The Greeks suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat in their opening game with Colombia and perhaps more worryingly looked at sea defensively – they are renowned to be defensively solid.

The Greek team were quick to point the finger after the game, while the pre-tournament murmurings of conflict within the camp appear to have a hint of truth. Manager Fernando Santos singled out Georgios Samaras, while captain Konstantinos Katsouranis slated their overall attitude. Bettors should gauge how these comments may impact on their performance with Japan.

According to our odds the Greece have a 27.32% chance of winning compared to the Japanese who are the 2.190* favourites (45.66% implied odds). The handicap market sees a split with Japan favourites at 0 and -0.5 goals. Bettors should be aware however, that the Japanese performed below bookmaker expectations during qualifying, covering in just 35.71% of their 14 games, while Greece covered 58.33% of the time.

Click here for the latest Japan vs. Greece odds

*Odds subject to change

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