SPAIN VS HONDURAS STARTING LINEUPS AND LAST MINUTE ODDS
We're just a short time away from kick-off in today's final match and it looks like a match with some potential. I think the main focus coming in is how well the Spanish will recover from their disappointing loss against the Swiss. They are still in pole position to progress though and many think it may just be an unfortunate blip.
The starting lineups are as follows:
Spain: 1-Iker Casillas; 15-Sergio Ramos, 3-Gerard Pique, 5-Carles Puyol, 11-Joan Capdevila; 22-Jesus Navas, 14-Xabi Alonso, 8-Xavi, 16-Sergio Busquets; 9-Fernando Torres, 7-David Villa.
Honduras: 18-Noel Valladares; 23-Sergio Mendoza, 2-Osman Chavez, 3-Maynor Figueroa, 21-Emilio Izaguirre; 19-Danilo Turcios, 8-Wilson Palacios, 20-Amado Guevara, 13-Roger Espinoza; 15-Walter Martinez; 11-David Suazo.
Spain are massive favourites for this one with popular bookmaker Stanjames.com offering up a 1.14 price on the Spanish side. Honduras are priced at a lengthy 23.0 and the draw can be backed at 8.5. That's a lengthy price on anything but Spain, but I honestly don't know how Honduras can stack up against this midfield.
I think the only real chance for Honduras would be to sneak a quick goal early on in the match and then switch to the long ball while keeping two flat banks of four in front of the keeper. Honduras has some talented players and if some of them really step up here then it could be a more interesting story than most observers would assume.
A 2-0 result is the favoured correct score and you'll find that priced at 5.5 with Stan James. A 3-0 victory is sitting at 6.0 and that sounds pretty reasonable. A 1-0 win pays 7.0 whle a 4-0 result is in the 9.0 neighbourhood.
Honduras 1-0 pays 29.0 while a 2-1 result is sitting at 51.0.
The handicap price on Spain is (-2.0) at a 2.1 price while Honduras (+2.0) is priced at 2.75. That's worth a bet if you think they can keep it close.
The bookmakers favour goals and over 2.5 goals is sitting at 1.53 while the under is at 2.38.
David Villa is well-priced to score anytime at 1.73 while Fernando Torres is at 1.91. Carlos Pavon and David Suazo are both trading at 5.5 prices.
With Torres and Villa both starting the match, I think we could see a real bagful of goals today if Honduras don't show up with their game-faces on.