Spain again

 

Spain v Italy
Confederations Cup Semi Final
TIME: 8pm, BBC3

SPAIN v BRAZIL FINAL ?

Pacific Heights ran well to take third in the Carlisle Bell yesterday to give us a small profit on the recommended each-way bet.

Back to the football tonight and the second Confederations Cup semi-final between Spain and Italy for the right to play Brazil in the final.

As we can seen from the head to head records, Spain most definitely have the edge in recent encounters.

01 Jul 2012 European Championship, Spain 4:0 Italy
10 Jun 2012 European Championship, Spain 1:1 Italy
22 Jun 2008 European Championship, Spain 0:0 a.e.t. 4:2 PSO Italy
26 Mar 2008 Friendly, Spain 1:0 Italy
28 Apr 2004 Friendly, Italy 1:1 Spain
29 Mar 2000 Friendly, Spain 2:0 Italy
18 Nov 1998 Friendly, Italy 2:2 Spain
09 Jul 1994 World Cup, Italy 2:1 Spain
14 Jun 1988 European Championship, Italy 1:0 Spain
12 Jun 1980 European Championship, Spain 0:0 Italy

It’s hard to see anything other than a win for Spain tonight and it’s no surprise to see them at short odds on Star Sports.

Italy have been dealt a body blow of injury worries which include Mario Balotelli missing the game with Ignazio Abate and Andrea Pirlo likely absentees.

It’s a predictable prediction but Spain and over 2.5 goals look the likely bets.

STAR FORECAST
(stake between 0.5 and 10 points)
8 points win SPAIN to beat Italy (inside 90 minutes)
5 points over 2.5 goals Spain v Italy

(+2 points Wednesday)

SLIP SIDING AWAY

We remain very hopeful about Andy Murray. And after the biggest day of shocks in the history of Wimbledon – who can blame us ?

The All England Club has denied suggestions that the Wimbledon courts are too slippery, on a day when seven players withdrew with injuries.

Maria Sharapova fell three times and asked for a medical timeout during her straight-set loss to world number 131 Michelle Larcher De Brito.

Victoria Azarenka pulled out before her match with Flavia Pennetta because of a knee injury sustained during a slip in her first round clash.

Richard Lewis, chief executive of the All England Club, said the lawns were “as they should be” and rejected suggestions that the court surface was to blame for the injuries.

“We have no reason to think this is the case. Indeed, many players have complimented us on the very good condition of the courts,” he said in a statement.

“The court preparation has been to exactly the same meticulous standard as in previous years and it is well known that grass surfaces tend to be more lush at the start of an event.”