Austria - Norway 3.35 - 4.25 - 1.89
Both of the teams are still sitting the bottom of the group with 0 points and only Italy is behind them. Austria has 3 goals in 4 games, Norway has scored 6. Austria has given away 23 goals, while Norway has given away 25. Vålerenga's forward Tobias Lindström (2+0) leads Norway in points. Philadelphia Flyers forward Michael Raffl (2+0) leads Austria.
Since both of these teams have taken the beating in this tournament, it's hard to predict the winner. Norway is marked as a favorite.This game might be the only chance for both teams to score like never before in this tournament before facing Italy, so I'm expecting goals in this one.
PICKS:
Over 4,5 goals 1.71
Over 5,5 goals 2.48
France - Slovakia 10.00 - 7.00 - 1.21
France has got one point out of 4 games, when they lost to Denmark in OT in their opening game. After that France has lost to USA (7-1), Germany (4-1) and yesterday to Canada (5-2). Slovakia has 3 points for winning their opening game against USA. After opening game the hosts have lost to Finland (2-4), Canada (5-6) and Germany (3-2). To be fair against Canada Slovakia lost with last second goal by Mark Stone and against Germany they lost by giving away 2 goals in last 2 minutes, so with better last minute playing they could have atleast 4 points more.
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Martin Marincin leads Slovakia in points (1+3) followed by Matus Sukel (3+0) and 5 more 3 point men. Damien Fleury leads France in points along with Valentin Claireaux, Anthony Rech and Tim Bozon. All of these Frenchmen have three points each.
Slovakia is scoring little over 3 goals on average and giving away 3,5 goals on average. France is scoring 2 goals on average per game and giving away little over 5 goals a game. I'm counting on Slovakia to reach that 5 goal mark and also giving away goal, maybe even two.
PICKS:
Slovakia over 4,5 goals 2.28
Over 5,5 goals 1.81
Finland - Great Brittain
The most waited thriller in Finnish hockey history is upon us, when Great Brittain plays Finland for the first time ever on WC level. Finland has won 3 out of their 4 games, only losing to USA in overtime. Great Brittain hasn't had the greatest run in this tournament. They have lost all of their games and scored only four in their four games 3 of them coming against USA in their 6-3 loss. This group is tight and Finland still has lots to play for. Brittains coffin is still not sealed and it can still survive relegation, but it requires a lot of luck.
After scoring one and assisting another Kaapo Kakko (6+1) leads Finland in points, followed by Sakari Manninen who has 6 points (1+5). Mike Hammond (2+0) is best point scorer for GB.
Finland has played a lot of low scoring games. They are scoring 3 goals per game on average and giving away little less than 2. Great Brittain is scoring 1 goal per game on average and they are giving away 6,5. I personally don't believe in huge slaughter here. Maybe Finland to win by 5 or 6.
PICK:
Great Brittain +6,5 2.05
Under 7,5 goals 2.02
Czech Republic - Italy
The laughing stock of this tournament has been Italy. In four games Italy has not been able to score even once and they have given away total of 30 goals. Czech Republic have won 3 of their 4 games losing only to Russia 3-0. There is absolutely no doubt of the winner here. After scoring 4 points (2+2) in a game against Latvia yesterday, Jakub Voracek (2+6) leads Czech Republic in points followed by defenseman Filip Hronek (3+4) and Michal Frolik (3+3).
Czechs have been scoring 4,5 goals on average and giving away 2,5. As said earlier Italy has no goals so far and are giving away whopping 7,5 goals per game. Italy will be destroyed once again.
PICKS:
Over 7,5 goals 1.81
Jakub Voracek 3 points or more 2.80
Jakub Vrana 2 points or more 1.85
Michael Frolik 2 points or more 1.75
Other low odds picks to combine for doubling etc.
Patrick Thoresen 1 point or more 1.45
Slovakia over 3,5 goals 1.52
Scores at least 3 points (Harri Pesonen) - NO 1.47
Jakub Voracek will score 1.44
Michael Frolik will score 1.46
Jakub Vrana will score 1.54
Jakub Voracek 2 points or more 1.60
