brazil

Manager: Dunga Captain: Lucio FIFA World Ranking: 1 World Cup Appearances: 18 World Cup Winner – 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002

Brazil Article

Brazil Team Profile

No World Cup would be the same without a bit of samba and it’s a pleasure to say that Brazil will play an integral part in South Africa’s 2010 World Cup thanks to them steam rolling their way through qualification, becoming the first of the five South American countries participating in South Africa to make the cut. Now that the Samba specialists are in town, Brazilians back home in South America will fancy their chances of winning what would be their SIXTH World Cup – Stretching their record of World Cup wins further. Moreover, the Brazilians maintained their trend of qualifying for the finals, with Brazil about to participate in their 19th World Cup, while Brazil have never failed to qualify for a World Cup – A feat no other country can boast. Former Brazil great and 1994 World Cup winner as a player, Dunga is the man the hopes of the nation rest upon as he takes a Brazil squad blessed with extraordinary talent to South Africa aiming to make is six World Cup’s. Dunga has already guided Brazil to the FIFA Confederations Cup last year and he’ll aim to complete a quick fire double by claiming the World Cup on South African, becoming the first country to win the prestigious tournament on African soil in the process, adding that to their many other records and personal achievements. The Brazilians have an impeccable record in World Cup’s and will undoubtedly rate their chances of success very high once more as they boast one of the stronger teams in the competition. In the 18 World Cup’s they’ve participated in, Brazil have bowed out before the knock-out stage on just three occasions, while they’ve played in 7 finals (Winning 5 and losing 2) and have made the semi-final or better ten times. Led by a former Brazil player, Brazil will of course be sporting the colours of their famous bright yellow jerseys.

Manager

With success comes great responsibility and the pressure of the nation will land upon the shoulders of Dunga, who has come under his fair share of criticism in his time as national manager. Dunga has tried to transform the Brazilians into a complete package rather then being solely an all-out attacking force. For years Brazil have been a force to be reckoned with in the final third but their defence has generally been their achilles heel. Despite Dunga’s best efforts though, the Brazil defence is still shaky and vulnerable, but it’s in a better shape than never before some believe. Dunga was of course a former Brazilian international and was capped no less than 91 times for his country, scoring 9 goals along the way. He has got his hands on the trophy he wants to lift as the Brazil coach as a  Brazil player when he guided Brazil to the World Cup back in 1994 as captain, and although he has added the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup to his managerial CV as Brazil manager, he will be desperate to get his hands on another World Cup only this time as the Brazil coach; and with a wide array of attacking flair and technically gifted players at his disposal, he should go close to achieving his managerial dream. Dunga only needs the World Cup to complete an historic treble as manager of Brazil. In 2007 he led Brazil to the Copa America, 2009 seen him win the FIFA Confederations Cup so victory in South Africa would see his name enter into the history books with an unprecedented treble of international honours.

Brazil Key Players

Kaka The second most expensive player in the history of the game second only to his Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka is undoubtedly the puppet master in the Brazil team, often seen picking the ball up from deep and charging into the heart of the opposing defence. An array of neat swivels and tricks, a blistering turn of foot and a deadly precise finish make Kaka one of the dangerous men alive purely from a football perspective. Kaka has the ability to single handily drive Brazil towards the victory line, while dashing the opponents hopes and dreams in the same instance. He’s a player which can break a nations hearts but could be the man to spearhead Brazil to their record sixth World Cup. Luis Fabiano The Seville forward is the man put solely in charge of obtaining the vast majority of Brazil’s goals in South Africa, while his 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Boot bodes well for his chances of completing a quick-fire Golden Boot double in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Fabiano, however, is a late bloomer at 29 years-old and has only made 36 appearances for his country but has one of the leanest goalscoring records around at international level, averaging more than a goal every other game after scoring 25 times for Brazil. He’s also scored twice against Argentina in qualifying, as well as scoring 9 goals in qualifying overall, thus proving that Fabiano doesn’t just score on a regular basis, he also scores in the big games and against the big teams.

Strengths

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that Brazil’s most effective inventory is their attacking prowess. They have so many quality forwards that it puts other country’s to shame. Robinho & Kaka will be a handful for any defence while Luis Fabiano has been prolific in front of goal for Brazil. Dunga’s side will look to open up opposing defences with their lightening fast breakaways and you’ll often see Brazil scoring on the counter as their pace of attack is frightening.

Weaknesses

By far and away Brazil’s biggest and arguably very obvious flaw is their defence. Despite having some highly trained and experienced stalwarts at the back, Brazil still haven’t mastered the art of defending. Lucio and Juan will form a centre-back partnership which doesn’t fill us with any great deal of confidence, as for all Lucio’s battling qualities, we don’t rate him as much of a defender as he’s clumsy and dirty. However, their main problem is with their full-backs. Every Brazil team has had world-class full-backs who bomb forward and aid the wingers with support and deliverieis into the boxes. This has proven very useful from an attacking point-of-view down the years but it leaves the Brazilians handicapped at the back , vulnerable against teams who specialise in counter-attacking football. Both Maicon and Dani Alves get forward very well, while their distribution is generally very good, but they’re rubbish at defending and even worse at tackling. It’s certainly an area in the team which other teams will look to exploit.

Brazil Qualification for the World Cup

Sector: South America Current Position: 1st Win-Draw-Lose: 9-7-2 Goals Scored: 33 Goals Conceded: 11

World Cup potential: 5/5

We would look stupid were we to claim the Brazilians, the most prolific and consistent nation in world football, had no chance of winning the prize in South Africa, so we haven’t. Spain maybe the bookies favourites to win outright but Brazil get our vote ahead of the Spanish. Arguably the best attacking force out of all the 32 teams competing in South Africa, it would be a massive shock were Brazil not to at least make the Semi-Finals. They are, however, one part of this years ‘Group of Death’ alongside the African Elephants, Ivory Coast and the Portuguese. You would fancy Brazil’s chances against both of those, and two authoritative displays against the pair of them would see Brazil’s price to win the competition outright plummet. We aren’t necessarily saying Brazil are stunning value, as at odds of around 5/1 they aren’t. However, Brazil are extremely reliable and consistent and for your money they’ll take you a long way, deep into the tournament. They are far from unbeatable though, as the USA so nearly proved at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup when taking a 2-0 lead into HT. Even so, it will take a colossal performance from one of the elite nations competing at the tournament to see off the classy Brazilians.

Brazil World Cup Betting Odds

Brazil to win the World Cup:         5/2 – Bet365 Before the World Cup the odds on Brazil were 5/1

Official Brazil World Cup Squad

Goalkeepers Julio Cesar (Inter Milan) Doni (AS Roma) Gomes (Tottenham Hotspur) Defenders Maicon (Inter Milan) Dani Alves (FC Barcelona) Michel Bastos (Olympique Lyon) Gilberto (Cruzeiro Belo Horizonte) Lucio (Inter Mailand) Juan (AS Roma) Luisao (Benfica Lisbon) Thiago Silva (AC Milan) Midfielders Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos Athens) Felipe Melo (Juventus) Ramires (Benfica Lissabon) Elano (Galatasaray Istanbul) Kaka (Real Madrid) Julio Baptista (AS Roma) Kleberson (Flamengo Rio de Janeiro) Josué (VfL Wolfsburg) Strikers Robinho (FC Santos) Luis Fabiano (FC Sevilla) Nilmar (FC Villarreal) Grafite (VfL Wolfsburg) last update: 18 June 2010

World Cup 2010 Brazil Fixtures – Group G

28/06 – 19.30 – Round of the last 16: Brazil – Chile: 3-0 02/07 – 15.00 – Quarter Finals: Brazil – Holland

World Cup Group G - Table

World Cup Fixtures and Results World Cup Group of Brazil

Friday 2nd July was the most exciting day of the World Cup so far, with the first two quarter final matches being played at Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg respectively. While neither games were classic encounters, both contained plenty of drama and saw the eventual victors come from behind to triumph and set up an intriguing contest in Cape Town next Tuesday.

During their last eight match against Brazil, the Netherlands were available at around 30/1 on betfair’s outright market, with nothing to suggest that this team were going to overcome a 1-0 deficit at half-time. Bert van Marwijk’s team had seemed short of ideas and the Selecao had spurned several chances to double their advantage. However, a spirited second half comeback from the Dutch means they are now the 9/4 favourites (Paddy Power) to win their first ever World Cup.

Holland could have been backed at 7/2 with Blue Square to win their match with Brazil and they were certainly helped by the opposition shooting themselves in the foot. Goalkeeper Julio Cesar made an uncharacteristic mistake to allow the opposition to equalise and the south Americans seemed to crumble shortly afterwards.

It was noticeable on the outright market that, as soon as Bert van Marwijk’s team took the lead, the odds on Spain winning their first ever World Cup began to contract. Vicente Del Bosque’s team had been around 3/1 before the Netherlands v Brazil game, although William Hill actually make them the 2/1 favourites even before they have played their quarter final match against Paraguay (and knowing that they will have to beat Germany or Argentina to make the final).

This shortening of Spanish odds is partly because it was felt that Brazil might have the players to nullify La Furia Roja if the two teams met in the final, although the removal of Dunga’s men makes Spain arguably the best side remaining in the 2010 World Cup. However, it’s interesting to note that the odds on Argentina (4/1 Sporting Bet) and Germany (6/1 Sky Bet) have barely changed in contrast.

As for Uruguay, they must have been ready to pack their suitcases after a Luis Suarez handball in the last minute of extra-time against Ghana seemed certain to help the Black Stars become the first African team to progress beyond the quarter final stage of the World Cup. However, Asamoah Gyan’s missed penalty allowed La Celeste to go through on spot kicks themselves and it will be great news for the shrewd punters who backed them at 25/1 shortly after Oscar Tabarez’s team beat Mexico to be sure of top spot in Group A.

The draw has been kind to the south American team who are now as short as 8/1 (Paddy Power) to win their first World Cup for sixty years, although Boylesports are a bit bigger with their 12/1 quote that Uruguay go all the way. They will be missing Suarez for the match in Cape Town, although the pressure will be off them as underdogs.

Argentina

Argentina have kept their discpline in these finals, having received just five cautions after four games. Jonas Gutierrez has two but has already served a suspension, but Javier Mascherano and Gabriel Heinze are two players which could pick up another yellow against Germany on Friday and would then miss the semi-final against either Spain or Paraguay.

Brazil

Dunga has his work cut out with injuries, as Elano is ruled out of Friday’s encounter with Holland while Felipe Melo and Julio Baptista are major doubts. A highly likely replacement for Melo would have been Benfica’s Ramires, but his second yellow card of the tournament against Chile in the previous round means he will serve out a one-game suspension. Kaka, Luis Fabiano and Juan are all one caution away from missing the semi-final against either Uruguay or Ghana.

Germany

It has been well documented that Bastian Schweinsteiger and Mesut Ozil have been nursing injuries, or knocks, but both are likely to start after playing pivotals roles in dismantling England in the previous round. However, Cacau has been ruled out entirely from featuing against Argentina on Friday, while Lukas Podolski missed some training in the lead up to the big game although is expected to start nonetheless. There are, though, a host of key players on the verge of missing the semi-final, should Germany qualify, through suspension; Per Mertesacker, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mesut Ozil, Thomas Muller, Philip Lahm and Arne Friedrich.

Ghana

Jonathan Mensah leaves coach Rajevac with a defensive void to fill, as the centre-half serves out a one-game suspension, as does Andre Ayew. It is, however, the news that Kevin-Prince Boateng, who opened the scoring against the United States in a 2-1 Round of 16 victory, is a massive doubt to feature against Uruguay on Friday, while three-goal forward Asamoah Gyan is recovering from an ankle injury sustained in that USA win. The latter is, however, expected to be fit in time for Friday’s showdown. Anthony Annan, Prince Tagoe, Isaac Vorsah and Lee Addy are one yellow card away from a suspension.

Holland

To the sheer delight of the Dutch contingency over in South Africa, Arjen Robben has seemingly found a new bill of health and after starting against Slovakia in the previous round, scoring the opener as well, Robben is set to start his second game in succession against Brazil. He remains Van Mariwjk’s only injury concern, while no player will serve out a suspension, although a whole host are one caution away from doing so; Stekelenberg, Van Der Wiel, Van Bronckhorst, Kuyt, Nigel de Jong, Robin Van Persie, Van der Vaart and Boulahrouz.

Paraguay

We haven’t been made aware of any injury setbacks, so coach Gerado Martino should have a full squad of 23 fit players to choose from, which is just as well considering their next assignment is against the current European champions, Spain. Their star man, Roque Santa Cruz, is a card away from missing a potential semi-final, as are Enrique Vera and Cristian Riveros.

Spain

Coach Vicente Del Bosque doesn’t appear to have any apparent absentee’s, although there are several carrying knocks or nursing minor injuries; Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Fernando Torres three of note. Xabi Alonso is the only player to receive a caution for Spain in the whole tournament so far, so only a red card would stop any of Spain’s stars from participating in the semi-final.

Uruguay

Nicolas Lideiro has already served a one-game suspension, but other than that manager Oscar Tabarez has little to worry his cotton socks over ahead of a daunting last-eight clash against the team the whole of Africa will be supporting in Ghana. Diego Lugano, Jorge Fucile and Mauricio Victorino are just a yellow card away from missing a tasty last-four encounter against either Brazil or Holland.

While we have done our utmost to notify everyone of any suspensions and injuries, we cannot guarantee that every piece of suspension/injury news will be reported. We will, however, update when and if we hear any news whenever necessary.

Holland V Brazil Preview

Kick-off: Friday, 2nd July – 15:00 GMT
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
World Cup Quarter-Final

Holland

The Dutch have won every World Cup encounter up till now but will be hard-pressed to retain their flawless run at these finals when they face the five-time winners Brazil in Port Elizabeth on Friday in a match which promises to be a thriller. It’s true that Bert Van Mariwjk’s Holland haven’t yet turned on the style since arriving in South Africa a little over two weeks ago, neither have they broken a sweat in reaching the last-eight, so there should be a lot more to come from Oranje but have they left it too late?

Because of the way they dismantled both Hungary and Ghana directly before the finals, winning 6-1 and 4-1 respectively, Holland were all the rage in the outright market pre-tournament, storming into contention from around 16/1 all the way down to 8/1. A lot was expected from them, especially in a weak looking Group E, so to see them just one of their four matches up till this stage by more than a one goal margin does seem both a surprise and a tad bemusing. You could argue that Holland haven’t spent as much energy as some of the other nations still plugging along, which you maybe right, but by the same token it could be said that nerves have restricted the Dutch in these finals, as their usual free-flowing, sexy football hasn’t been present in South Africa. Whether or nor that’s a direct result of Van Mariwjk looking to fortify a well-known weak area of the Holland system – Defence – remains to be seen.

Fortunately Bert Van Marwijk won’t be weighed down with any injury concerns, nor will he be bogged down by selection dilemmas caused by suspensions, so it’s full steam ahead for Holland. Robin Van Persie has found the goal just once in four starts but is likely to lead the line once again, although the return of Arjen Robben out on the right-wing should provide the Arsenal supremo with more scoring opportunities, as Robben is undoubtedly in the form of his life at present and will once again be in his menacing mood down the flank, cutting inside whenever possible to have a cheeky pop at goal. The wide areas could prove key for Holland, with Kuyt on the left and Robben on the right complimented by the craftsmanship of Wesley Sneijder in the centre. All three have the ability to either create or score chances, but fans will be hoping they won’t be reliant on the goals scored by their play-makers and instead hope their lone striker, Robin Van Persie, will find his scoring boots on Friday.

Brazil

The ‘Samba Kings’ will be aiming to complete a hat-trick over Holland as they bid to make more progress in search of an unprecedented sixth FIFA World Cup title. Brazil have won the previous two meetings with Oranje when it comes to World Cup clashes, but there’s little doubt the Dutch will provide the newly consigned tournament favourites with their biggest challenge yet against a team not too dissimilar to themselves in that of Holland.

Three wins (Ivory Coast, North Korea and Chile) and a draw (Portugal) were enough to see Brazil sneak in front of Spain in the outright market, with Brazil mow a general 3.50 to win the 2010 FIFA World Cup. They certainly haven’t been their captivating selves but they have been efficient and workmanlike, with Dunga instilling some combative qualities into Selecao. Some corners claim Brazil play with more caution, no longer a team with flair and flamboyant traits, but when you’re winning and playing in the manner in which Brazil currently are, which is basically winning games at a cantor without any hint whatsoever of a mishap, then whose to argue that Dunga’s revamp has been a huge success. From an English viewpoint, we would kill to have a change in fortune like that, not that Brazil were in any which way on the decline.

Dunga has had to repel a heap load of stinging criticism during his time as Brazil coach, aiming to win the World Cup as both a manager and a player, but the former 1994 winner has risen above all the low-blow comments to guide Brazil into the last-eight of a competition they are hotly tipped to go on and claim. However, on Friday, Dunga will need to make some of the big decisions since taking up the helm. His camp has already been rocked by the news that Elano is out of the Holland clash with a shin injury, while a crucial part of the Brazil cog, Felipe Melo, may also miss this Dutch date. Furthermore, a likely replacement for Melo would have been Ramires but his second caution of the tournament against Chile means he will serve out a one-game suspension. It leaves Dunga pondering over whether to opt for Kleberson or the untested Josue in the heart of the Brazil midfield alongside the consistent Gilberto Silva. Either way, it’s a midfield partnership which hasn’t had a lot of time to blossom nor gel.

Brazil have been clinical and efficient so far, a far cry from when they won the 2002 finals in Asia, not overexerting themselves in progressing into the quarter-finals for a fourteenth occasion. And with injuries limiting Dunga’s options ahead of this clash, Brazil may well need their workmanlike and combative qualities against an opponent which will put them through their paces. They will also need their goal-getter, Luis Fabiano, to be in a hungry mood as well as the old Kaka turning up for a change. Basically, Brazil need their stars to shine, as while the South Americans may be favourites there is absolutely no room for let up or complacency.

Match Odds:

Holland – 4.50 Bet365
Draw – 3.40 Coral
Brazil – 1.95 totesport

Our Betting Tip: Holland to WIN – 4.50 Bet365

We predicted Holland would win the 2010 FIFA World Cup right at the very beginning, so we would be foolish to oppose them now. If anything, we’ve been impressed with the Dutch despite Van Marwijk’s men not playing the delightful football displayed during pre-World Cup preparation. They haven’t expended a great deal of energy while a tidy defence has been the basis for a successful tournament thus far, so there’s plenty to be optimistic about as Holland have shown promise. We await to see whether that promise can be fulfilled by a country which does have a terrible knack of disappointing in the defining games, but there has been a more consistent feel to this Dutch side that previously hasn’t been evident, and with half-a-dozen match winners likely to line up on Friday in their biggest game of the competition so far, we have every faith that they’ll not only push Brazil all the way but claim their scalp.

Recommended Bet: Robin Van Persie FGS – 9.00 Coral

Current Holland v Brazil Odds:

On Friday 11th June, South Africa and Mexico got the 2010 World Cup under way, although they and twenty-two other teams have bitten the dust as we now enter the business end of the competition. We have waved goodbye to England, France and Italy along the way and now have eight sides battling it out to be kings of the planet.

Interestingly, the USA are the only group winner not to be involved in the quarter finals, with Ghana’s passage meaning that Group D still has two representatives in the competition. The Black Stars are bidding to become the first African team to win the World Cup and the draw has been relatively kind to them. Friday night’s match against Uruguay will have Milovan Rajevac dreaming of glory and you can get 40/1 (William Hill) about them making history.

However, it’s probably fair to say that just five teams can now win the 2010 World Cup and it’s Brazil who currently head the market at odds of 5/2 (Sporting Bet). The Selecao sit in the easier half of the draw (they would play Uruguay or Ghana in the semis) and have barely put a foot wrong since beating North Korea in the opening match. Manager Dunga has assembled an excellent defence and the team were devastating on the counter-attack against Chile in the last sixteen.

Hot on their heels in the outright market is Spain at odds of 3/1 (Ladbrokes). The competition is much richer for the presence of Vicente Del Bosque’s team, who have given supporters and backers plenty of nervous moments already in this tournament. La Furia Roja are clearly the best passing team in the World Cup, although the defence has a fragility which has already seen Switzerland beat them in the group stages.

The next two teams in the betting will meet each other in Saturday afternoon’s quarter final and it’s hard to split Argentina and Germany for this Cape Town clash. Diego Maradona’s team are 9/2 (William Hill) to land the spoils twenty-four years after the manager did so as a player, although many think that this Albiceleste defence hasn’t yet been tested and the Germans might be the team to do so. Even so, it’s hard to argue with the attacking prowess of Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain, with Angel Di Maria providing plenty of inspiration from midfield.

Germany are available at odds of 15/2 (Sky Bet) to win the World Cup for the first time since becoming a unified nation but they will have to do things the hard way! Having disposed of England in the last sixteen stage, they now face Argentina before potential matches against Spain and then Brazil! It’s an incredible task facing Joachim Loew’s young team, although they are looking fearless and perhaps Die Mannschaft will benefit from having youth on its side.

Holland are the fifth team who have a chance of winning the competition, although the Netherlands have been something of an enigma. Sporting Bet offer 15/2 that Bert van Marwijk’s team win the 2010 World Cup, although this team haven’t really lived up to their billing and will need to show improvement against Brazil or they will go out.

We’re now down to the quarter final stage of the 2010 World Cup as teams get down to the serious business of winning the 19th renewal of this illustrious competition. Seven countries have been victorious since the inaugural tournament was held in 1930 and four of them are still standing in South Africa, with England, France and Italy no more.

The question is – will we see a new name on the trophy? Or will Brazil, Argentina, Germany or Uruguay continue to keep the World Cup winner’s club to an exclusive band of teams? The bookies offer 4/7 (Paddy Power) that the old guard are triumphant, while you can get odds of 13/8 (Sporting Bet) that we see a new winner – Spain being the most likely to achieve this.

Meanwhile, you can also bet on which continent will provide the winner of the 2010 World Cup. At the start of the tournament, Europe were the overwhelming favourite, although that was before France and Italy decided to implode at the group stage! Ladbrokes now make South America the odds-on favourite (8/13), with Europe on offer at 11/10 and Africa the rank outsider at 33/1 (Blue Square).

Several bookmakers have also resurrected their ‘Name the Finalists’ market now that we’re down to eight teams. Brazil appear to feature in the easy half of the draw, so it’s no surprise to see the Selecao included in many short-priced combinations. Many people’s idea of a dream final is Brazil v Spain and that’s the slight favourite at odds of 3/1 (Sky Bet). However, if you think it will be an all-South American final for the first time since 1950 (!), Brazil squaring off against Argentina is on offer at 9/2 (Paddy Power).

The Dutch will surely have a gameplan to try and overcome their Brazilian opponents in the quarter final and victory would leave them well placed to reach the final for the first time since 1978. They lost to Argentina that year and the bookies make the prospect of the two teams playing each other a 9/1 chance (Paddy Power).

There’s also an interesting competition to see which team can score the most World Cup goals during this tournament. In case you haven’t been counting (!), Argentina and Germany both have nine goals and Brazil have managed eight. It looks to be a three-horse race and it’s the latter who are the 11/10 favourites on betfair, especially as the other two teams play each other.

Although Spain are unlikely to win that particular market, it’s Vicente Del Bosque’s team that are favourites to be Top European Team. Few people would have expected just three sides from this continent to remain at the quarter final stage, although the Spanish are 4/6 (bet365) to land the spoils, compared to the 3/1 (Paddy Power) on offer about Germany and the 7/2 (bet365) that it’s the Netherlands who are top European dogs.

After finishing second in Group C, the England squad knew they had to do things the hard way to reach the World Cup final, although the same applies to Germany even though Die Mannschaft finished top of Group D. Victory over the Three Lions on Sunday was comfortable enough, although they now face Argentina on Saturday afternoon before a potential semi final against Spain and final against Brazil or Holland!

It means that Germany are still 7/1 (Sporting Bet) to win the 2010 World Cup, although this young team certainly have the potential to go all the way. While they are without captain Michael Ballack for this tournament, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sami Khedira have stepped up to the mark and midfielder Mesut Ozil has been a revelation in a free role behind the strikers.

The main concern would probably be in defence, with Schalke’s Manuel Neuer inexperienced between the sticks, while the same applies to the 21-year-old Jerome Boateng in central defence. However, Phillip Lahm and Arne Friedrich are excellent full-backs, with the former regularly getting forward in this World Cup to support the team’s attacking players.

It was something of a surprise to see them as outsiders to beat England and the bookmakers are happy to take on Klose, Podolski and Co when they meet Argentina at Greenpoint Stadium. Ladbrokes offer 5/2 that we see another German victory in ninety minutes, although La Albiceleste have not been convincing in defence either.

Meanwhile, Argentina are now no bigger than 7/2 (bet365) to win the 2010 World Cup following their 3-1 win over Mexico. There was an element of fortune about the way the team took the lead after Carlos Tevez’s offside goal was allowed to stand, although they are certainly an attacking force who have racked up nine goals so far.

Uruguay have been the biggest market movers on the outright betting since beating Mexico to finish top of Group A last Tuesday. Paddy Power originally installed them as 25/1 to go all the way, although the way that the draw has worked out in addition to their 2-1 win over South Korea now means that La Celeste are 12/1 (Ladbrokes) to win the World Cup for the third occasion.

Despite also making the quarter finals, Ghana are given less chance of glory by the bookmakers. The Black Stars are now just three games away from becoming the first African team to win the World Cup, although firms are still regarding this as a remote possibility and Sporting Bet offer 33/1 that Milovan Rajevac steers them to success. Then again, they will regard a quarter final match against Uruguay as winnable and don’t forget that this team reached the final of the African Nations Cup in January.

Bet365 continue to run with their World Cup penalty payback promotion, where you will get your stake refunded if the team you have backed on the outright loses on spot kicks. With Germany beating Argentina on penalties in the 2006 World Cup, it’s worth considering!

Brazil v Chile Betting Odds

Brazil to win: 4/7 at Victor Chandler
Draw: 3/1 at SkyBet
Chile to win: 6/1at SkyBet

To Qualify
Brazil: 1/5 at Totesport
Chile: 4/1 at Boylesports

Brazil

Brazil failed to score in a group match for the first time since 1978 as they closed out Group G as winners. They ran out a 0-0 draw with Portugal, in a match which the Portuguese basically did enough, and that was it. Games like this will come and go at the World Cup group stage, this is because the Portuguese knew that a draw would be enough to see them through, so rightly they would set their stall out not to lose as opposed for pressing for the win. Brazil look different in style of play, but just as proficient and full of quality as they have been in the past. Coach Dunga has set up the national side well, as they continue forward looking to remain the only team to win the World Cup outside of their own continent. Their next encounter at South Africa 2010 is against familiar South American team, Chile. The two sides last met at the World Cup in 1998, when Brazil ran out 4-1 winners in the last sixteen. Brazil also had the drop over Chile during South American qualification, as the Brazil beat them 3-0 in Santiago, and then 4-2 back in Brazil. This will mean that Brazil really will have nothing much to fear from the Chileans, who finished one point behind the five time World Champions in qualification. With all of the South American teams going so well at the tournament so far, this is a heavyweight clash between two of the best.

Brazil will welcome back both Kaka and Elano who were missing from the line up against Portugal. Now Brazil can simply look forward, as they will be expecting to meet Holland in the quarter finals in a mouth watering match. But first the need to keep their heads composed as they take on Chile in a match in which they will start as favourites. Brazil have looked untroubled through their three group matches, even though they themselves played out something of a cautious match against Portuguese, with nothing really at stake. Still, they could not be beaten and now just four matches stand between them and regaining the World Cup title. As expected, Brazil have not been as expansive as teams from the past, but that is a deliberate change made by coach Dunga as he fulcrums the team around defensive midfielder Gilberto Silva, who has the highest passing completion rate in the tournament so far. Brazil are very solid in the middle of the park, and the way they keep the ball from the opposition is still to be admired. Just because they set up in a more defensive manner than before, it does not mean that they are any weaker going forward than they are expected to be. Their passing and their movement off the ball, is still better than most teams in the World, they are simply a little more selective about their choices. They really do not have, and certainly have not shown any weaknesses at all. Brazil have a lot of strength in their full backs getting forward, thanks to the holding players in midfield, and that should push Chile back. It is what gives them an extra dimension, and a confident Brazil, which they are looking, will be a tough prospect to beat.

Chile

There is a certain enigma about Chile at the World Cup this year. They came in a hotly tipped dark horses, and qualified as expected with Spain from their group. While they have been one of the more entertaining teams to watch because of their positive approach to the game, they have not quite hit their full potential. While they won their opening two matches against Honduras and Switzerland, they really could have been more clinical and ruthless in their approach. They have also been the most ill disciplined team at the World Cup, and that was their downfall in their critical final group match against Spain. After having a player sent off and falling behind in the match, Chile fell apart after looking the stronger of the two teams at the start. If they can hold their composure and stick to what they do best, in passing the ball around at speed, and taking bold chances in getting forward, they should be able to give Brazil a match. However, they will know their foes well after being completely over ran by them twice during South American qualification, so do they have the tools to upset the record books, and the World Cup betting odds at the same time?

To Chile’s credit, they clawed their way back into the match against Spain, albeit with a deflected shot. But they showed a willingness to fight for each other, and if they had kept 11 men on the pitch, it could have been a much more interesting game. They will know that they are only in the second round thanks to Switzerland’s inability to score a goal against Honduras, which spared Chile’s blushes. Now, the question is, can coach Marcelo Bielsa pick his men up to take on the mighty Brazil. They will go into the match as underdogs, but one thing about Bielsa, is that he is not afraid of making decisions, he is not afraid of changing personnel and tactics to adapt to the situation. The loss against Spain, and the manner in which it came about, will have been highly disappointing to the coach. Not having a great record against Brazil either, losing their only two encounter in World Cup history, which includes the semi final in ‘62, will mean that Chile will have to chase the game a lot. There was enough from the team to suggest that they can cause problems, but what they have produced so far, does not look quite enough to take down Brazil. Saying that, Chile are a more balanced side than they have ever been. If they are bold in their plans, they are one of the teams best suited to take on Brazil, because they will match them for attacking pace and are one of the few teams which could press the Brazilians back.

Brazil v Chile Betting Tip: Both teams to score 5/4 at Bet365

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