germany

Uruguay V Holland – Tuesday, 6th July (19:30 GMT)

Suspension and injuries have plagued the Uruguay camp ahead of the nation’s biggest sporting event for decades, as Luis Suarez and Jorge Fucile are both ruled out of the Holland contest while Diego Godin and Diego Lugano are both doubts. They still have their heartbreak kid, Diego Forlan, who continues to break hearts with his sublime goals. The Atletico Madrid schemer scored twice against South Africa and a scorching free-kick against Ghana in the last round, and with the majority of the African support now heading Holland’s way, could he once again be Africa’s nemesis? We don’t see it if we’re entirely honest, and with this depleted Uruguay team going face-to-face with Brazil’s conquerors, we see only one winner.

GET ON Holland, who have won just one of their five games by more than a one goal margin, to make haste of this nervy semi-final situation and beat Uruguay by 3 Goals or More. SkyBet will generously hand out odds of 6/1 on this scenario, while Holland to Score 3 or More goals in 90 minutes can be had at 7/2 (same firm). See the latter as an insurance bet in case Uruguay, Forlan notably, squeezes in a goal for the South Americans.

Germany V Spain – Wednesday, 7th July (19:30 GMT)

In one corner we have the irrepressible and unstoppable Germans, in the other the not so prolific but more clinical Spanish. With Germany in their current form and finding goals so easy to come by, many are expecting another goal rush. We don’t see that happening, as the Spanish will enjoy far more of the ball than any of Germany’s knock-out victims have done while their defence, one which has been a tad suspect in these finals, has conceded just two goals of which one was very scrappy and the other took a wicked deflection.

WE SAY have a nibble at the 8/1 readily available on the 0-0 (Correct Score) being offered by Bet365, SkyBet and SportingBet. There’s no way Joachim Low will tell his German troopers to go out all guns blazing as that will play right into Spain’s hands. A more cautious approach from the Germans here, while Spain have struggled to break every side bar Honduras down in these finals, although worryingly they have tended to find a way through in the end. Spain are 7/1 with 888Sport to win their third successive game 1-0, but the 0-0 has far more appeal. It’s 1.70 (7/10) there’s no more than 2 goals in this match (bWIn).

It doesn’t take a genius to work out that a player will score more goals during a football tournament if he plays more games. Therefore, it’s little surprise that only five men can win the 2010 World Cup Golden Shoe and that the quintet are all playing for teams left in the competition.

It’s been a highly competitive betting market this summer which saw Gonzalo Higuain installed as early favourite after a hat-trick against South Korea took the Argentina striker well clear of the chasing pack. However, the Real Madrid forward was only able to add one more goal to his tally and was leapfrogged by a Spanish striker in the form of his life on Saturday night.

David Villa has been nothing short of phenomenal in South Africa, with the Barcelona forward scoring in every match since that opening game defeat against Switzerland. His late winner against Paraguay has taken him a goal clear at the top of the scoring charts and he may not need to find the net again to add a world award to the European one that was landed two years ago. The 28-year-old is no bigger than 7/10 on betfair, with the fixed-odds firms no bigger than 8/15 (Sporting Bet).

Perhaps Villa will struggle to get any change out of Philipp Lahm, the German right-back and captain who is one of the best in the business. The Bayern Munich player will be looking to also get forward and support his club team-mate Miroslav Klose, who seems to turn from Clark Kent to Superman when he dons the international colours. Four years ago, the Munchen forward won the Golden Shoe and he’s 4/1 (Paddy Power) to repeat this achievement. If you back him at 4/1 and he dead heats with one other player, you will get half your stake paid at odds of 2/1.

Meanwhile Wesley Sneijder is right in the thick of things after FIFA made the odd decision to award Holland’s opening goal against Brazil to the Inter midfielder. Although the ball took a clear deflection off the head of Felipe Melo, the football body’s Technical Study Group has decided that the Netherlands’ number ten is worthy of the goal and that means he’s on four for the tournament with Uruguay lying in wait. Totesport offer a stand-out 12/1 that he finishes top of the pile and it’s possible that his team will fill their boots against the south Americans.

The final player in contention  is Diego Forlan, who stands on three goals after firing a brace home against South Africa and then managing an equaliser against Ghana on Friday night. The Atletico Madrid striker has been crucial to the team’s progress at this World Cup, although it’s asking a lot for him to manage a brace against the Netherlands, especially with strike partner Luis Suarez missing suspended. Ladbrokes offer 25/1 that the former Manchester United forward gets the goals he needs.

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 V Germany Preview

Kick-off: Saturday, 3rd July – 15:00 GMT
Venue: Green Point Stadium, Cape Town
World Cup Quarter-Final

Argentina

The exciting prospect of facing their fierce South Americans rivals, Brazil, is still on the cards but Argentina must first tame one of the competition’s most consistent nations in that of Germany, who will be aiming to make their 12th semi-final in the history of the competition which is in stark contrast to the Argentine’s who would make just their fifth. Even so, it is Argentina who arrive in Cape Town as favourites after scoring 10 goals in just 4 games, but will they put their striking prowess to good use on Saturday in a game which promises to produce fireworks.

Reports claims that Diego Maradona had two dream encounters planned for these finals, with the first being against the English. That dream was wrecked at the Round of 16 stage by their last-eight opponents Germany, who themselves are high up on Argentina’s list of enemy’s. Four years ago in Germany, the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Argentina went crashing out of the tournament on penalties to the Germans before later exacting their frustration and disappointment onto the German team with their hands. It was ugly scenes, an act of a sore loser from an Argentine viewpoint, and they’ll be eager to make amends for their embarrassing post-match antics, as well as their shortcomings, by avoiding any such commotion by beating Germany, preferably before the dreaded penalty shoot-out.

A lot has been made of Argentina’s prolific strike force, the five-strong list of deadly forwards which now contain two-goal Carlos Tevez, Golden Boot contender Gonzalo Higuain and the majestic Lionel Messi, who has yet to find the back of anyone’s goal but has looked magnificent nonetheless. Their 10 goals in 4 games would emphasis their strength in numbers up front, with Argentina currently leading the way in goals scorer for the tournament so far, but it is easy to forget that a defence which did look suspect on paper has conceded just two goals thus far. That’s not to say that Argentina’s defence should be feared in any which way, nor that it’s impenetrable, but it was previously an area of huge concern and it’s definitely a pleasing aspect to see Maradona’s defence going about their business in a casual and reliable manner, as the forwards continue to steal the limelight with their goals.

Diego Maradona is fortunate enough not to have any injury woes or suspension headaches to concern himself with as he ponders how to mastermind a victory over an opponent which will put them through their paces like no other has done previously in the tournament. There are, however, several with a yellow card to their name and another caution would mean they would miss a potentially all South American semi-final with Uruguay or Ghana. Javier Mascherano, who is prone to receive a card in big games, and Gabriel Heinze, another to have a tendency to pick up needless cautions, will both miss out on the last-four should they be cautioned in Cape Town. Other than that, it’s full steam ahead as Diego Maradona has a full squad of players to choose from.

Germany

Quick, hide, the Germans are coming. The sound of Joachim Low’s men marching into Cape Town would be enough to scare the socks off of any hardened footballing professional, but they may well find their match on Saturday as they prepare to take on an opponent just as feisty and battle hardened as themselves in that of South American giants Argentina. However, the Germans come baring gifts, or scalps shall we say, and will arrive at the Green Point Stadium boasting the blood of England. Will they add Argentina to their list of conquests so far in this tournament, or will the apparent immaturity of the squad be their downfall in a clash where boys are likely to be found out.

Germany were in a ruthless mood as they trampled on English dreams last Saturday, crushing one of their bitter enemy’s in a utterly dominant and convincing win over England. The Three Lions were favourites heading into that clash, just ever so slightly, so perhaps a case could be made for the Germans and their love for the underdog status. Well, if they weren’t recognised as slight underdogs in their previous clash against England they certainly will be against Argentina, as Germany are as big as 12/5 (3.40) with SkyBet and Ladbrokes to upset the odds, yes upset the odds!, on Saturday in a symmetrical fixture they won four years ago via spot-kicks. For all you ladies out there who love a bargain, we think Germany could be the deal of the century, especially if they turn up and perform as they did against England exactly a week ago.

Their four goals against England last weekend took their tally for the tournament to 9, leaving them just one shy of Argentina. That’s some achievement for a team which doesn’t have a recognised forward in its midsts, and by recognised we mean recognised for their talent and recent form. Miroslav Klose has accounted for two of those but he’s looked out of sorts for some time and may well find chances hard to come by against this Argentina defence, so the onus is on the likes of Lukas Podolski (2 Goals), Mesut Ozil (1 Goal) and Thomas Muller (3 Goals) to continue their fine run of form in front of goal because, in all honesty, their forwards just aren’t World Cup quality. With that said, you’ll struggle to find a forward more experienced and cunning that Klose, who with another three goals would equal the great Ronaldo’s record of 15 goals in finals.

Unlike his opposite number, Joachim Low does have plenty to ponder before the big game, while he isn’t fat and ugly either. The German equivalent of a glamour model has worries over two big names in that of Mesut Ozil, who has been sensational in that play-maker role and would leave a huge void should he not feature, and Lukas Podolski. The pair have had to miss large chunks of training recently and their doubts only add more woes, especially as the energetic and lively Cacua is unavailable through injury as well. Just to add insult to injury, any number of key players could miss the semi-final should they receive another caution on Saturday, including Khedira, Schweinsteiger, Ozil and Lahm. With injuries causing havoc right now and the possibility of suspensions in the next round, the term ‘walking on egg shells’ couldn’t be more appropriate.

Match Odds:

Argentina – 2.38 BetFred
Draw – 3.25 bWin
Germany – 3.40 SkyBet

Our Betting Tip: Argentina to WIN – 2.38 BetFred

We, unfortunately, cannot see past an Argentina victory. The Germans were breathtaking last weekend as they dismantled England’s hopes of lifting the trophy after a 44-year drought, but there’s doubt over their defence, their forwards and their overall conditioning ahead of a clash against a team which has shaped up as possible FIFA World Cup champions. Thomas Muller commented earlier in the week that the Germans are a hard-working group of players, willing to go that extra mile for the good of the team. We hope that is true, as Low will need another courageous and industrious effort from his players on Saturday if they’re to despatch of the South Americans.

As for Argentina, they’re proving a difficult team to assess purely because they’ve looked the bee’s knees but haven’t yet been pitted against a team worthy or likely to win the title itself. This will be their first proper test of the tournament and should they handle whatever the Germans have to offer and give back twice as much, then who’s to say Argentina won’t continue going from strength to strength as they’ve done throughout the competition so far. Plus, with a deadly trio of forwards; Tevez, Messi and four-goal Higuain, it’s difficult to oppose a team possible of scoring any number of goals and unlikely to fire any blanks against any opponent.

Recommended Bet: Argentina to Score 3 or More Goals -  5.00 PaddyPower

Current Argentina v Germany 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!

Fancy a risk free bet on the 2010 FIFA World Cup? Well here is your chance with BetClic, who are offering a no lose first bet promotion on new accounts. When you place your first bet on a new account and that bet goes on to lose, then the online bookmaker will refund your lost bet. So whatever happens with that first bet on a new account, then you will win either way. Your bet wins, and you win. Your bet loses and you still win, with the refund on that first stake. This is applicable to new accounts only, and is genuine real money cash back offer

So, for example, if you place £20 on England to beat Germany at 8/5 then you stand to win a £32 profit. However, if England cannot get the better of their old foes, then Betclic will refund your £20 to your new account. This means you will have enjoyed all the thrills and spills of the game, but knowing that your bet is a completely risk free one, with nothing to lose.

BetClic provide good coverage on the World Cup, on a well designed website. Ex-France star Marcel Desailly is at the centre of the BetClic £20 FreeBet promotion, and the home page covers all the current, most popular and forthcoming sporting events. Of course the World Cup is at the centre of attention at the moment, and England take on Germany on Sunday as the two old international rivals battle it out for a place in the quarter finals. There is nothing bigger than an England v Germany fixture at the World Cup, and all of the hype and wars of words are starting already. Will Wayne Rooney finally get off the mark at this crucial time? Will England finally win on penalties? Yes, it is Germany once again for England and it is the clash of the last 16.

BetClic provide a good, clean website for your online betting needs, and they provide live stats on ongoing matches. As well as their extensive sports book, you can find poker rooms, casino and games to while away your time in between the World Cup matches. This Free £20 no loss bet is the perfect introduction to get your World Cup betting under way, if you have not done so already. Head on over to BetClic today and make the most of this no risk first bet on a new account.

England to win: 8/5
Draw: 11/5
Germany to win: 33/20

Here are some examples of what you can do with you Risk Free Bet!

England to Finally win on penalties: Bet £20 and win £220
England to beat Germany 2-1: Bet £20 and win £200
Wayne Rooney to score the last goal: Bet £20 and win £120

888Sport are offering a £20 no lose bet when you open a new account with them. This perfect chance to get behind England as they take on Germany in the last 16 at South Africa 2010. This a win-win situation for your World Cup betting, which means that if your first bet on a new account loses, then 888Sport will give you a refund up to the value of £20 matched. With the 2010 FIFA World Cup underway this is another ideal chance to take advantage of a no risk bet. The maximum refund on this first bet is £20, but you are safe in the knowledge that you are not going to lose out if you play up to the maximum. Either your first bet on a new account wins and you keep your winnings, or the bet loses and you will get your first stake refunded. Simply put, you have nothing to lose!

England are 5/6 at 888 Sport To Qualify against Germany