2005 Confederations Cup Final Betting Preview

The 2005 Confederation Cup has been a great tournament, not that the public have had much chance to sample the action. Only the Brazilian games, and the two semi-finals have been screened, which is strange considering the lack of other football.

Anyway the final between Brazil and Argentina will be shown live by Channel 5, and it should be a game well worth tuning into. It’s only three weeks ago that the World Champions were soundly beaten 3-1 by their old foes in a WC Qualifier.

Previous to that Brazil had won the home qualifier with a hattrick of Ronaldo penalties, while almost a year ago they defeated Argeninta on penalties in the Copa America. Adriana was the hero on that occasion scoring a last minute equaliser, and the Inter striker scored a double to help beat Germany in the semi-final on Saturday.

The bookies have installed the Brazilians as favourites, despite not having the services of Ronaldo, Carlos and Cafu. That said there is still the highly impressive quartet of quartet of Adriano and Robinho in front of Kaka and Ronaldinho.

Argentina are the outsiders, and rightly so considering they have had one less day to rest, and their semi-final against Mexico went to penalties, and so involved thirty extra minutes gruelling football, all the more so given they had to play a man down.

Investing in the Brazilians at 6/4 is tempting, although what is rather off putting was their group results which featured victory over Greece, defeat against Mexico and a draw with Japan. Hardly a set of results to inspire the greatest confidence.

What does look worth backing is for there to be over 2.5 goals at even money. Not only will there be a wide array of attacking talent going up against not so watertight defences, 64% of the Confederation Cup matches have produced three goals or more.

Furthermore, the last three games between the two South American countries have produced a total of 12 goals. It is also worth noting that this is not a massively important final, so while the teams will natually be somewhat anxious, the tension won’t be quite as great as a World Cup or even Copa America final.