Beware the Manaus Factor for Portugal and America

Anyone betting on either of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group G matches in the final batch of round-robin games should be aware of what one is calling the Manaus Factor.

The Arena Amazonia has staged three 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil matches in the opening two rounds of group games. England and Italy locked horns in Manaus on Saturday 14 June, four days before Cameroon and Croatia went head to head in the city. What do England, Italy, Cameroon and Croatia have in common? All four teams experienced defeat in their next 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil game after playing for 90 minutes in the oppressive heat and humidity of Manaus.

One appreciates that four sides is a small sample size but surely prospective backers of Portugal and the United States of America, the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group G teams that played out a 2-2 draw at the Arena Amazonia last time out, have a good reason to rethink their punting plans.

Clearly everything is not well in the Portugal camp. The blame game has begun already, with Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo saying that his side was not sufficiently talented to win the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil. Most people suspected that Ronaldo was not much of a team player but his outburst confirmed it. For Ronaldo to make such public comments when Portugal still has a chance of qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil round of 16 is disgraceful. Ronaldo’s body language in Portugal’s first two 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group G matches has been appalling. And yet Portugal is the favourite for its next assignment against Ghana, a game that both sides have to try and win at the same time as hoping that Germany and the United States of America do not draw.

Ghana is available at odds of 3.10 with several bookmakers, including Betfred, Paddy Power and Totesport, to get the better of 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group G rival Portugal. Those odds are too good to resist. One could see Portugal’s key players, particularly Ronaldo, giving up the ghost if Ghana scores first because the Portuguese need not only a positive result in the Germany-United States of America match but also a thumping victory over the Ghanians. It could all become too much for Portugal if Ghana gets off to a positive start, which may not even include an early goal.

There are only two ways to approach the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group G game between Germany and the United States of America – bet the Germans or do not bet at all. Germany is out to the juicy odds of 1.73 with several bookmakers, including Coral, Sky Bet and Totesport, because of the conspiracy theories surrounding the match. A draw would result in both Germany and the United States of America progressing and, of course, Stars and Stripes boss Jurgen Klinsmann won the 1990 FIFA World Cup Italy with Germany.

The United States of America cannot believe its luck that it has collected four points from its first two 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group G games. Germany is several notches above the United States of America and there is the Manaus Factor to consider as well. Either back Germany or stay out.

Group H of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil concludes with matches between Algeria and Russia and Belgium and South Korea. Belgium is through to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil knockout stage but the Red Devils have not lived up to their billing and, even though South Korea is one of the event’s weakest teams, one is not keen on backing them. A draw is likely to be sufficient for Algeria to get through to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil round of 16 and, therefore, the underrated Fennec Foxes are worth backing at odds of 1.77 with 888sport and Unibet not to lose to a poor Russia side.

Tips Summary

Ghana to beat Portugal
26th June 17:00 GMT
Odds: 3.10
Where to Bet: Betfred, Paddy Power, Totesport

Germany to beat USA
26th June 17:00 GMT
Odds: 1.73
Where to Bet: Coral, Sky Bet, Totesport

Algeria win/draw against Russia
26th June 21:00 GMT
Odds: 1.77
Where to Bet: 888sport, Unibet