US Team Must Defeat Italy to Remain World Cup Contenders
After a disappointing loss in their first game against Czech Republic, the US men's national soccer team has regrouped in preparation for another tough match against a potent Italian squad on Saturday in Kaiserslautern, Germany. Odds makers and sports gambling experts at VIPSports Sportsbook, the world's largest online sportsbook and casino, have posted odds on the outcome of the stars and stripes' second game, listing them once again as the 5.75 underdog.
Bettors also are not optimistic, the US team has attracted only 27. 5 per cent of total wagers. The Italians, who defeated Ghana in their first match, are the 1. 50 favorites, and have received 70. 9 per cent of total wagers, with the rest of the money resting on a tie. The US team has been publicly criticized for its uninspired play by Coach Bruce Arena. Team members declare that they have put the loss behind them and are ready to redeem themselves against Italy. Arena specifically pointed fingers at Landon Donovan and Demarcus Beasley for their lack of aggression against the Czechs and has called on them to step up their game.
The Italians, a perennial favorite in this year's World Cup, will look to build on their 2-0 victory over Ghana and take the next step forward in winning a difficult Group E. "Although the US squad is down, they certainly aren't out of this tournament yet, and you can guarantee the Italians are not going to take this game lightly," said Alex Czajkowski, Marketing Director at Sportsbook. com. "Everybody bets on the World Cup, and our boys in blue know this is a must-win situation.
The pressure to keep American World Cup dreams alive might just be enough to produce an upset. "The United States came into the 2006 World Cup sitting at 30-1, but after losing to Czech Republic have fallen to 40-1, the 13th best odds in the field. Brazil has become the overwhelming favorite with odds of 1-1, followed by South American rivals Argentina (21-4), England (21-4), Germany (13-2), Italy (7-1), Holland (8-1), and France (8-1).
June 16, 2006
Posted By Jill Squires
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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