Ala Hann Sport picks

Summer has finally arrived with sports betting offering plenty of new and old events to satisfy all types of fans. Baseball moves through the second wave of interleague play and nearer to the halfway point of the year, and with the NBA and NHL at the end, it is time to consider NFL betting as training camp looms. However, for a majority of fans, the next month will be occupied by watching the biggest sporting competition around the globe as the World Cup is showcased in South Africa. And with all the exciting action, there is 2010 World Cup betting to bed had in exciting and often unexpected play.

The second set of group matches gets underway this week as Group A opponents Mexico and France face each other at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. Both teams drew in their opening matches, and the four group A teams are all tied with a sole point, offering all teams a chance to advance in a very evenly matched contingent. Mexico tied a passionate South Africa team 1-1 in front of a raucous crowd in what was the very first World Cup final match played in the Africa continent.  Under the circumstances, El Tri were content with the point though they were favourite.  The historic circumstances, the altitude, and the opening match jitteries were all powerful influences, and rightly so.

France, on the other hand, were unimpressive in their opening match, a scoreless draw against Uruguay.  Moreover, they struggled in their recent friendlies, losing 1-0 to China a week and a half ago, and drawing Tunisia in late May.  Both teams did not qualify for the World Cup finals. Still yet, France struggled to themselves qualify for the tournament, edging the Republic of Ireland in a playoff amid great controversy. A missed hand ball by Thierry Henry led to a decisive goal by France that pushed them into the finals. Appropriate outrage ensued, but the play and the game were not reversed.

Those who expect France to do well cite their impressive runner up performance in Germany in 2006.  They lost to Italy on penalties, and many feel they should carry over the successes to 2010. However they appear sluggish and disorderly, and have been criticized by 2006 star Zinedane Zidane.

In their opening match, Nicolas Lodeiro of Uruguay earned two yellow cards, and was sent off in the 81^st minute.  France, however, failed to capitalize on the man advantage.

Betting line: France is favorite by a fair amount in a line that seems crafted more so by past performance and name recognition rather than by talent and current play. There is no reason to expect the French have gotten things together, while Mexico has played well  throughout qualifying and friendlies. Despite the historical dominance by France, Mexico has an opportunity to snatch first place in Group A, and will do so behind captain Gerardo Torrado and the lone El Tri goal scorer of game one, Rafael Marquez. Mexico is better organized, and better coached, and will earn an upset victory in South Africa this week.

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