Soccer archive

Soccer betting fans can get their fix when Champions League play continues Wednesday. Real Madrid is a heavy favorite (-300) to defeat Olympique Lyonnais (+900) when they hook up in a Last-16 match. A draw is getting +400 odds.

The two teams battled to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Last-16 match. Former Lyon favorite Benzema checked into the game in the second half and was given a warm reception; that didn’t last long, as he scored just 43 seconds later to give Real a crucial 1-0 lead. Lyon didn’t wilt, though, and got a goal from Bafetimbi Gomis in the 83rd minute.

Real Madrid carved its way through Champions League group play. The club won Group G with a 5-1-0 record, racking up 15 goals while surrendering just a pair through six games of action. It’s hardly surprising considering how well Real has played during the La Liga season; the club is second in the standings with a 22-4-2 record, having scored 67 goals while allowing just 20—an outstanding plus-47 goal differential.

It has been months since Real Madrid tasted defeat, a Jan. 6 loss to Levante UD—a span of 16 matches. Real has won its past three outings, all La Liga games, including a 2-0 victory over Hercules CF on Saturday. All three wins came easily, as Real Madrid outscored the opposition 12-1 in those games. Momentum is certainly on the club’s side.

Olympique Lyon finished second in Group B. The club went 3-1-2 during group play. Scoring wasn’t so much a problem, as it racked up 11 goals, but Lyon couldn’t keep the ball out of its own net—it allowed 10 goals during group play. Lyon currently sits third in Ligue 1 action, going 13-9-5 through 27 games. The team has scored 46 times (second best in Ligue 1) while giving up 25 goals.

Lyon has won back-to-back matches and, like Real Madrid, has some serious momentum going into Wednesday’s game. After crushing AC Arles-Avignon 5-0 last week, Lyon delivered a 2-0 victory over FC Sochaux on Saturday.

Get all your soccer odds at Bodog Sportsbook.

Despite playing well in a 1-1 international friendly with superpower Argentina on Saturday, the Team USA national team will make a few changes for tonight’s friendly in Nashville against another of the world’s better teams, Paraguay. The U.S. has opened as a +110 favorite, with Paraguay at +220 and a draw at +220 on Bodog’s soccer odds.

The U.S. might have found a future star in 18-year-old Juan Agudelo. He played in just his third national team game Saturday night, entering as a second-half substitute and scoring the equalizing goal against the Argentines. That means Agudelo has been involved in the last three U.S. goals, all as a second-half sub: scoring against Argentina, drawing a penalty that led to the tying goal against Chile in January and scoring the game-winner on his debut at South Africa last November.

One change tonight likely will come in net. Because some of the European regulars looked winded on Saturday, it’s possible that players like Clint Dempsey, Carlos Bocanegra, Maurice Edu and keeper Tim Howard all get tonight off after starting Saturday. Because coach Bob Bradley brought two goalkeepers (Marcus Hahnemann and David Yelldell) other than Howard, he's sure to use one or both tonight. Agudelo is likely to play more tonight. In all, 10 players invited to camp last week logged no minutes Saturday. The U.S. could once again start three central midfielders flanked by Landon Donovan and Dempsey.

Paraguay has been a World Cup regular since 1994 and reached the quarterfinals in South Africa last summer. The Paraguayans opened their World Cup account by matching Italy in a 1-1 draw. Later Paraguay stretched eventual 2010 champion Spain in a 1-0 quarterfinal loss. Paraguay, however, is licking its wounds from a 3-1 defeat to Mexico on Saturday.

Get the best soccer props always at Bodog Sportsbook

The FA Cup Semi-Finals take place on the weekend of 16th and 17th April and the excitement in the race to reach Wembley is building. Man United play city rivals Man City on 16th, while the 17th sees Bolton Wanderers take on Stoke City. The ties could go either way, so start betting on the FA Cup with bet365 sportsbook now to increase the temperature.

Just like any business and especially with betting there are inherent risks involved. It takes time and effort and in many cases it also takes a certain change of mindset in order to succeed.

To begin with, it is essential for you to realize that “Betting Is A Serious Business and Gambling Is for Thrill Seekers” there is a HUGE difference between the two. Betting is a serious business and should be treated as such. Therefore we are only to bet for one reason – to generate consistent long-term profits.

Short-term get rich quick gambling – winning a little one week and then losing you entire bankroll the next is just not welcome with me. So if you are reading this whilst seeking out your next ‘gambling fix’, you are simply at the wrong place. You can continue your search, as you won’t find anything in this article that will help you feed your habit.

You see, I mentor and encourage my members to stop hopelessly gambling, and instead try to educate them how to move towards approaching betting in a more disciplined, methodical and business like manner.

Before you take bets, you should fully understand the situation or what you were betting on. This is fundamental to making a sensible decision. Pretty sure you will find these tips invaluable to your betting success:

Never bet what you can’t afford to lose.

Don’t try and be too clever!

Bet on what you know.

Beware of “hot insider tips” (It rarely exists)

Don’t bet on teams you are emotionally disposed to.

Base decisions on statistics combined with current news information

Though, this tips can aid your decision, however remember you need to decide to follow the advice – or not … nothing is ever 100% certain … don’t follow any advice blindly! I will keep trying hard to give you the best advice but in the end it is your decision. You are best off developing your own technique. Trust your own instincts.

Together with my bet recommendations based on updated information combined with well defined statistical analysis, you will have the opportunity to see reasons why my advice bet is worth considering. Interested in getting them for free? Available freely at FOOTBALL BUSINESS RESOURCE CENTER.

How have you been doing this season with your bets?

You probably picked some bets you think would end up increasing your bankroll - but, despite all your great predictions, I suspect that you still ended up losing money over the season?

Just how did that happen? Usually it happens because you take bets when you didn't fully understand the situation or what you were betting on. Here are some good rules to help you turn good predicting into good business.


RULE 1: NEVER BET WHAT YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE.

This is the simplest rule to understand, but the hardest rule to stick by for most punters. Every punter who has hit a winning streak or a losing streak has fallen into the trap and gambled away money they couldn't afford to lose. DON'T DO IT !!

It is very easy to fall into the trap because when you are winning, there is the temptation to increase stakes in order to make a bulk at once. On the other hand, you think you can always get back your losses by doubling your stake. DON'T DO IT !!

It is the gambler's curse. It will surely lead to disaster in the long-term and a lot quicker than you they anticipate. The safest way to get as much enjoyment out of the betting experience is to work out how much money you can afford to lose before you start. Betting big when you are losing is a sure-fire way to lose your rent, food money for the week. DON'T DO IT !!

I'll be back tommorrow with more valuable tips.

Enjoy!

RULE 2: DON'T TRY AND BE TOO CLEVER, LEARN!
An old Chinese proverb 'every journey starts with a single step', when you place your first bet. Try a single bet. A small profit is better than any sized loss.

Learn how to place a bet
Learn how the odds work
Learn how difficult it is to pick one winner
Learn and enjoy the feeling that collecting the
"payout" gives you

An easy and cheap way to learn without making expensive mistakes is to read books on betting. Learn, Learn always Learn.

RULE 3: BET ON WHAT YOU KNOW
It is hard enough working out who will win a football match without complicating things still further by betting on an event when you know nothing about the teams or the league. Don't be tempted to place large amounts of money on an obscure match in the Mexican League just because you read one article on it.

If you consider the people involved (Ie. the players, the referees, the managers) that means more than 30 variables (with substitutes). That doesn't even include variables like the state of the pitch, international call-ups, long-term injuries, financial implications, transfers, legal and disciplinary procedures etc..

A tempting price seems exciting - until the bet loses. And when you find out (after the match) that a star forward was rested or great goal-keeper was out injured then you'll feel stupid. The bookies knew - that's why they set that tempting price.

I make 80% of my money on leagues that I have adequate information about. That is how it should be!

American soccer fans are probably much more familiar with the English Premier League than the Spanish La Liga, but nowhere is there better soccer played in any league in the world and probably the biggest soccer rivalry on the planet is in La Liga: Barcelona and Real Madrid. And on Saturday the two superpowers will face off for the first of four high-intensity “El Clasico” matches over the next 18 days. Barcelona is a +150 favorite for Saturday’s Primera Division match on Bodog’s soccer odds, with Real Madrid at +165 and a draw at +230.

Next Wednesday the clubs face each other in the Copa del Rey final at Mestalla. And in the following two weeks they face each other in the UEFA Champions League semifinals at Santiago Bernabéu and Camp Nou. Barcelona and Madrid last faced each other in the semifinals of the Champions League in 2001-02. Real emerged victorious and won the competition by defeating Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 in the final.

Frankly, Saturday’s match at Santiago Bernabéu is probably the least important of the four. A Barcelona victory will see the Blaugrana go 11 points clear and all but confirm their status as champions of the league. With an eight-point lead, Barcelona probably still wins the title barring a loss by more than 5-0 – Barcelona won the reverse fixture 5-0 earlier this season. As long as it’s not that type of Real Madrid blowout, Barca would still have a five-point lead that is essentially a six-point lead (given head-to-head tiebreakers) at the top of the table with just six games to go. This is even more impressive considering star David Villa, the star of Spain’s World Cup champions last summer, has failed to score in a competitive game for his club since the end of February. But he scored twice in that Nov. 29 5-0 blowout of Real Madrid and has 30 goals in La Liga competition this season. That defeat was also the first loss for Coach Jose Mourinho in his first 19 games in all competitions since joining Madrid last summer.

Bodog Sportsbook has the globe covered with odds and props on all of the planet’s major leagues

RULE 4: BEWARE OF "HOT INSIDER TIPS"

There are plenty of people who are keen to give you information that will, according to them, make you a fortune.

Whether it be through websites that claim to have the perfect formula to win on the football pools, to premium rate telephone lines claiming to be experts.

My advice is to beware.

By all means read the websites (like footballgoldmine.com) and ask questions ... but remember you need to decide to follow the advice - or not ... nothing is ever 100% certain ... don't follow any advice blindly ... not EVEN MINE!!

Footballgoldmine.com try hard to give you the best advice but in the end it is your money, and your decision. You are best off developing your own technique, gambling what you can afford.

Trust your own instincts.

They are celebrating today in Manchester, England, as Manchester United – arguably the most popular sports team in the world — has clinched the English Premier League title thanks to a 1-1 draw at Blackburn on Saturday. It’s a record 19th title for the Red Devils.

Wayne Rooney scored on a penalty kick in the 73rd minute after Javier Hernandez was fouled to earn the point. Alex Ferguson's side needed only one point to regain the Premier League trophy from Chelsea with one game to spare. The draw put United seven points clear of Chelsea, who host Newcastle on Sunday. Ferguson has now won 12 championships since taking charge in 1986, when Liverpool reigned supreme with 16, and will seek to win his third European crown against Barcelona at Wembley Stadium on May 28 – bet on the match at Bodog. Ferguson said he now intends to rest some of his players in next weekend's final league game at home to Blackpool ahead of their Champions League final clash with Barcelona.

United had won consecutive Premier League titles from 2006-07 through 2008-09 before Chelsea won last season.

"This means a lot; winning a 19th title is a great achievement," Ferguson said. "Not so much because we have gone past Liverpool, but because we have now won more league titles than anyone else, as well as more FA Cups.”

Man U fans aren’t the only ones celebrating Saturday. Local rivals Manchester City beat Stoke City 1-0 in FA Cup final later in the day. The win ends City's 35-year trophy drought, with Yaya Toure scoring the only goal. For the first time since 1951, top division games were played on the same day as the FA Cup final.

Bet on all Champions League matches now at Bodog Sportsbook!

The CONCACAF Gold Cup kicks off for the United States and Canada on Tuesday night when the two Group C clubs face off at Ford Field in Detroit. The USA is a -350 favorite on Bodog’s soccer odds, with Canada at +750.

The Americans enter off one of their worst efforts in years, a 4-0 embarrassment on home soil to reigning World Cup champion Spain in a friendly on Saturday. And it could have been worse, as Spain had one goal called back and another shot hit the crossbar. But the U.S. didn’t play all its top players as coach Bob Bradley said beforehand he considered the Spain match basically insignificant compared to the Gold Cup.

The Gold Cup is the premier event for CONCACAF, the federation representing North and Central America and the Caribbean. The tournament champion earns a spot in the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil, an important World Cup tuneup. The Americans and Mexico are considered the favorites and have played in the past two finals – 11 years ago Canada won the Gold Cup, the only country besides the U.S. and Mexico to ever do so.

The top American player, Landon Donovan, will play tonight. He was on the practice field Sunday after missing the loss to Spain with an undisclosed illness. The Americans need him as they have tallies only two goals in four matches this year. Canada might have its best team ever and enters off a 2-2 draw with Ecuador and has lost just once this year.

The U.S. has never lost a match in the group stage of the Gold Cup, winning 23 and tying twice in 25 matches. The U.S. has won all 10 of its Gold Cup openers, outscoring opponents 25-5 and posting six shutouts. Canada last faced the U.S. in the semifinals of the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup, a 2-1 win for the U.S. The Americans have a 12-8-9 record against Canada all-time.

Get the best soccer props now at Bodog Sportsbook!

I was wondering if anybody could recommend any good iPhone Football Games? So far I found Fifa 11, Real Soccer, Flick Football and Goal Battle. Does anybody have any other suggestions?

Try google 😁

The USA can advance in the CONCACAF Gold Cup with a win over Group C co-leader Panama on Saturday night. The Americans opened as -450 favorites on Bodog’s soccer odds with Panama at +1000 for the match in Tampa, Fla.

Team USA bounced back from an ugly 4-0 friendly loss last Saturday with a 2-0 victory over Canada in both teams’ Gold Cup opener on Tuesday night. Jozy Altidore scored in the 15th minute and set up Clint Dempsey’s goal in the 62nd as the Americans improved to 24-0-2 all-time in group play of the regional tournament and extended their unbeaten streak against Canada to 14, dating from 1985. The 21-year-old Altidore was playing his first game in a Gold Cup, which is the championship of North and Central America and the Caribbean. The tournament champion receives a berth in the 2013 Confederations Cup, an important World Cup tuneup.

Panama, meanwhile, beat Guadeloupe 3-2 also Tuesday in Detroit. But the Panamanians nearly relinquished a three-goal lead in the last 26 minutes against the Gwada Boys, who were left with 10 players after Michael Tacalfred’s red card late in the first half.

The U.S. and Panama haven’t met since the quarterfinals of the 2009 Gold Cup, a 2-1 extra-time victory for the Americans. Mexican referee Benito Archundia awarded a penalty kick after Roman Torres' ill-placed kick on Kenny Cooper. The U.S. forward took the kick himself and converted with an inch to spare. But the Americans did trail 1-0 at halftime.

Panama’s star is Blas Pérez, who scored in that last meeting with the U.S. and also found the net on Tuesday. It was his seventh career goal in the Gold Cup.

Get the best soccer odds and props at Bodog Sportsbook!

After a stunning loss to Panama in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, we should find out what Team USA is made of when it faces Guadeloupe in Kansas City in the final match of the opening round. The Americans are huge -2500 favorites on Bodog’s soccer odds.

Saturday’s 2-1 loss to the Panamanian was historic for all the wrong reasons as it was the national team’s first-ever loss in Gold Cup group play as well as the USA’s first-ever loss to Panama. It the U.S. in second place with one match left to play in Group C action. The Americans need a win against Guadeloupe to ensure advancement to the quarterfinals.

The U.S. can clinch a spot in the quarterfinals with a victory because no other team could finish in third place in Group A or B with six points. However, there are scenarios that could have the U.S. finish in any of the four positions in Group C. The U.S. could also finish as high as second in the group with a draw or even a loss, depending on the match earlier in the evening between Panama and Canada. There are also scenarios where the U.S. ties or loses against Guadeloupe and finishes third in the group, but still advances. Those scenarios are dependent on results in Group A and B matches involving the current third- and fourth-place teams. Plus finishing third in Group C could set up a brutal quarterfinal match-up against Mexico if Canada beats Panama.

A win in the first all-time meeting with Guadeloupe sends the U.S. to RFK Stadium outside Washington, D.C., for a quarterfinal as either the first- or second-place team in the group. In terms of a quarterfinal opponent, if the U.S. finishes second in the group it will play either Honduras or Jamaica. A first-place finish would see the U.S. play the third-place team from either Group A or B.

Guadeloupe isn’t as highly regarded as Panama, but after a rough first half of Gold Cup play against Canada, Guadeloupe has outscored its opponents 2-1 in its past 149 minutes of play, and that’s despite playing most of those minutes down a man after being issued red cards in each of its first two group matches. U.S. coach Bob Bradley is expected to make some lineup changes after sticking with the same group the first two matches.

Bet on the Gold Cup all tournament long at Bodog Sportsbook!

It's vital that we make a distinction between the word 'Gambling and Serious Business'.

To begin with, it is essential for you to realize that “Betting Is A Serious Business and Gambling Is for Thrill Seekers” there is a HUGE difference between the two. Betting is a serious business and should be treated as such. Therefore we are only to bet for one reason – to generate consistent long-term profits.

Short-term get rich quick gambling – winning a little one week and then losing you entire bankroll the next is just a form of insanity. I teach and educate people to stop hopeless gambling, I mentor and encourage my subscribers to stop hopelessly gambling, and instead try to educate them how to move towards approaching betting in a more disciplined, methodical and business like manner.

Before you take bets, you should fully understand the situation or what you were betting on. This is fundamental to making a sensible decision. Pretty sure you will find these tips invaluable to your betting success:

Never bet what you can’t afford to lose.
Don’t try and be too clever!
Bet on what you know.
Beware of “hot insider tips” (It rarely exists)
Don’t bet on teams you are emotionally disposed to.
Base decisions on statistics combined with current news information

These are some of the rules I apply. I do not gamble, instead I plan, strategize and come up with bets and trades that have high probability winning percentage.

Enjoy!

The U.S. national soccer team probably saved Coach Bob Bradley’s job with an ugly 1-0 win over Guadeloupe earlier this week that allowed the U.S. to advance to the Gold Cup quarterfinals. But a loss Sunday to Jamaica at RFK Stadium outside of Washington, D.C., likely would mean the end of Bradley’s tenure. The U.S. is a -200 favorite on Bodog’s soccer odds, with Jamaica at +550 and a regulation draw at +285.

Jozy Altidore's goal in the ninth minute was enough for a 1-0 victory over Guadeloupe on Tuesday; the U.S. should have won by a lot more as they outshot the Guada Boys 21-5. The Americans finished second in Group C, the first time they failed to win their group in Gold Cup play. Their loss to Panama last week was their first-ever in group play.

The U .S. is 12-3-4 at RFK since 1991 and 5-0-1 since a 3-2 loss to Honduras in 2001. Its last game there was the Americans’ final qualifying game for the 2010 World Cup when they tied Costa Rica 2-2 after being down 2-0. That tie, with the U.S. tying in stoppage time, kept Costa Rica from qualifying for the World Cup. Overall, the Americans are 9-0-8 against Jamaica but have settled for 1-1 draws in three of the past four meetings. The Jamaicans won all three of their group play matches by shutout, beating Grenada 4-0, Guatemala 2-1 and Honduras 1-0.

The winner of the USA-Jamaica match will face the winner of the Panama-El Salvador match (which follows the U.S. game at RFK Stadium) on Wednesday at Houston’s Reliant Stadium. The other quarterfinals feature Costa Rica vs. Honduras and Mexico vs. Guatemala. The Gold Cup winner qualifies for the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil.

The best soccer props can always be found at Bodog Sportsbook!

It’s the CONCACAF Gold Cup final that everyone was hoping for and expecting: heated rivals the United States and Mexico well meet in Saturday night’s championship match at the Rose Bowl for the right to earn a coveted spot in the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil. Mexico has opened as a +135 favorite on Bodog’s soccer odds, with the U.S. at +180.

On Wednesday, the Americans avenged a group play loss to Panama – the first-ever USA loss to Panama and first loss for the U.S. national team ever in Gold Cup group play – 1-0 thanks to a goal by Clint Dempsey, his third of the tournament. The United States played without young striker Jozy Altidore, who had two goals in the Gold Cup. He has a hamstring injury and won’t be able to go tonight, either. Young Juan Agudelo started for Altidore against Panama.

It’s the fourth Gold Cup final in a row for the U.S. and third straight year it will face the Mexicans, who beat Honduras in the other semifinal Wednesday. Mexico won the 2009 Gold Cup 5-0 over basically an American “B” team. The Americans beat Mexico in the 2007 final, 2-1. The two teams haven’t played since August 2009 when Mexico beat the USA 2-1 in a critical World Cup qualifier in Mexico City. And despite the fact the Rose Bowl is in Pasadena, Calif., the sold-out crowd is expected to be hugely for the El Tri.

The best player on the pitch on Saturday and the focus of the American defense will be Mexico’s Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, who has blossomed into a superstar in one season with Manchester United of the English Premier League. He scored in the Mexicans’ 2-0 overtime semifinal win over Honduras. After scoring a tournament-high 14 goals in group play, Mexico has been held scoreless in three of the four halves it has played since then.

Mexico is in the final despite a depleted roster. Five players — goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, defenders Francisco Rodriguez and Edgar Duenas, and midfielders Christian Bermudez and Antonio Naelson – were suspended before the tournament for positive tests for clenbuterol.

Get the best soccer odds and props now at Bodog Sportsbook!

Interest waning in the Women's World Cup? What if they were wearing bikinis?
Unfortunately, you won't see that on the pitch during FIFA's tournament in Germany, but you will see it on soccer fields in Russia.
A cash-strapped women's team has decided to set back women's soccer or "futbol" a couple of decades by stripping down to a two-piece in order to garner interest. FC Rossiyanka from Krasnoarmeysk near Moscow is losing money, and they've gone to a new extreme in order to put butts in the seats.

"We are the best woman's team in Russia and have won many championships, even representing our country in the UEFA Champions League," head coach Tatyana Egorova explained.

"But few people have ever heard of us and we don't get many people coming to games so we've decided to give our profile a boost by appearing in bikinis."

Regardless of what sports or female sports fans feel about his move one can understand why they are going to desperate measures.

Founded in 1990, FC Rossiyanka have won the Russian Women's Premier League three times, in 2005, 2006 and 2010, and qualified for the recently established Women's Champions League twice – both times reaching the last-16. Despite all that, they play in front of very few fans.

"We hope it will also improve the numbers of tickets we sell," Ergova said. "We think it's a good idea – our players are beautiful, great athletes and determined to win."

Unsurprisingly, the photo shoot for the team has already garnered tons of mainstream interest. Can you honestly say you won't watch a game if it's on ESPN2?

Bet on MLS odds in the Bodog Sportsbook. Bodog, be a player.

Landon Donovan and David Beckham highlight the Major League Soccer betting action this weekend, as the Los Angeles Galaxy prepares to host the Chicago Fire on Saturday night.

The crafty Donovan is tied for the league lead in goals with eight, while the legendary Beckham is also contributing and ranks second in the circuit in assists with seven. The Galaxy are also in the process of expanding its lead in the overall league standings, with 36 points on nine wins, only two losses, and nine draws through 20 matches. They are, however, only slender points ahead of FC Dallas (10-4-4) in the Western Conference standings, as we take a quick look at Saturday’s MLS slate of action.

FC Dallas at Real Salt Lake (Saturday, 9:00 pm)

Balanced scoring, plus breakout star Brek Shea with eight strikes as well for FC Dallas, has powered them back to the top tier of the league. Real Salt Lake (7-3-6) ranks fourth in the West and will be looking to move up at home.

Chicago at Los Angeles (Saturday, 10:30 pm)

The stingy Fire (2-4-12) ran their unbeaten streak to eight games with a 2-0 victory over the Columbus Crew last weekend. Unfortunately for the Fire, the Galaxy ran its own unbeaten streak to 11 games with a scoreless draw at home to Seattle on Monday night.

Philadelphia at San Jose (Saturday, 10:30 pm)

The Union (7-4-6) are coming off a 2-2 tie against D.C. United last week on a late goal by Carlos Ruiz. The Earthquakes (5-5-6) turned a similar trick with a 2-2 draw at home against New York on Saturday.

Get all your MLS betting lines at Bodog Sportsbook.

It was not just one of the most epic endings to a soccer match in recent history, it was one of the greatest endings to any sporting event anywhere in the world when Team USA pulled off a stunning penalty-kicks victory over Brazil in the World Cup quarterfinals. Now the Americans have to put that incredible result behind them and focus on the task at hand: Beating France in the semifinals on Wednesday morning (U.S. time) in Germany. The U.S. is a -120 favorite on Bodog’s soccer odds.

With Brazil and the host Germans out, the Americans are now heavy favorites to win the World Cup, but there’s an obvious change of a letdown on Wednesday. Abby Wambach’s stunning goal in the 122nd minute vs. Brazil, with the USA down to 10 players, was the latest goal in Women’s World Cup history. And then keeper Hope Solo was able to defect one Brazil penalty kick to lead to the win with the Americans hitting all five of their penalty kicks. The U.S. is the top-ranked team in the world and has won the World Cup twice, the inaugural edition in 1991 and again in 1999. The Americans are also the reigning and three-time Olympic champions.

Despite never before reaching the semifinals of the tournament, the French have fast, creative and combative players who can do some damage. In its only previous tournament, France was knocked out in the first round. The French beat England on penalty kicks in the quarters. They have scored eight goals so far in this tournament, with seven of the eight coming in the second half of matches. Forwards Marie-Laure Delie and Gaetane Thiney have two goals apiece.

The winner of this match plays the Sweden-Japan winner on Sunday for the title.

Get the best World Cup props at Bodog Sportsbook!