This World Cup has not been short on surprises and excitement, with fans eager to pounce on the title of ‘Best World Cup Ever’ following the open play and the high goal tallies accrued in the opening stages of the competition. Already this World Cup has seen more goals fly in than the whole of the 2010 edition, and with three rounds to go, and eight games yet to play, the excitement can only build, as the best eight teams in the world battle it out for the greatest prize in world sport.
World Cup Quarter Finals Odds
France vs Germany
France (15/8) and Germany (9/5) have been two of the strongest performers in the world cup so far, and it will be a bit of a shame that one of the two will bow out at the quarterfinal stage. Of the four quarters, this is probably the one that will attract most interest from a neutral point of view, as it is the game with the two strongest traditional powerhouses of world football, with both sides having been world champions in the past. This game is expected to a be a closely fought affair, with France surprising many with their play, both in offense and defence. Germany, after their opening drubbing of Portugal, have been a bit more low key, with Ghana and Algeria pushing them to the end, and it is suspected that the conditions may not be suitable for them. It will be a close game, but with the steel required to get through these tough knockout games highly in demand, I tip the Germans to sneak through.
Brazil vs Colombia
Brazil (3/4) will inevitably go into the game as favourites, owing mostly to their pedigree and the fact that they will be playing at home. They have failed to impress in this tournament, however, and they have failed to put together a strong 90 minutes together so far. Colombia (4/1), on the other hand, have been one of the stand out performers so far, and the odds being offered on the them are really great value. Based on the respective form going into the game, you would have to back Colombia, though the pressure of playing in such a high intensity game, with a World Cup semi final at stake, might play on their nerves. I fancy an upset in this game, though. Especially at those odds.
Argentina vs Belgium
Along with Colombia, Belgium (11/4) have been one of the more impressive surprise packages in the tournament so far. They were pushed to the wire against a very USA side in the last round, but managed to pick themselves up to sneak through, though they will have spent a lot of energy in that game and it will interesting to see whether they will have recovered in the last few days. Argentina (6/5) themselves had a tough game against Switzerland, which also saw them play 120 minutes, so from that point of view it will be an even game. Argentina, dragged to this stage of the tournament by the excellent form of Lionel Messi, will have to do a bit more if they want to claim their third World Cup, and judging by what they have shown so far, it is difficult to see them going through to the end without the magic of Messi. Barring any Messi specials, I’d back Belgium in this one, especially considering the favourable odds.
Holland vs Costa Rica
Costa Rica (13/2) have perhaps been the biggest surprise of the tournament, coming out of a group containing three previous World Cup winners. The Netherlands (8/15) will be another proposition altogether you feel, however, and it will be a huge upset should they make it through. After demolishing Spain in the quarters, they safely navigated through the rest of their games, finishing top of their group and reaching the quarters after having been given a huge scare by Mexico. European sides have generally been disadvantaged by the conditions in this World Cup, with teams from warmer climes adjusting better. This should be one bridge too far for the Costa Ricans, however. Holland to qualify.
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Tagged With : Argentina • Belgium • Brazil • Colombia • Costa Rica • France • Germany • Holland • World Cup