There's a classic episode of The Simpsons where the family watches a football match that "will determine once and for all which is the greatest nation on earth - Mexico or Portugal!"
Well, think of this as being along similar lines - Stuff v NZ Herald, to determine once andfor all, or, at least for this year's World Cup, the greatest punter.
In Stuff's corner, boxing hobo @boxcarfred - former ball-playing libero for the Tamatea High School 1st XI. For the Herald, goal-poaching mercenary @shollow1. It's attack versus defence, cosmopolitan Auckland v cowtown Hamilton, fading youth and tight hamstrings v fading memory and bad back.
The combatants have $30 each to spend among nine picks - none the same; greatest return wins. Being the gentleman of this duel, I allowed Holloway to pick first, and the dastardly cad took two that I'd posted earlier this week.
5 on Brazil to win @3.75 3 on Messi to win golden boot @9.00 2 on Lukaku to win golden boot @25.00 4 on Chile to qualify to knockout stage @1.85 3 on England to beat Italy @2.90 5 on Argentina to make semi-finals @1.95 3 on Spain to be eliminated at last 16 @3.50 4 on Colombia to win Group C @1.67 1 on Fred to win golden boot @20.00
Ian Anderson's picks:
4 on Portugal to make the semifinal @6 3 on Netherlands to make the semifinal @6 2 on Portugal to win Group G @3.50 7 on Russia to win Group H @3 2 on Spain to be eliminated in the group stage @5.25 4 on Belgium to be eliminated in the last 16 @2.35 6 on Group G most goals @5.50 1 on Hulk to win golden boot @40 1 on Goetze to win golden boot @65
