A terrific clash on the cards as Germany and Spain meet for the right to take on Holland in the final of World Cup 2010 and surely this will live up to pre-game expectations.
It is interesting that Germany are bigger in the Match Odds market for Wednesday’s encounter, as big as 2.88 with Boylesports, but the bookmakers find it very difficult to split the pair in the outright betting and we could be in for a long evening.
While Spain have an injury concern regarding Cesc Fabregas, Germany will be hit hard by the loss of Thomas Muller through suspension and his absence could be telling.
Muller has four goals already to his name in South Africa and it has been his play alongside Mesut Ozil and Lukas Podolski that has made Germany so attractive to watch at these finals.
It is thought that Joachim Low will turn to Piotr Trochowski but the midfielder doesn’t possess quite the creativity of the man he is likely to replace and Spain will certainly be happier with Muller on the sidelines.
In blasting four goals past England and Argentina already in the knockout stages, Germany are now suddenly the side that everybody fears at World Cup 2010 but there is a long way to go yet before any medals are given out and Spain’s recent experience could well be the deciding factor.
Spain have failed to scale the heights of their fantastic displays when romping to Euro 2008 glory, they beat Germany so comprehensively in the final, but, much like potential final opponents Holland, they certainly know how to win and it is now just two defeats in over 50 matches
Spain could well have been on their way home from these finals had Oscar Cardozo converted a second half penalty for Paraguay on Saturday evening in their last eight clash but Vicente Del Bosque’s men survived that scare, before David Villa once again proved their saviour, and it is going to take an almighty performance to get the better of them.
While there is no indication that Germany are about to go off the boil, Spain keep possession so supremely well that the 1990 winners will be under pressure to make their chances count and they certainly wont be gifted anything like the number of opportunities presented to them by England and Argentina.
This looks extremely tough to call but the vote goes to the Spanish and the 1.91 with Bet 365 on them qualifying will do for me.
Spain appear just to have more match-winners in their line up and, in a game tipped to be decided by such a small margin, that point could prove crucial.
1pt Back Spain To Qualify (vs. Germany) @ 1.91 (Bet 365)