IT'S down to the last four and the World Cup that couldn't stop giving at the start is determined to keep taking away.
First up it's Brazil-Germany tonight followed by Argentina-Holland tomorrow and without wanting to sit on the fence it's clear both games could go either way. A draw double pays 19-2 at Paddy Power and will be popular.
However, I've already stuck my neck out and predicted Germany to reach the Final mainly due to the absence of striker star Neymar and skipper and defensive rock Thiago Silva.
I do so with some confidence but you can't write off Brazil at home. The crowd's been an ordinary teams's extra man – and officials have sometimes been a 13th player – and that's worth remembering. Plenty of people backed Chile to beat them and then Colombia to do the business but neither could handle the occasion even if Chile too the hosts to penalties.
Brazil have lost their favourites' tag for the first time and are ranked behind Germany and Argentina in the outrights. But this World Cup is wide open and you can throw a blanket over the semi-finalists.
Look at Betfred's prices – 12-5 Argentina, 5-2 Brazil, 5-2 Germany and 7-2 Holland. If bookies can't call it how are we as mere mortal punters going to succeeed?
Neymar's injury and skipper Thiago Silva's ban has cooled interest Brazil and Germany have been cut from 11-10 to a best 10-11 (various) to qualify while Joachim Low's men are a best 9-5 with McBookie, BetVictor and Paddy Power to win in 90 minutes.
Brazil are also 9-5 with McBookie, BetVictor and Coral while the draw is 23-10 with Betfred.
I'm loathe to write off Brazil since they're unbeaten at home in 12 years and now 42 matches. But Silva's been their best defender and Neymar provides a spark the likes of Fred and Jo don't possess.
Neymar has made or scored half of Brazil's 10 goals and without him easyodds say Paddy Power are a biggest 9-5 on a German clean sheet. Germany have kept a tournament best four clean sheets and a win to nil pays 16-5 at BetVictor and McBookie.
Germany have won their last three matches by a one-goal margin. Easyodds show best odds of 18-5 at Ladbrokes on a German win by one.
Brazil have conceded exactly once in four of their five matches so far and Germany are 31-20 at BetVictor and McBookie to score exactly once.
The hosts' best hope is to take it to a shootout that pays 5-1 at Betfred. Either side to win on penalties is 10-1.
Brazil have spent more time stopping opponents than dazzling them and like most of the knockout matches this looks an unders affair. Under 2.5 goals is pretty short at 1-2 with Ladbrokes and others while under 1.5 goals is 7-4 at Paddy Power.
Germany's display against France was their best yet and looked more comfortable with Miroslav Klose playing in a proper No.9 role. If Klose starts I'll be on him to take advantage of Silva's suspension by hitting the opener at 13-2 with McBookie.
Thomas Muller is the Germans' top scorer with four and is 7-1 at Ladbrokes to break the deadlock while centre-half Matt Hummells, who hit his second goal of the tournament against France, is 33-1 at McBookie to net first and 16-1 with bet365 at any time.
Without Neymar the man who could threaten most for Brazil is Hulk. He had several attempts against Colombia – some good, some bad – but he can hit them and is 8-1 at McBookie to open the scoring.
Recommended Bets
Germany to qualify
(10-11, various)
Germany to win
(9-5, McBookie, BetVictor, Coral)
Muller to score
(13-5, McBookie, BetVictor)
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I would have fancied Germany even if Neymar and Silva were playing.
Argentina are the only team the can potentially stop Germany IMO.
Mr f-my top tipster-I remember the germany/algeria game and saw how poor the germans were when algeria played high up the pitch and put 3 attackers on the germans defence.their couldnt handle it and algeria should have scored twice in the first half.this is how brazil will play,high up the pitch from the off and put pressure on the team-tactics from scolari will win the day
Centrecircle, no one can say Brazil will win but they might. Already from the comments it’s clear it’s a split decision – could be settled by one moment of magic. one tragic nistake, a refereeing decision, anything. But who knows – I just hope it’s a cracking contest whoever wins. Most firms are now going 9-5 each of two to win in 90 minutes and most go 10-11 on both to qualify. If you back one there’s a good chance of covering inplay.
No brainer, Germany win 100%
Germany all the way ive backed them to win it from the qualifying games then lumped on at 5/1 before the france game.
Brazil just dont have it and without their 2 best players the party is over in 90.mins.
Good luck
With so much riding on this game for both teams i can actually see goals aslong as theres a goal before halftime. Over 3.5 goals sounds crackers but these 2 teams arent the type to go 1-0 down and wait till 80mins to throw kitchen sink. Over 1.5 fhg and 3.5 for me. Heres hopin
No Neymar and Thiago Silva= Germany win
Doesn’t Muller have 4 so far? Hatrick game one and then another in group stages? Not trying to nit pick but have money on him for top goalscorer and top Germany goalscorer
I think we’re all getting fooled by the absence of Neymar and Thiago Silva. The way people and media are measuring the game now it actually takes some pressure off Brazil and I think they’ll be playing their most comfortable game.
Messi and Muller on 4, Robben RVP both on 3 Matt
Brazil have not played any elite side yet but will be boosted by home support. I’m still sticking to my germany. I got them at 6/1 at the start of the tournament although I don’t have much on it. My returns will be 140 pounds
I would love to see holland win it for the sake of my great grandfather and grandfather but feel they will bottle it
Can I just say the stick robbed is getting is abut unfair and maybe why he goes down easily is because he learned his lesson in the 2010 cup final when he should have went down for a pen and puyol would have been sent off and holland would have won the World Cup so that prob plays on his mind
Don’t b fooled that Brazil r without Neymar & Silva, they won’t b turning up wi 9 players. That bein said I’m on Germany bt it’s not a gimmie
If jo and fred play, might aswel be 9, dante is a badden aswel, the times ive seen him in champs league, he doesn’t know wt day it is.
Lol the crowd might make up the 2 missing players. Still on Germany in 90 mins, 19/10 2 good 2 turn down
Germans. -1… and -2 . .
With a decent ref combined with a good german team hopefully the crowd shouldn’t matter.
Evening all. I really fancied Brazil yesterday but my brother just told me he had a dream last night that Germany won 2-1 and then beat the Netherlands in the final 4-3 despite going 0-2 behind!
My bro is usually spot on with his tipping so I’m swaying towards the Germans now!!
Brazil v Germany
DANTE to score anytime 20/1 888sport
Germany 3-1 25/1.
The german team is getting stronger as the tournament goes on and are facing a fading brazillian side that flatter to decieve at times.
I cant see any of these teams being defensive so i expect goals, if brazil go behind will their fans be a 12th man then?
Really fancy Germany quite strongly tonight. 2/1 is a big price to win in 90 mins. And evens is a decent price too for Germany to qualify.
Mr F, i don’t suppose you might know why I can’t comment when away from wifi? When I write a comment, and click publish, it says the comment has been added. But when I refresh, it isn’t there?
Luke A, that’s one for admin to look at.
Like a turn your phone off and on then try.
Thanks for reply earlier Craig
So easy the brazilians finally found out easy money roll on happy days
Thats the 1.5 fhg up. 3.5 might not be long at this rate
Lol theres 3. 1 more no danger
Boom…..boom….
Omg thats the 3.5 Over 10.5 lol
This is going to 7 heaven for germany at least lol
MrF-Full house,up to your old bookie bashing tricks!! Cheers.Early walk for the dug!
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Ahhhh 7-1 a fine scoreline