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Germany might have won easily yesterday, but odds set at close to 3 at Iceland's win home against this Germany simply makes no sense. Germany are playing the role of the favorite as if they were France, Croatia, or Denmark, which is clearly not the case. Iceland reshuffled the team quite a lot yesterday, trying to test all difference formations, which in turn, affected the score. That will only serve them as extra motivation in the second game. They will try their best today since they don't want to lose home again. I even think they the favorites to some extent. Germany could be reshuffling today, but even it they don't, this won't be a cruise toward the win like yesterday. I don't think they will win convincingly, this margin covers a defeat by small number of goals and I think ti has great value. Details

When it comes to Karlovic, this is a bet to go with. Those kind of bets are successful most of the time, especially when he's playing opponents like Rosol. The Czech is aggressive and that's all he has. Karlovic is not good against opponents' services but things are quite straightforward with him. I expect both of them to win their service games easily. The stats from their two head-to-head games only support it. Karlovic won both, but three out of four sets ended in tie-breaks. Only one player won a single break in 35 games. Both two first sets ended as tie-breaks. Details

First head-to-head match these teams played in the season ended at 54 goals despite having been played under strange circumstances. Both teams had much more important games to play the very next day, which forced them to rest the key players as much as possible. Savenhof's best players spend some 15 minutes in the game, and even that was enough for 20 goals at half time. Savenhof's top players will spend at least half as much time in the game today, which should result in some 40 goals more. Spar should be able to score 15 or 20 points. We need to point out that the game ended at 54 goals despite the fact neither teams were very efficient. Both hit 10 points, 13 shots weren't even on target, and the game ended with a total of only 1 seven-meter throw. Savenhof's goal keepers had 18 saves, 35 technical errors were made. Now that both teams have only this match to focus on, I expect better numbers and over at this margin. They went over even in a less productive game and I think that makes this a very good option. Details

Duan isn't a WTA material. She was trying for the last two seasons, but that's all it was, attempts. I'm sure we'll soon be seeing her on the ITF level in her country where she'll get a certain number of wins/points, or the weaker WTA tournaments. Duan lost to Pliskova sisters last season, got six, and four games. She got four games against Karolina, a player many see as Kvitova's successor. Duan was easily defeated by all the serious players she faced last year, and lost the semifinals and the finals of the ITF level in the second part of the season, with four games won against players who are far below Kvitova's level. Kvitova has big announcements for this season, she worked hard, and especially pointed out her work on the fitness segments. The Shenzhen court should definitely suit her, it's fast and suits her serve and her hits. Duan lost to players less aggressive than Kvitova last season, so what can she expect today? I think we'll see a convincing win by Kvitova, she wants to show right away what she's been practicing before the season started. Duan doesn't have anything to match her, Kvitova will force her to play far away from the base line, and will dictate the rhythm. Kvitova grinds and never stops, and she definitely needs a convincing performance at the very start of the season. Details

Barthel had foot injury problems in the pre-season, and spent a week and a half on rehabilitation. She started real practices of movement and physical condition lately. Even though she sounded optimistic so far, she also added she hopes she'll be ready for the first tournaments. That shows her own doubts, and it's obvious Auckland is only the first court to help her feel the competitive tennis before the Australian Open. Still, her troubles didn't end there. She caught a virus on an airplane and spent two first days in Auckland in bed. Long trip, climate change, time zones and a sickness are never a good script. She's exhausted and it's questionable whether she'll be able to recover on time. On the other side is Ana Konjuh, completely ready, who showed great game last year in Auckland, when she had elbow problems. Konjuh's got everything she needs to win convincingly in this match, and Barthel will make it easier since she's not ready. Details

Not so long ago, Kyrgios and Kokkinakis were told to be the future of not only Australian, but world tennis. Kyrgios already showed his abilities, and the year younger Australian is still flying under the radar. He's got the quality, but lacks the strength. He's got a winner's mentality, and in a year, he'll be a lot more dangerous. I'm convinced. Benneteau got the best ranking of his career mostly thanks to the 630 points won on Series 1000 tournaments. It was a period of two months, but that doesn't change the fact that he's not a player for the favorite's role. He had lots of examples in his career, including the last year. Here in Brisbane, he's got 0-3 ratio in the last three years. He went to the third set every time, and lost each time. Kokkinakis is worth a lot more thank his ranking, and he's rising. The French's 33 years old, with a high ranking, but far from the untouchable. Ideal for a youngster who wants to prove himself at home. Last year, he took Hewitt to the prolonged set. This time, he can do much more, and the faster conditions on this tournament could even allow a handicap in two sets to pass, but I think Kokkinakis will do much more. Details

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Soler has no advantage in this match. She traditionally fares poorly in Australia, especially at the season opening tournament, and the wind in Auckland will make it more difficult for her to play. It's a known fact her serve is based more on spin than power, so it's no wonder her first serve is shaky in Australia. Sloane on the other side just finished a great preparation period. She usually performs at a level above at Grand Slams, but did not under-perform in preparatory tournaments either. She returned to cooperating with her coach from youth, Saviano, a man who was with her when she was a kid and understands her well. However, those reasons are not the main cause for me to pick this. Apart from her feeling better under these conditions, I think motivation is the crucial reason for this bet. While some players are starting the season with no pressure, Stephens must look for a victory in the first round as the points won at Auckland could give her seed status and a much easier draw at the Australian Open. The Spaniard has no chance against the motivated American here and this is a bet one just has to take for a bigger stake. Details