WE'VE now seen all 32 teams in action at Brazil 2014 and it's been a case of the good, bad and the ugly.
European teams have been the best performers and there's every chance of a first win on South American soil with Germany and Holland the most likely of the top guns.
Brazil and Argentina will have something to say about that but neither have hit the heights yet.
Having watched just about every game I'm updating my thoughts about the winner, finalists and top scorer. And I'm offering a £10 free bet with Ladbrokes to anyone who can name the finalists today. This contest closes before the Holland v Australia match at 5pm.
Simply post your choice of finalists as a comment at the end of this article and quote Ladbrokes odds. I'll check the thread after the semi-finals and one correct entry will be picked out at random.
At the start of the tournament I said the winner would come from Brazil, Argentina or Germany so for now it's the Germans for me having put money on Argentina but not the hosts.
My top scorer was a choice between Neymar and Lionel Messi and both are off the mark but I'd love to be on Thomas Muller and Robin van Persie and fancy antepost prices.
So who have been the good (or great), the bad (or okay) and the ugly (or just rubbish) so far. At the moment I'd say the winner will come from the good teams but not Costa Rica, Mexico or England so that leaves four Europeans plus Colombia who could be the dark horses.
Good – Mexico, Holland, Colombia, Costa Rica, Italy, England, France, Germany.
Bad – Brazil, Croatia, Chile, Australia, Ivory Coast, Japan, Switzerland, Argentina, Bosnia-Herz, USA, Belgium, Algeria.
Ugly – Cameroon, Spain, Greece, Uruguay, Ecuador, Honduras, Iran, Nigeria, Portugal, Ghana, Russia, South Korea.
So comment here with your finalists and if you like tell me who your top eight teams have been so far.
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
A repeat of the 74 w.c final
Germany V Holland 14/1 ladbrokes
Already backed this morning
Good luck
Johnny J, that’s a decent shout – the South Americans would love it.
top 8
1. Germany
2. Holland
3. Mexico
4. France
5. Columbia
6. Costa Rica
7. Switzerland
8. Italy
Germany Argentina 7/1 @Ladbrokes
Germany v Argentina. Ladbrokes 7/1
I’ll stick with my original thought and go
Argentina v Germany @ 7/1 Ladbrokes
France-Germany
40/1 @ Ladbrokes
Argentina v France French looking like a team again
fogot price :-) 25/1 @Ladbrokes
IRAN v HONDURAS 1,000,000,000/1 Ladbrokes
Germany v Argentina
Germany V Italy 22/1
Germany v Argentina 7/1 @ Ladbrokes.
Top teams have been Germany Holland France Colombia Mexico Italy & Switzerland. I think Chile will come good tonight!
HOLLAND V GERMANY @ 14/1 :)
Argentina v Germany 7/1 @ Ladbrokes
Argentina v Holland 40/1 @ ladbrokes
Belgium v Germany 25/1
England v Germany @ 100/1
Brazil v Argentina 7/1 Ladbrokes
Brazil vs holland @ ladbrokes
Argentina v Brazil 7/1 Ladbrokes
Argentina v Brazil 7/1 Ladbrokes
France holland 50/1 Ladbrokes
BRAZIL V ITALY 25/1 LADBROKES
Brazil- Argentina pays a skimpy 7/1 @ Ladbrokes
Argentina v Germany 7/1 @ ladbrokes
Germany v Argentina Ladbrokes
Holland vs Germany 14/1 @ Ladbrokes
Argentina v chile 50/1 ladbrokes
Argentina v Germany odds 7/1
Germany v Holland 14/1
Brazil Argentina 7/1
Hi All, with the way things have progressed to date, I reckon its inconceivable to dream of Brazil in the final given that team is not firing with all cylinders. Its only Neymar and Oscar who seem to perform above their highest potential in order to get the results. Given all that I reckon the two big elephants in the room will be Germany and Holland. Holland was edged out from laying their fingers on the cup in 2010. now time has arrived for them to showcase that they deserve it. My humble apologies if my observations have hurt anyone from South America whom I initially tipped to win it.
Gogo, it’s similar to what I said earlier. If I had to pick a final now it would be Holland-Germany.
Yes, you are absolutely right. However, I was only another dimension to your views given that people perceive them same differently. Come on Germany vs Holland finally……..!!!!
Sorry Mrfixit, my post should as “Yes, you are absolutely right. However, I was only adding another dimension to your views given that people perceive them same differently. Come on Germany vs Holland finally……..!!!!
Argentina vs Spain 25/1
Yes, only if Spain can miraculously survive the Chilean onslaught tonight.
Germany v Italy – 22/1 @ Ladbrokes
Germany, Holland, Mexico, Italy, France, Bosnia, England and Costa Rica
How have England been good they got beat 2-1 and there is a fair chance they will be oot the morra nite.Belguim aint bad for me lumped on them at h/t .Plus they were playing a team not interested in winning the game.Italy/Germany final for me.
alva, we may be Scots and it hurts to say it but England played well, as well as I’ve seen them play in a while. Still have defensive issues and the Rooney problem but they were decent. But that’s just my opinion.
Mr.F. of course but the Rooney prob is easily sorted just play him right behind Surridge and drop Wellbck who never kicked a ball for Man.U most of the season.A point I would like to make is Ronaldo has yet to score in WC finals.So maybe a bit harsh on the ROON.
alva, that’s what will happen in an unchanged England team.
Italy V Germany 22/1 @ ladbrokes
Chriz, sorry too late.
I know the competition has closed not to fussed with that just wanted to agree with those who put Germany v Argentina final
France – Germany @40/1Ladbrokes
Germany v Argentina. Ladbrokes 7/1
Borgetti18, the final prediction contest is closed.