After changing the picks in the last blog update, my original pick for the first semi-final from my first World Cup 2014 blog was correct! Brazil v Germany! And in the second semi-final we will see Netherlands v Argentina which was the prediction just after the group stages had finished!
In fact, I am going to go back to those predictions which will hopefully see an all European final between Germany and Netherlands, thus breaking the European drought at a World Cup on South American soil. You can get this combination for $4.50 on Betfair, firmed up from $13.50 at the start of the Round of 16.
Brazil have lost Neymar for the remainder of the tournament and he will be a big loss having stepped up to the plate and delivered so far this tournament. Worse still is the suspension of captain Thiago Silva for two yellow cards as that will leave a big hole in that defence. In steps Dante who plays his club football in Germany for Bayern Munich. The Germans, on the other hand, have no major injury concerns and Joachim Low will look to move Thomas Müller back upfront with Miroslav Klose dropping back to the bench again after his first start of the tournament against France. Only concern for Low is Mesut Ozil struggles so far and Lukas Podolski being out of favour, ironically both Arsenal players.
Netherlands have had a charmed run and look destined to make the finals again whilst Argentina have been extremely disappointing especially given their firepower available to them. Fault lies with their coach Alejandro Sabella who's tactical nous is certainly not as good as Louis van Gaal's. Ballsy move saving his final substitution in a match that went a full 120 minutes for a goalkeeper change just for the penalty shooutout! But hey, it worked and he looks like a magician!
Right now Betfair has Argentina and Germany equal favourites to win the World Cup at $3.65. Brazil are close behind on $3.75 and Netherlands still good value at $5.20.
In the Golden Boot Award, James Rodriguez is a big favourite at $1.58 after his consolation penalty against Brazil took him 2 goals ahead of Lionel Messi, Müller and Neymar who are all on four goals. Messi is now at $6.20 and Müller at $7.40 on Betfair. Worth a punt on Müller pulling even with Rodriguez, if not ahead, by the end of this tournament that finishes up on the 14th of July 2014.
