International
2007-12-09 - Etoile Sportive vs Pachuca
A Sports Betting Pick by Romerz
FIFA Club World Cup 2007
9 December 2007 – 07.45 GMT
Tokyo National Stadium, Japan
The 1st of the quarterfinals to be played sees Etoile (Tunisia) representing Africa taking on Pachuca (Mexico) representing North and Central America. To give us an idea of the 2 team’s relative strength, let us look at their respective countries’ FIFA ranking which is 47 and 15 in the world.
Etoile Sportive (TUN)
Currently the leading team in the Tunisian league with P10 W7 D 2 L1 F17 A5, Etoile won the right to represent Africa by winning the CAF Champions League 2007, after upsetting more illustrious Egypt’s Al Ahly 3-1 on aggregate in the final.
For 2007, Etoile has played 36 matches in all competitions and winning 22, drawing 10 and losing 4 of these matches. Most notable of which is the 3-1 victory over Al Ahly in Cairo on 9 November.
Amongst Etoile’s players is 19 year old striker Mohamed Amine Chermiti, who is said to have caught the attention of many European Clubs and could well be playing for one of them by June 2008. He is described as lively, an expert dribbler, extremely fast and willing to fight for the ball.
Pachuca (MEX)
Winner of Mexico’s Primera Division in 2006/07, Pachuca is now languishing in 9th place in the 18-team league with statistics of P17 W7 D3 L7 F26 A23.
It has been said that Pachuca’s dip in form is attributed to the loss of Colombian defender Aquivaldo Mosquera to Spanish side Sevilla. Since 16 September, Pachuca has played 14 matches in all competitions and only winning 3, drawing 3 and losing 8. In Pachuca’s last 7 matches, they won 1, drew 2 and lost 4.
Pachuca’s most recent game was a 2-4 loss in a friendly against Japan’s JEF United Chiba who finished 13 of 18 in the recently concluded J-League.
Pachuca qualified for this tournament way back on 25 April when they beat fellow Mexican’s Chivas of Guadalajara 7-6 on penalties after being held 2-2 on aggregate in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
The Analysis
Whilst I recognize that there is a difference between the 2 countries’ leagues, you can’t ignore the fact that Etoile is on a run of good form and Pachuca is a team in poor form since September.
Assuming that the Mexican and Japanese leagues are of about the same standard, then the loss to JEF United P34 W12 D6 L16 F51 A56, is quite telling.
Both teams are taking part in this tournament for the 1st time so experience on a big stage should not be a factor here.
Bet365 has quoted this market as Etoile 7.00, Draw 3.80 and Pachuca 1.44 and whilst Pachuca is considered the favorite, I think an upset here is very possible.
BEST BETTING TIP :
5/10 units bet on Etoile or Draw (1x) @ 2.50and 1/10 units bet on Etoile to win @ 7.00
(both bets at Bet365).
