Great Pitching Matchup in the N.L. on Saturday when Braves Take on Mets

There’s a great pitching matchup in the National League on Saturday when the Atlanta Braves take on the New York Mets. The Braves send Tim Hudson to the mound and the Mets send Mike Pelfrey.

Both Hudson and Pelfrey have been terrific in 2010 making this game a challenging one for baseball betting fans to handicap, but there will be more at stake than just a simple victory for Hudson or Pelfrey in this game. The Atlanta Braves are 3 games ahead in the N.L. East Division. Who is in second place? Oh, yeah, that would be the New York Mets!

Will it be the Mets or Braves on Saturday when two aces take the mound?

Atlanta Braves at New York Mets

Where: Citi Field, Flushing, New York

When: July 10 th, 2010 at 4:10 pm EST

TV: Braves – SPSO

Mets – SNY

Radio: Braves – None

Mets – WFAN 660, WQBU 92.7

The beauty of this game is that sports gamblers won’t have to try and predict what the MLB odds makers are going to come up with. Both Pelfrey and Hudson have been so good in 2010, and both teams are so close to each other in the divisional standings, that there’s no way one pitcher can be favored over the other.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the betting trends for Saturday’s game.

• The Atlanta Braves are 22-8 in their last 30 games versus a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
• The Atlanta Braves are 1 and 4 in Tim Hudson’s last 5 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
• The New York Mets are 8 and 2 in Mike Pelfrey’s last 10 starts at home.
• The New York Mets are 7 and 21 in their last 28 games versus a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.

So, the trends say that both teams have a shot and are vulnerable in Saturday’s game. Based on the pitching stats from both starters, it’s hard to argue against the trends.

Tim Hudson is 8 and 4 with a 2.44 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP on the season. Pelfrey is 10 and 3 with a 3.39 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP.

The stats paint an interesting pitcher because Hudson’s ERA and WHIP are much better than Pelfrey’s, yet Pelfrey has more wins. How is that possible? Sometimes, for whatever reason, a team does amazingly well when certain pitchers are on the mound. For most of this season, that’s been the case with Pelfrey.

Every time Pelfrey takes the mound, the Mets have responded except for his last start. In his last start, Pelfrey gave up 9 hits and 7 runs in only 4.2 innings to the Cincinnati Reds. The Mets lost that game 6 to 8.

But I believe that Pelfrey bounces back on Saturday. He’s been excellent at home in 2010 and the Mets know that this is their chance to cut Atlanta’s lead.

I’m going to make a sports betting on the New York Mets to beat the Atlanta Braves on Saturday afternoon.

MLB Sportsbook Pick: New York Mets

Strikeforce Heavyweights Catching Up, But UFC’s Division Still Supreme

While Strikeforce has done an excellent job of building up their superstars in the Mixed Martial Arts world despite relatively small payrolls in comparison to the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the fact remains that the money president Dana White has at his disposal alone is what keeps the former from reaching the latter’s potential as far as star power. The simplest illustration of the advantage the UFC has over Strikeforce in brand can be found in the heavyweight division comparison made between the two promotions, and the notable heavyweights that each promotion currently has under contract. 

The biggest name in Strikeforce remains heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem, who despite being a beast at 253 pounds has defended his title just once in the three years since he became the first ever Strikeforce Heavyweight champion with a submission win over Paul Buentello in November of 2007.

Overeem recently stepped back in to Strikeforce for a title fight against number one contender Brett Rogers in May of this year. However, that fight lasted only 3:40 in to the first round before Overeem knocked him out with a fury of punches. The Last Emperor Fedor Emelianenko was absolutely dismantled by Fabricio Werdum, who submitted him with a triangle choke arm bar just over a minute in to their contest.

Despite his impressive resume, there are questions as to the quality of the fighters he has faced, which is the same case for the undefeated Daniel Cormier and Shane Del Rosario. Bobby L’Ashley has had two of his matches cancelled, only to face weaker opponents and remain perfect with easy victories, which does not inspire much confidence in his potential. The same can be said about Andrei Arlovski, who has now lost three in a row, including two via first round knockout. 

The UFC on the other hand boasts a heavyweight division rife with top tier talent, as evidenced by the show their two biggest superstars in that division put on this Sunday at UFC: 116, where champion Brock Lesnar solidified his title with a submission win over interim champion Shane Carwin following his return from illness.

Carwin dominated most of that fight, and it seemed as though he was on the verge of winning via first round knock out for a 13th straight time to open his career, but Lesnar managed to survive until the bell and ended up scoring the victory in the second round.

The bout was a testament to both fighters’ ability, as was the case when Carwin beat Frank Mir, who remains the only man to ever beat Lesnar. Randy Couture is getting up there in age but can still throw down with the best of them, while Tim Sylvia, Cain Valasquez, and Heath Herring can all stand toe-to-toe with the best heavyweights that Strikeforce has to offer. More importantly, at the top is where UFC definitely has the edge, as it may not be a stretch to think the top three in that division can take out anyone from Strikeforce.

NASCAR Odds – Group Betting the LifeLock.com 400

The NASCAR sportsbook is not only offering betting odds on drivers to win this Saturday’s LifeLock.com 400, but also offering odds in the group betting category

The sportsbook has set up 3 groups, A, B, and C, for sports gamblers to find a winner. As always, Group 1 appears to be the most difficult group in which to find a winner.

Will it be Hamlin, Gordon, JJ or one of the Busch brothers to win Group 1?

NASCAR: LifeLock.com 400

• Where: Chicagoland Speedway, Joliet, Il
• When: July 10th, 2010 at 7:30 pm EST
• Track: D-shaped oval, 1.5 miles
• TV: TNT
• Radio: Motor Racing Network (MRN)

Group Betting

Group A: Denny Hamlin +200, Jeff Gordon +325, Jimmie Johnson +150, Kurt Busch +350, Kyle Busch +300

Analysis: So…where’s my dart to throw? Denny Hamlin and Jimmie are obvious pick as they’ve dominated the Sprint Cup Circuit in 2010. Kyle always has a shot in every race, every week.

Kurt, even though he’s never had success at Chicagoland, has a shot as well, but my money will be on Gordo for the simple fact that he’s been driving brilliantly in 2010 but still hasn’t picked up a victory.

The man has 9 Top 5 finishes on the year. I think he does enough to beat at least this group of drivers on Saturday night.

Pick: Jeff Gordon +325

Group B: Clint Bowyer +325, Jeff Burton +200, Kasey Kahne +250, Kevin Harvick +200, Tony Stewart +325

Analysis: This is not as easy of a group in which to find the winner as it seems at first.

Yes, Burton and Harvick deserve to be favorites in this group. In particular, Harvick deserves to be a big favorite because he won last week’s race and he always shows up at Chicagoland, but Kahne has a nice history at Chicagoland as well and so does Tony Stewart who looks like the best pick in this group to me.

Tony had a terrible race at Daytona last week, but this week he might be the guy to back because he was getting hot before the Daytona race. Tony has good history at Chicagoland with 2 victories and 7 total Top 5 finishes. He’s the pick at the NASCAR odds.

Pick: Tony Stewart +325

Group 3: Carl Edwards +250, Greg Biffle +250, Joey Logano +300, Juan Pablo Montoya +250, Matt Kenseth +250

Analysis: Edwards’ average finish at Chicagoland is 21st place. Biffle’s average finish at Chicagoland is 15.4 Logano’s average finish at Chicagoland is 18. Juan Pablo Montoya’s average finish at Chicagoland is 14.3 and Kenseth’s average finish at Chicagoland is 11.2.

Based on the average finish at Chicagoland, Kenseth is the bet, right? I mean, all 5 of these guys are going off at the same NASCAR odds and it’s not like Matt’s had a horrible year or anything.

Pick: Matt Kenseth +250

This week NASCAR drivers head to the Chicagoland Speedway for the LifeLock.com 400! Log onto the sportsbook and bet the LifeLock.com 400!

Calder Summit of Speed: Grade II Smile Sprint Handicap and Grade I Princess Rooney Stakes

LeBron isn’t the only one rushing to Miami! A lot of fast horses are running there too!

That somewhat forgotten racetrack in Miami, Calder Racecourse, showcases sprinters this Saturday at the Calder Summit of Speed.

The two biggest races on their card are the Grade II Smile Sprint Handicap and the Grade I Princess Rooney Stakes.

Calder Summit of Speed – Saturday

Calder – Race 10

Where: Miami, FL

When: July 10 th, 2010 at 5:13 pm EST

TV: HRTV

$350,000 Grade II Smile Sprint Handicap

For Three-Year-Olds And Upward

6 furlongs over dirt

With all of the speed lined-up in this race, it makes sense to look for a presser or closer. That presser or closer figures to be either Mambo Meister or Congressional Page. I’m going to bet on Congressional Page because he’s listed at 8 to 1 on the morning line meaning that he might be a serious overlay once the gates open. The Michael Trombetta trainee has a record of 6-2-1 out of 11 lifetime races. He’s 5 for 5 at the 7-furlong distance and should get a perfect trip a few lengths behind the speed. Unless the track is “juiced” on Saturday, this guy could win. Mambo Meister drops out of a 1 1/6 th miles race to this 6-furlong distance. My prediction is that he’ll go off as the favorite right before the gates open. For that reason, and that reason alone, I’m not going to bet on him to win. This race is too tough to take a short price on a horse. Go Go Shoot figures to face a lot of other early speed in this but he should go off at a fair price and trainer Todd Pletcher doesn’t enter them unless they can win. He’ll take down the other speed and has a shot to possibly hang on for 3 rd.

1. Congressional Page
2. Mambo Meister
3. Go Go Shoot

Calder – Race 11

Where: Miami, FL

When: July 10 th, 2010 at 5:41 pm EST

TV: HRTV

$350,000 Princess Rooney Handicap

For Fillies and Mares Three-Year-Olds And Upward

6 furlongs over dirt

What a difficult race to handicap! After looking at this thing for about 2 hours, I’ve settled on Mother Ruth. Trainer Bob Baffert must feel like he’s got a winner on his hands or he wouldn’t have sent this gal all the way to Miami. Besides having a record of 4-3-1 out of 9 lifetime races, Mother Ruth is coming off of a sensational victory in a restricted stakes at Lone Star Park where she won by 7 lengths. Once Baffert gets them good, a lot of times they stay good and I’m not going to complain about those 6 to 1 morning line odds. Hour Glass is coming out of a victory in the Grade II Vagrancy where she beat Rightly So. Rightly So came back to win a graded race last week. Hour Glass is 4-1-0 out of 5 races at the distance and 5-3-0 out of 9 lifetime races overall. All of the speed in this really sets it up for her. Jessica Is Back may be a much, much better horse going a distance of ground, but she’s not a bad sprinter either. In fact, she’s won 3 races at this 6-furlong distance and is 6-5-1 out of 17 races over Calder’s main track. She could surprise.

1. Mother Ruth
2. Hour Glass
3. Jessica Is Back

Good luck!

Get in on the horse racing action! Log onto the horse racing sportsbook and bet the ponies!

Weekend Stakes Races: Grade I Triple Bend and Grade I Hollywood Gold Cup

Hollywood Park’s biggest race during their spring meeting, the Hollywood Gold Cup, is this Saturday.

Before Hollywood Park runs the Gold Cup, they will run the Triple Bend.

Both figure to be interesting, competitive, and possibly profitable races.

Weekend Stakes Races – Saturday

Hollywood Park – Race 6

Where: Inglewood, CA

When: July 10th, 2010 at 6:35 pm EST

TV: TVG

$250,000 Grade I Triple Bend Handicap

For Three-Year-Olds And Upward

7 furlongs over cushion track

Gayego hasn’t run in over 3 months but it shouldn’t matter.

The son of Gilded Time who has won over $1.4 million is 2 for 2 over Hollywood Park’s cushion track, won the Grade I Ancient Title last fall at Santa Anita, and picks up jockey Rafael Bejarano.

He’s close to a lock in this race. For most of his career, E Z’s Gentleman spent time in the allowance and optional claiming ranks. That is, until he ran 2nd in the Grade III Los Angeles Handicap in his last.

He’s got every right to be very good again and trainer Bob Baffert is winning at a 30% clip at the Hollywood Park meet. He’s the danger to Gayego. M One Rifle might be over bet in this spot.

Nobody is as fast as he is early, but he’s not exactly on fire going into this after losing his last two races by a combined 10 ½ lengths. He could take the lead and be long gone but at the expected horse betting odds, he’s a play against to win.

1. Gayego
2. E Z’s Gentleman
3. M One Rifle

Hollywood Park – Race 8

Where: Inglewood, CA

When: July 10th, 2010 at 7:35 pm EST

TV: TVG

$500,000 Hollywood Gold Cup

For Three-Year-Olds And Upward

1 1/4th miles over cushion track

A field of 7 will line-up for the Grade I Hollywood Gold Cup. I’m a bit disappointed that no more than 7 horses have shown up for a $500,000 purse.

Rail Trip figures to go off at 6 or 7 to 5 in this spot meaning that he’s a definite play against. I believe it’s going to be tough to keep Richard’s Kid out of the winner’s circle.

Yes, he, like Gayego, is running in this after an extended vacation and a lot of times horses that failed in Dubai come back not wanting to run, but that trainer, that Baffert guy…he knows what he’s doing. Kid has been training beautifully in the mornings for this. He’s the pick.

Rail Trip should hang on for 2nd. The Ron Ellis trainee has 5 victories and 2 seconds out of 7 starts at Hollywood Park. He loves the cushion track, should get a nice stalking trip behind Tres Borrachos and Compari and he figures.

Of course, he’ll be unplayable to win because of the likely horse bet odds. Out of the two likely front-runners, Compari figures to do the best.

The son of Redattore might be better on turf, but Tres Borrachos has lost a step and Compari has gotten better since winning the Snow Chief Stakes over the cushion last April.

1. Richard’s Kid
2. Rail Trip
3. Compari

Good luck!

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Saturday MLB Free Picks – Hamilton, Guerrero to Pound Orioles into Submission

Prolific heavy-hitters, Josh Hamilton and Vladimir Guerrero will both be looking to bash the Baltimore Orioles into submission when they host their lowly rivals in the third game of a four-game set at Rangers Ballpark tonight at 8 PM ET.

The Orioles had lost seven of its last 10 games heading into Friday nights Game 2 contest while Texas had gone just 4-6 over the same span.

Saturday, July 10, 8:05 PM ET

MLB Odds: N/A

Baltimore Orioles

TBD

Texas Rangers

Matt Harrison

Baltimore (26-59 SU, 36-45-4 O/U, 35-50 RL)

Texas (50-35 SU, 41-40-4 O/U, 41-44 RL)

TV: MASN 2 HD, TXA-21 HD

Radio: Sirius 179 XM

Here is a look at the key MLB online betting trends for each team, followed by my in-depth analysis and MLB Free Picks.

• Over is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings in Texas.
• Under is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.

Baltimore 411

• Orioles are 16-38 in their last 54 road games vs. a left-handed starter.
• Orioles are 7-19 in their last 26 Saturday games.
• Orioles are 14-41 in their last 55 games vs. a left-handed starter.

Texas 411

• Rangers are 5-0 in their last 5 Saturday games.
• Rangers are 7-2 in their last 9 during game 3 of a series.
• Rangers are 4-1 in Harrison’s last 5 home starts vs. a team with a losing record.
• Rangers are 2-5 in Harrison’s last 7 starts.

The Starters: The Orioles haven’t named a starter as of yet, but Interim manager Juan Samuel said he was initially leaning toward going with veteran left-handed reliever Mark Hendrickson.

However, Hendrickson pitched in Thursday’s game against the Rangers in relief and Baltimore will almost certainly turn to talented Triple-A right-hander Chris Tillman.

Tillman is 3-0 with a 1.66 ERA since he was optioned by the Orioles. During his time in Baltimore, he was 0-8 with a 8.40 ERA in four starts.

"It was a possibility that we were going to think about Hendrickson, but we would like to keep the bullpen the way it is," Samuel said. "We have four games here, and this is a very good offensive club. We need all the arms we could use. We are leaning toward making that decision [Friday]."

Texas will counter with right-hander Matt Harrison who comes out of the bullpen to make his first start after seven reief appearances. Harrison has allowed just two earned runs over his last five relief appearances spanning 12.0 innings.

Analysis: I’m going to go with the Texas Rangers to record the outright home win and moneyline cover as Matt Harrison has been throwing the ball very well lately.

If Matt Harrison doesn’t get pounded for an insane number of runs, I like the Rangers’ far more prolific offense to make a win stand up.

The Rangers have gone a perfect 5-0 in their last five Saturday games while also going 7-2 in their last nine Game 3 contests.

The Orioles are 7-19 in their last 26 Saturday games and an awful 14-41 in their last 55 games against a left-handed starter.

For MLB gamblers that like to wager on the O/U outcome, I also like the Over for this matchup as it has played out in fix of the last six meeting between these AL rivals.

MLB Free Picks: Rangers SU Moneyline Win/Over Set O/U Total

Will both Uruguay and Germany each tally a goal in their World Cup betting match-up?

Before the World Cup finale kicks off on Sunday, there is still the matter of deciding who will take the third place honors home. Germany and Uruguay are probably both quite disappointed with their efforts in the semifinals, but both will be going for broke to try to return to their respective countries on a high note of capturing third place. Today, we are looking at the World Cup betting lines to determine if both teams will score in this match.

World Cup Odds

Both Teams Score -165

One or Both Teams Don’t Score +125

Historically speaking, this is the highest scoring match of the tournament for good reason. Winning the match isn’t necessarily of utmost importance, and should a team lose, it will still go home with its head held high for a good performance in the World Cup.

The 2006 rendition of the third place game in Germany was a great one for the hosts. The Germans won this match 3-1 over Portugal in a game that was incredibly wide open. What that match, as well as the one in 2002 in South Korea had was the host nation being involved. More than likely, that won’t slow down the pace of the match.

Both of these teams have Golden Boot candidates that know they have to score twice to have a chance at winning the award outright.

For Uruguay, no striker is playing better than F Diego Forlan. He has scored in both the L/2 matches for the top South American side in this tournament, and he has been creating chances where there aren’t necessarily any during the entire World Cup. Forlan should see even more scoring chances now that his partner in crime, F Luis Suarez is back in the mix as well. Suarez was suspended for the semifinals against Holland thanks to a red card in the Ghana match, and he will be out to prove that he is still one of the elite strikers in the world in this match.

For Germany, the goal is going to be to get F Miroslav Klose on the stat sheet at least once. He needs one goal to tie Brazil’s F Ronaldo for the most in the history of the World Cup. That one strike would also tie him for the lead in the Golden Boot going into Sunday with both Holland’s F Wesley Sneijder and Spain’s F David Villa.

M Thomas Mueller was suspended for the semifinals due to an accumulation of yellow cards, but he is still tied for the lead in goals on this team with four and is one shy of the Golden Boot lead as well.

The bottom line is that both of these teams are going to probably be out looking for a ton of goals to the point that it is probably selfish. Six of the L/7 third place matches have ended with both teams scoring at least one goal, and we don’t see how that won’t be result again on Saturday.

My World Cup Predictions: Both Teams Score -165

World Cup Odds – Golden Boot Winner for 2010 World Cup

With just two fixtures left in the World Cup, there are still five candidates that are within striking distance of winning the Golden Boot Award. Here at BetOnline.com, we are analyzing the World Cup odds for the top goal scorer of the tournament one final time.

David Villa, Spain (-135) – Villa went from a tremendous soccer odds on favorite to win the Golden Boot to just a slight odds on choice after he went scoreless for the first time since the opening match of the World Cup against Switzerland. The Dutch defense has been open of late, so he should get plenty of chances to find the back of the net against La Oranje in Sunday’s finale. If he does, the Golden Boot should be his for sure.

Wesley Sneijder, Holland (+250) – Realistically speaking, Sneijder should be the only other man that has a chance of winning this award, as he also has five goals. Unlike Villa though, Sneijder did find the back of the net in the semifinals, as he netted the match winning goal against Uruguay to send the Dutch to their first ever World Cup final.

It will most likely take a score to keep Sneijder in the running, but we aren’t counting him out and like his World Cup odds at this price.

Miroslav Klose, Germany (+500) – Klose is going to be a favored choice of a lot of tipsters because of the fact that he is chasing history at the same time that he is chasing the Golden Boot.

Two goals would not only take the outright lead in the chase for the Boot, but it would make Klose the all-time leading scorer in the history of this tournament. He currently sits at four goals in this tournament and 14 for his career.

Thomas Mueller, Germany (+1200) – The situation is about as good for Mueller as possible after getting suspended for the semifinals due to cards.

Villa not scoring kept the German midfielder just one goal off of the pace for the Golden Boot, and he is very likely to see plenty of openings in the third place match against Uruguay. Still, this is Klose’s game for Germany, and everyone on the German sidelines know it.

If Mueller scores, it won’t be the main goal of the attack.

Diego Forlan, Uruguay (+1200) – This is the best dark horse candidate of the bunch. Forlan just keeps setting up seemingly every opportunity that Uruguay has at goal.

He scored once again in the semifinals against Holland to level the match at a goal apiece, but he, like both Mueller and Klose, is coming from a goal off the pace.

Germany has a significantly better defense than Uruguay does, so it will take not only two goals from Forlan, but a good effort from the German defense to make sure that neither Klose nor Mueller score twice as well to give Forlan a shot at cashing this +1200 ticket.

World Cup Betting – Goal Scorers in the World Cup Final

Historically speaking, the World Cup Final isn’t a match that is typically one for a ton of goals. In fact, the L/5 finales have only netted a total of eight goals. Still, Spain and Holland have offenses that are capable of putting up a ton of goals regardless of what history suggests. Our World Cup betting preview looks at potential goal scorers for the affair.

David Villa, Spain (+110) – Villa was quiet against Germany in terms of actually producing goals, but he did have chance after chance to try to break the deadlock. Spain’s top striker is still trying to win the Golden Boot Award for the top goal scorer in this tournament, and he will need at least one strike to make sure that he can win the honor outright. We’ll take our chances that he scores in a match like this one at least 50 percent of the time.

Arjen Robben, Holland (+300) – You can bet that the Spanish are going to know where Robben is at every step of the way in this finale. Robben has a knack for getting a hold of the ball and not giving it up, as he is trying to create something out of nothing. He struck for the Dutch in the 73rd minute of the semifinal against Uruguay, and we have a feeling that he will be able to get his licks in again in this match as well. Robben only has two goals in this tournament, but he has largely been playing with a hamstring injury. That shouldn’t be a concern with the biggest prize in soccer on the line.

Fernando Torres, Spain (+210) – The Spanish have been asking for quite a bit out of Fernando Torres in this tournament, but they just haven’t gotten it yet. However, this is man that has the flare for the dramatics, as he scored the match winning goal in Euro 2008 for Spain. It is still unknown whether or not Torres will be in the starting 11 for Spain come Sunday, and obviously if he isn’t, these odds aren’t fantastic. Still, we know if La Roja needs a strike, Torres is coming on the pitch, and particularly if he is a rested substitute, we will take our chances.

Wesley Sneijder, Holland (+175) – It seems like every time someone doubts Sneijder, he comes up with another goal. The third attacker of the Dutch trio just has a knack for showing up in the right spot when balls are delivered in, as it feels like all five of his goals have come after a perfect delivery from a teammate. Still, it takes a lot of fortitude to be able to finish that many goals in a tournament of this stature, and you can believe that Sneijder is going to be right there when push comes to shove, challenging Villa for the Golden Boot. Sneijder has the same five goals that Villa has coming into the World Cup Final.

Odds to Win Third Place – Uruguay vs Germany

Both Germany and Uruguay are going to be bitterly disappointed with the fact that they are playing in the third place game in this tournament, but they will square off in their final World Cup betting duel of 2010 on Saturday afternoon.

The Uruguayans had a great chance of taking out the Dutch on Tuesday in Cape Town, but they ultimately fell 3-2 in a match that really fell apart on them in a matter of just a few minutes in the second half.

For Germany, a 1-0 defeat to Spain was disappointing, but it was a fair result. Still, the Germans will fight hard to go back to their homeland in very successful fashion, as a third place finish would be fantastic.

Uruguay vs. Germany

• Game Date/Time: Saturday, July 10th, 2:30 PM ET
• Game Location: Nelson Mandela Bay, Port Elizabeth Bay, South Africa
• TV/Radio Broadcast: ABC, ESPN360, XM

World Cup Odds

Uruguay +400 +0.5 +115

Germany -125 -0.5 -125

Draw +270

Total 2.5 over -140 2.5 under +125

Odds to Win Third Place

Germany -250

Uruguay +220

Uruguay played the semifinal without the services of F Luis Suarez, and it really showed. Save for the efforts of F Diego Forlan, the rest of the offense for the top South American side in this tournament were lackluster at best.

Forlan did score in the 41st minute, which put Uruguay back on terms after an early strike by the Flying Dutchmen. It was the fourth goal of the tournament for Forlan, who is still one off the pace for the Golden Boot honors.

However, a bad stretch of about five minutes saw Uruguay fall apart. Two goals from Holland were never totally answered. A 90th minute goal from M Maximiliano Pereira was merely a consolation.

For Germany, finishing in third place might be the secondary goal. Both M Thomas Mueller, who was suspended for the semifinal and F Miroslav Klose have four tallies in this tournament to match Forlan. Both are in search of the goal that could give them a share of the Golden Boot.

Klose has a bigger accomplishment on his mind. With just one goal in the third place match, he will tie for the most goals ever scored in a World Cup career, tying Brazil’s Ronaldo.

World Cup Betting Insider Tip: The Germans have taken the third place award in this tournament three times in their history, including in the World Cup in 2006.

Germany has the upper hand in this match without a doubt, but Forlan and the crew should be up for a great match. Uruguay’s offense is certainly good enough, especially with Suarez back in the fold, to be able to compete with the European side for the full 90 minutes.

We aren’t so sure that this will translate into a third place finish for the Uruguayans, but we do think that they are good for at least a draw in 90 minutes. Uruguay is the squad to go with in this World Cup betting battle.

My World Cup Prediction: Uruguay +0.5 in 90 minutes +115

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