Germany v Spain Betting Preview

Written by James Beckett Sunday, 04 July 2010 23:26

Betting Odds

In a repeat of the Euro 2008 final, Germany take on Spain, but this time a place in the World Cup final is the prize for the winners, and whoever emerges victorious from this game will surely go down as the betting favourites to take the trophy home.


Spain won 1-0 back in 2008, with Fernando Torres netting the decisive goal. Back then Torres was in a similar form to this World Cup and hardly looked at his best, but he proved his reputation as a big game player in the final with the only goal, and how Spanish manager Vicente Del Bosque would like a similar outcome this time round.


But Del Bosque has been able to turn to David Villa this summer, and the Barcelona hit man has arguably been the player of the tournament he so far. Despite playing in a wide left role, Villa has scored five times, and the Germans will have to be at their very best to cope with him.


But with Xavi and Iniesta playing behind them, Villa and Torres are bound to get chances. Neither midfielder has been at their influential best so far in South Africa, but with Xabi Alonso andSergio Busquets in behind them, there is always the chance to get forward and dictate the game.


Alonso has overcome an ankle injury he suffered earlier in the tournament, and this should mean that Del Bosque will have a full squad to chose from for the semi finals. But changes remain very unlikely.

Germany on the other hand will be without Thomas Müller after he picked up his second yellow card of the tournament during the 4-0 demolition of Argentina. The Bayern Munich striker has scored four times so far in South Africa and his suspension will be a big blow to German coach Joachim Löw.


Toni Kroos could be the man to come in for Müller, however Marko Marin will also be pushing for a start. Elsewhere though Germany should be unchanged, with striker Miroslav Klose out to equal the record for all time World Cup finals goals.


Klose will be aided by Lukas Podolski who plays in a wide role, but it is Mesut Ozil and Bastian Schweinsteiger that make the Germans tick. Schweinsteiger will sit in midfield and pull the strings, where as Ozil will drift all over the field, and his guile and class will be a real threat to the Spanish defence.


The German defence looks equally strong, with Per Mertesacker andArne Friedrich looking very solid, absorbing pressure, and allowing the rest of the side to play their superb attacking football that has lit up South Africa so far.


This will prove key to any chance of German success. Spain will inevitably have a lot of the ball with players like Alonso, Iniesta and Xavi, but the Germans will set up knowing this, and will be out to produce the same counter attacks that humbled not only England but Argentina as well.


Having said that though Germany aren't exactly a bad side on the ball either, and it really does promise to be a superb battle in the centre of the park between the creative forces on each side.


But what may prove key to this game is how well Germany can deal with Torres and Villa, if they can keep them quiet, you'd expect them to make it to the final. However the way Villa is playing, and the reputation Torres has as a big game player, you just feel that they won't be able to keep the duo quiet, and Spain could sneak through and keep on course for their first ever World Cup title.

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