Reigning World Cup champ Italy faced New Zealand on Sunday in a match where they were seriously favored at the sportsbook.

It was an early start on Sunday for this match that was broadcast on ESPN. Italy was getting a goal and a half to New Zealand in World Cup gambling probabilities.

World Cup gambling probabilities at the sportsbooks on the 3-way line list Italy at -500, New Zealand at +1300 and the Draw at +1300. The total on the match was 2.5 under.

Both Italy and New Zealand started World Cup play with ties so the victor of this match would likely be in very good condition to advance. Italy had to play without their leading goalkeeper as Gianluigi Buffon is out as a result of injury. He was substituted for in Italy’s 1-1 tie with Paraguay and it was learned he has a herniated disc in his back. It looked as though Italy should be in trouble without their primary goalkeeper, but it was also as feasible that it was a quality thing. Federico Marchetti is the backup and he may be a more effective answer for Italy. He has been terrific for Cagliari in Series A the past 2 seasons. Buffon is deemed a world class goalkeeper but he didn’t perform that well this year for Juventus as he was in and out of the roster due to injury. Buffon is the starter for Italy because of his popularity and past play not because of what he has done this season. The Italians may in fact be better off with Marchetti as goalkeeper.

Winston Reid gave New Zealand a goal in stoppage time that allowed them to get a draw against Slovakia. It looked not likely they would find a way to score against Italy and they may have easily permitted 2 or three goals. Italy is not as robust as they were 4 years ago however New Zealand is not a quality team and they were lucky to get a tie against Slovakia vs the World Cup gambling probabilities.

So when New Zealand in fact held reigning champs Italy to a tie on Sunday, it was viewed as a huge upset. The final score, 1-1, means that New Zealand only needs a win against Paraguay on Thursday in order to progress to the round of 16.

New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert has declared that the roster for the New Zealand team is going to stay the same as it was in their match against Italy. All things considered, Italy is one of the faves to win the World Cup, and if the team worked well against them, chances are they will work well against Paraguay as well. Herbert has applauded his team for their awesome strength.

A year ago was the only time that New Zealand and Italy have met previously, and Italy won that match 4-3. Italy has lost only one of their previous 21 matches against non-European teams and New Zealand didn’t seem to have the capacity to endanger the Italians in this Sunday game.


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