worldcuptrophy

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)

World Cup 2022 Coverage

Avatar of Mr Fixit

Mr Fixit

5773 articles

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.

32 Comments
  1. Avatar of craigyboy
    craigyboy 10 years ago

    I would have fancied Germany even if Neymar and Silva were playing.
    Argentina are the only team the can potentially stop Germany IMO.

  2. Avatar of Centrecircle
    Centrecircle 10 years ago

    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

    • Avatar of Mr Fixit
      Mr Fixit 10 years ago

      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.

  3. Avatar of colin
    colin 10 years ago

    No brainer, Germany win 100%

  4. Avatar of jimmybeee
    jimmybeee 10 years ago

    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

  5. Avatar of Ramey
    Ramey 10 years ago

    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

  6. Avatar of Fred
    Fred 10 years ago

    No Neymar and Thiago Silva= Germany win

  7. Avatar of Mattr
    Mattr 10 years ago

    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

  8. Avatar of Rustychest
    Rustychest 10 years ago

    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.

  9. Avatar of Craig Alves
    Craig Alves 10 years ago

    Messi and Muller on 4, Robben RVP both on 3 Matt

  10. Avatar of Jay
    Jay 10 years ago

    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

  11. Avatar of Stephen
    Stephen 10 years ago

    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

  12. Avatar of Rick
    Rick 10 years ago

    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.

  13. Avatar of Stephen
    Stephen 10 years ago

    Lol the crowd might make up the 2 missing players. Still on Germany in 90 mins, 19/10 2 good 2 turn down

  14. Avatar of banks
    banks 10 years ago

    Germans. -1… and -2 . .

  15. Avatar of Rick
    Rick 10 years ago

    With a decent ref combined with a good german team hopefully the crowd shouldn’t matter.

  16. Avatar of Aircon
    Aircon 10 years ago

    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!!

  17. Avatar of johnb
    johnb 10 years ago

    Brazil v Germany

    DANTE to score anytime 20/1 888sport

  18. Avatar of Boco1976
    Boco1976 10 years ago

    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?

  19. Avatar of Luke A
    Luke A 10 years ago

    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?

    • Avatar of Mr Fixit
      Mr Fixit 10 years ago

      Luke A, that’s one for admin to look at.

  20. Avatar of Boco1976
    Boco1976 10 years ago

    Like a turn your phone off and on then try.

  21. Avatar of Mattr
    Mattr 10 years ago

    Thanks for reply earlier Craig

  22. Avatar of jimmybeee
    jimmybeee 10 years ago

    So easy the brazilians finally found out easy money roll on happy days

  23. Avatar of Ramey
    Ramey 10 years ago

    Thats the 1.5 fhg up. 3.5 might not be long at this rate

  24. Avatar of Ramey
    Ramey 10 years ago

    Lol theres 3. 1 more no danger

  25. Avatar of banks
    banks 10 years ago

    Boom…..boom….

  26. Avatar of Ramey
    Ramey 10 years ago

    Omg thats the 3.5 Over 10.5 lol

  27. Avatar of jimmybeee
    jimmybeee 10 years ago

    This is going to 7 heaven for germany at least lol

  28. Avatar of Ritchie
    Ritchie 10 years ago

    MrF-Full house,up to your old bookie bashing tricks!! Cheers.Early walk for the dug!

  29. Avatar of Rick
    Rick 10 years ago

    Bg

  30. Avatar of Duncan Poundcake
    Duncan Poundcake 10 years ago

    Ahhhh 7-1 a fine scoreline

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