Brazil might be missing their two key men for Tuesday’s first World Cup semi-final however I still rate them the more likely victors and they should be sided with at the prices.
The bookmakers cannot split the two giants but I am tipping the host nation to overcome the loss of Neymar and Thiago Silva and the 10/11 in the to qualify market looks worth taking.
The latter is suspended while the golden boy of Brazilian football will miss the remainder of the tournament having broken a bone in his back versus Colombia.
In truth we have not seen the best that either of these two sides has to offer at the finals but they both know how to win and their passage to the final four is no surprise.
Tuesday’s match will be Germany’s fourth consecutive World Cup semi-final, a record, and Joachim Low will be hoping his men can improve upon their last two efforts, beaten semi-finalists by Italy and Spain in 2006 and 2010 respectively.
Germany were ultimately found wanting against the two subsequent world champions and it could be third time unlucky.
The way Low’s side approached their Last 16 tie with Algeria was remarkable, they were extremely fortunate to progress, and I was underwhelmed again by Germany in their quarter-final with the French.
Didier Deschamps men were denied on several occasions by the exceptional Manuel Neuer in the German goal, Karim Benzema in particular, and the Bayern Munich stopper might have to be at his best again versus the hosts.
While Germany have failed to fire, on the whole, I have not been surprised by Brazil’s approach - brawn very much over beauty en route to the semi-finals.
Brazil still trade at the same pre-tournament price of approximately 11/4, despite being just two wins away from glory, and it has been somewhat forgotten that they found a way by both Chile and Colombia in the knockout stages so far.
That pair had both deeply impressed before succumbing to Felipe Scolari’s side and Brazil are seemingly intent on getting the job done, no matter how.
2pts Back Brazil To Qualify (vs. Germany) @ 10/11 (various)