I WOULDN'T normally back a side who'd just suffered a 7-1 bruising – and Germany admitted taking it easy in the second half – but I reckon Brazil will restore a bit of pride in Saturday night's third-place play-off against Holland.
It's the game no one wants but Dutch boss Louis van Gaal has been the most vocal about this waste of space match. Both teams would have loved to have sloped off into the horizon after shattering semi-final defeats but instead they're back in the limelight playing a game of little importance.
Brazil were abject against Germany but still have home advantage and will want to show fans the 7-1 loss was a one-off aberration and of course skipper Thiago Silva returns from suspension to keep the likes of Marcelo and David Luiz in check if the so-called defenders keep their places.
I warned before the semi-final Silva would be a bigger loss than Neymar but there was no excuse for the way the likes of £50m men Luiz and Marcelo didn't defend.
While I reckon Brazil want this more it might be better to wait until teams are announced as there's bound to be many changes with the Dutch especially set to play some second-string players. And of course if Fred makes the line-up it's a no bet (seriously). That bald bloke from Right Said Fred looks a better striker.
Brazil are a biggest 6-5 at Betfred and others to win in 90 minutes with the Dutch 23-10 at bet365. No one wants extra time and it's worth noting only one of 16 third-place ties has been a 90-minute stalemate.
There will be no playing for a 0-0 this time so take a gamble on over 2.5 goals just in case Brazil's backline fails to show again. The last nine World Cup third-place play-offs have totalled three goals or more.
Both teams to score at 8-15 with bet365 is also likely but I'd want to see the teams first as the likes of Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie could be rested while Neymar is of course still out.
It was Oscar who grabbed the late Brazilian consolation v Germany and the Chelsea man is worth a look at 11-1 with bet365 and McBookie if he starts. Oscar is one of the few Brazilians who still looks like he can play a bit.
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar could get a runout for the Dutch and is 7-1 with McBookie, Paddy Power and others but for sure I'd wait to see teams before betting on this market.
Recommended Bets
Brazil
(6-5, Betfred)
Over 2.5 goals
(3-5, bet365)
Oscar to score first
(11-1, various)
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Brazil usually get corners and will want to put on a show where as Holland usually don’t get that many.
Brazil most corners 8/13
Brazil -1 Evens
Brazil RT7 8/5 all @Bet365
Longshot
Brazil 10+ corners 9/1 @ Skybet (Brazil RT9 only 15/4 @Bet365 but more than double the odds for 1 more corner)
Cheer craig, got 50 on -1 corner. good call. Got the skybet free bet 25 offer and use their money for the 10 corners plus. Hope corner bonanza first half for brazil. Love when defender put out for double corners.
Be waiting lennons appology on rangers handing back cheated titles after proven innocent by HMRC. lol
Holland at over 2/1 ?? I’m sorry mr f but after Brazils last match iv simply got to back holland :)
holland5-1
very hard to bet on a game which no one really cares about… thinking maybe another 0-0 for the dutch
Scrap that, just read your post haha, might take a germany dutch double in 90mins, good price at over 7/1
Scrap that, just read your post haha, might take a germany dutch double in 90mins, good price at over 7/1
Mr F, who do you fancy for player of the tournament?
I think Kroos has been quality and is priced at 16/1, but i suppose it comes down to what happens tomorrow
Luckboxmason, could be Neuer or Muller – unlikely to be Kroos. If Argentina win it will almost certainly go to Messi.
Arrrr, at what point is player of the tournament decided? I seem to recall votes being cast before the end of the fina- (France v Italy) in 2006. Zidane got the award, but he was sent off and Italy won, and apparently it was thought that had votes come in later, Cannavaro would have won.
The list of 10 nominees has now been made. Messi, Mascherano, Di Maria (all Arg), Muller, Kroos, Hummels, Lahm (all Ger), Neymar, Robben, Rodriguez.
If I may be so bold, I thinks you could narrow that down further. Rodriguez is definitely a contender. Despite going out in the quarter finals he scored 6 (scoring in every appearance) and also got 2 assists.
Muller is probably the standout German pick, having scored 5 and having 3 assists. Kroos and Hummels have been very good but I don’t see them getting the acclaim Muller has.
Robben was the standout dutch player, but they’ve failed to score in their last 2. He was also at the centre of the diving controversy so I don’t see him getting it.
Neymar deserves to be on the list after his early contribution, but won’t win it.
Lastly there’s the Argentinians. No idea why Di Maria be on that list, Maria Von Trapp would match some of his performances. Messi hasn’t scored since the group stages as Argentina have toiled. Regardless of whether or not Argentina win the event his performances haven’t lived up to the expectations. For me Mascherano has been Argentina’s best player, and is a huge reason why they have managed to get 4 clean sheets in the tournament. However defensive minded players don’t get the same degree of praise the forward players do and I think he’ll be overlooked.
So from that, Steve be of the opinion that Rodriguez or Muller be most likely to win the award. Rodriguez would be the vote of this scurvy dog, but we will see.
Steve the Pirate, all player awards decided after the final. Here’s the shortlist.
Golden Ball – Angel Di Maria, Javier Mascherano, Lionel Messi, Mats Hummels, Toni Kroos, Phillip Lahm, Thomas Muller, James Rodriguez, Neymar and Arjen Robben.
Golden Glove – Keylor Navas, Manuel Neuer, Sergio Romero.
Young Player – Memphis Depay, Paul Pogba, Raphael Varane.
Gary no bother hope it pays off, I’ve went for -1.0 asian handicap at 1.85 instead -1 to be on safe side but got £30 spread on these with main bet on Brazil most corners. Too hard to call the winner after Brazils last game and Silva back plus if Holland will be up for it. Double corner inside 10 mins will be a great start :)
Holland – Brazil 0-0
Germany to lift the cup
25/1 Betfair
Holland to finish 3rd. 11/8 Betfair.
It’s a 50/50 game so I’m going with value. We knew Brazil were emotionally fragile before the Germany game so I’m not sure what kind of mindset they’ll have for this game. Can see a draw after 90 and then E/T and pens is a lottery, hence why 11/8 suits me at low stakes.
Where is Shaun Tanner? It is the MLS tonight
Yup hard to call but craigs -1 corner at evens seems good value. Be loving it if Robbin does not play as he can grab a few cutting in, if on his game ?
Be even better if holland score first, gives and interest if cant decide Holland/Brazil.
Home crowd does if for me
Brazil 3-1 oscar first/last goal 110/1.
Messi/Muller, Neuer & Depay
BRAZIL VS HOLLAND TIPS
I’ve already gone for Luiz First Goal @ 33/1 and Luiz anytime @ 11/1. Those prices are well gone so hope some of you got on at the bigger price. One market I’m looking at with great interest is players to be booked. Everyone knows how difficult it is to choose first player to be booked but there’s some real value in the player to be shown a card market. First up is Huntelaar, he’s picked up 2 yellow cards in the 3 games he has been involved in. Against Costa Rica he came on in the 106th minute and was booken in the 111th minute (5 mins later). Against Argentina he came on in the 96th minute and was booked in the 105th minute (9 mins later). With Huntelaar expected to start he represents excellent value at a stand out price of 13/2 with VC to be shown a card. Next best price is 3/1 with Ladbrokes going as short as 12/5.
Secondly we have Thiago Silva. He’s picked up 2 yellow cards in the 5 games he’s been involved in. Skybet have this one wrong and he’s massively overpriced at 17/2 to be shown a card. Next best price available is 5/2 and he’s a short as 2/1 with VC.
Recommended Bets:
Huntelaar to be shown a card @ 13/2 VC
Thiago Silva to be shown a card @ 17/2 Skybet
Good luck everyone
20:08
Brazil starting XI: Julio Cesar, Thiago Silva (c), David Luiz, Paulinho, Oscar, Maxwell, Ramires, Luis Gustavo, Willian, Jo, Maicon.
Netherlands starting XI: Cillessen, Vlaar, De Vrij, Martins Indi, Blind, Van Persie (c), Sneijder, Robben, Kuyt, Clasie, Wijnaldum.
gary, just back. Cheers for putting up line-ups. On the first card I’m disappointed with the prices which are much shorter than the semis and for a game that means little. Martins Indi will be my main bet at 10-1 with McBookie after he won for me last time at 12-1. Also looking at smaller stakes on bigger prices – 25-1 Wijnaldum and 33-1 Kuyt. But it will be probably be a 10-1 shot that wins it such as Martins Indi, David Luiz or Ron Vlaar.
2 strong line ups
Rick, surprised by lack of changes from the Dutch and now less confident on Brazil. Let’s see how it goes.
1 min 45 secs BOOM!!!!!!!!!
Thiago Silva to be booked @ 17/2 WIN
I have no idea why maicon or jo get anywhere near this brazilian team
Rick, actually thought Maicon had a good half but didn’t even know Jo was playing. Maicon next goal 60-1 – go on I dare you!
NICE ON THE BOOKING CHRIS GUY, ONLY JUST READING THE POST!!!! Well done
Cheers craig, brazil never won world cup or game but corners easy. yes