It seems like just days ago that Brazil and Croatia got us underway at this World Cup and yet here we are already at the quarter finals. England are long gone – but then so are Spain, Italy, Portugal and 20 others – and the eight teams left all won their first round groups, meaning we have a line-up of real class and quality here. This weekend is going to start at precisely 5pm on Friday for us and with four amazing games we’re confident of some great action but, more importantly, some profitable World Cup betting!
Friday 4th July 2014
France v Germany (17:00) – France to qualify (5/4 with Bet365)
There is clearly very little between these teams and both have some outstanding players in all areas of the pitch. Many pundits argue that Germany are the most complete squad and team in the World Cup on the basis that removing no individual player would have a catastrophic impact on their chances of success.
There is some truth to that argument and there is no doubt that should Lionel Messi, Arjen Robben, Neymar or James Rodriguez fall injured, their respective sides would really struggle. However, if Germany are so good, what’s going wrong? Since they humiliated Portugal in their opening game they have drawn with Ghana, edged past the USA and needed extra time – and a little luck – to defeat Algeria.
The so-called “Golden Generation” has failed to deliver at previous tournaments and they look likely to do the same again. They don’t have a striker and play with four centre-backs for starters!
France, on the other hand, look energetic and have a nice balance. The French are dangerous in the knockout phase of competitions and are full of confidence and in Karim Benzema, Paul Pogba and Huge Lloris they have three genuinely world class players. They are outsiders here but on performances at this tournament they shouldn’t be and given they will be better rested than the Germans we think they can cause an upset here.
Brazil v Colombia (21:00) – Over 2.5 goals (43/40 with Bet365)
This all-South American clash could well provide the winner of the World Cup and it will be a fascinating battle between quality sides. Brazil have Neymar, Colombia have Rodriguez, and with supporting casts of Oscar, Hulk, Jackson Martinez, Juan Cuadrado and Teofilo Gutierrez we can be sure of plenty of fine attacking play.
If anything it could be argued that Colombia have the better side given their defence looks a little tighter – they have conceded just two goals thus far. They have certainly produced the more convincing performances but we think that Brazil will grow into the World Cup whilst Colombia may have peaked too soon.
The deeper into the tournament Brazil get, the less humiliating failure will be and that could see them play with greater freedom. Moreover, they have home advantage and superior experience of massive games, players like David Luiz, Thiago Silva, Dani Alves, Neymar and others all regular competing at the business end of the Champions League.
All in all we think Brazil will edge this but given the attacking intent of both sides the safest bet is over 2.5 goals, with 2-1 or 2-2 our correct score predictions.
Saturday 5th June 2014
Argentina v Belgium (17:00) – Draw at half time (21/20 with Bet365)
Both of these sides were well fancied coming into the tournament but neither has quite delivered, despite the fact they both won all their group games. They are contrasting in styles in as much as Argentina are all about one man – whose name doesn’t even need mentioning – whilst Belgium are about the team collective and, more than that due to their high number of goals from the bench, the squad.
Argentina are firm favourites to progress and if they do so they will rely on Messi and his quick passing and movement whilst Belgium will attempt to wear the favourites down and control the game.
Both sides have started games slowly before tending to score later in the game and as such – and given both drew 0-0 in 90 minutes in the Round of 16 – our main betting tip here is for the draw at the break.
Odds of 21/20 with Bet365 look good to us whilst you can up those further by backing it to be 0-0 after 45 at huge odds of 6/4 with Sky Bet in what is sure to be a tight match.
Netherlands v Costa Rica (21:00) – Netherlands to win to nil (27/20 with Coral)
Costa Rica are by far the weakest side left in the World Cup and whilst that may sound harsh, it is true. Despite superb wins over Italy and Uruguay they have to be considered as inferior to the European and South American heavyweights they are grouped alongside. Their success has been based on high tempo pressing in numbers and that requires huge energy and commitment and after four games they are sure to be running low on the former, if not the latter. They scraped past a poor Greece team in the last round and the extra time they played will have reduced their fitness yet further and we feel they have run their race.
The Dutch are far from watertight at the back, as Nigeria showed, but Costa Rica don’t offer a great deal going forward and so our tip here is for Robben and co to win to nil. Odds of 27/20 with Coral are excellent considering the favourites will control the ball and the game, and both 1-0 and 2-0 are worth a small bet in the correct score market.