Brazil to see off slumping Ukraine in Derby
We're not exactly hesitant when given the chance to mock those who make bold statements without offering anything to back it up, yet risked ridicule ourselves last month with our simplistic thesis that countries that go a long time without a competitive fixture are likely to suffer performance-wise.
The argument was our basis for opposing Euro 2012 co-hosts Poland in a friendly against Australia, a decision thankfully justified by a 2-1 home loss, and we're going to fall back on it - albeit with more evidence to back up our claims - for fellow stagers Ukraine's clash with Brazil at Pride Park tonight.
Ukraine have gone a week shy of 11 months without playing a meaningful match since their World Cup play-off flop against Greece and while they initially came out fighting, thumping Lithuania 4-0 and seeing off Romania and Norway, results have gradually tailed off with little but pride at stake.
The Eastern European nation, who are without captain Andriy Shevchenko this evening, have won only one of their last four and needed to fight back from 2-0 down to salvage a draw against Canada in Kiev on Saturday.
Brazil are on a 12-month friendly diet themselves before next year's Copa America, however they're still in the early phase of trying to prove a point after their disappointing quarter-final exit at the World Cup, a process boosted by a change in coach, with Mano Menezes replacing Dunga.
Despite being almost a completely different team to the one that appeared in South Africa - of the players that started against Holland in July, only Dani Alves and Robinho are in this squad - the Menezes' era has opened promisingly, with a 2-0 victory over USA and 3-0 triumph against Iran.
The Selecao have won ten successive friendlies over the last two years so odds of [1.51] on them extending that streak in Derby look rather generous. The other standout wager is to back Villarreal forward Nilmar to score at [3.1], as he's in great form, having netted eight times this season, a run which includes a goal off the bench in Brazil's weekend win in Iran.
Brazil v Ukraine
Kick-off: 7.30pm
Live on ESPN and Betfair Live Video
Fancy Ukraine to disprove our flawless theory? They can be backed at [8.4]...
Published: 11 Oct 2010
Robert Wilson (October 18, 2010 9:12 AM) said:
thanks for the post