South Korea and Japan lead handicap World Cup accumulator
Published:Following on from the success of our South American and African inspired five-fold accumulators, we’ve got a series of selections inspired by all things Asia and Oceania.
Featuring handicap wins for Australia, Japan, Iran and South Korea, with the 2002 semi-finalists included twice to ensure you make an outsiders bet you won’t want to write off at odds of just over 12/1.
Best of all, under this latest offer, should one of the five fail to deliver, then your stake will be refunded as a free bet.
Currently winless in three, little is expected of an inexperienced Socceroos team at this World Cup, though with Arturo Vidal set to miss out for Chile, there is hope that the scoreline can at least remain respectable against the South Americans.
In fairness, Australia have yet to lose by more than one goal under new manager Ange Postecoglu, while Chile have won just one of their last three games by more than a single goal. With Tim Cahill on board, anything can happen.
The Ivorians may be favourites for victory, but given their status as big game bottlers, it could be wise to back Japan to either win or draw against an ageing Elephants team led by the 36-year-old Didier Drogba.
Japan looked impressive against Italy at the Confederations Cup and go into this game off the back of five straight wins. With Ivory Coast picking up just a single victory from their last four, this play-it-safe selection looks a good bet.
Nigeria’s status as African Cup of Nations winners should not deceive you into thinking this is the same kind of Super Eagles team that starred in 1994 and 1998. Very much a work in progress, Stephen Keshi’s team are winless in four, having failed to score in half of those fixtures.
Iran will see this as their best hope of picking up points and, having lost just one of their last 12, should not be underestimated with a team founded on solid defensive principles. Back them to avoid defeat.
Russia may still be having nightmares about their Euro 2012 capitulation at the hands of Greece, meaning it may be worthwhile to back South Korea to pick something up from this game.
The Koreans will have fond memories of playing Greece themselves, having beaten the European side 2-0 in a recent friendly and with the Russians dropping points against Northern Ireland and Azerbaijan in qualifying, stranger things have happened.
Arguably the best bet involving an Asian team at the tournament, South Korea will know that victory over Algeria will be crucial if they are to match their last-16 showing at the 2010 World Cup.
The North African nation were lucky to edge out Burkina Faso in qualifying, with Majid Bougherra scoring a crucial winner, having already committed what should have been a red card offence. Their luck should run out against South Korea.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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