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World Cup Finals – Netherlands vs Spain preview

Liverpool Fan — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 03:18:21 +0000

Game:- Netherlands vs Spain
Competition :- 2010 FIFA World Cup
Venue :- Soccer City, Johannesberg
Date :- Sunday, 11th July 2010
KO time:- 20.30 South African time

Paul the Octopus, has predicted Spain to lift the 2010 FIFA World Cup but it really does not take psychic powers to realise that del Bosque’s close knit outfit will have the upper edge against Netherlands. Whatever may be the result, the World Cup will have a first time winner at Soccer City. Will van Marwijk’s tactical nous deflate Spain’s attack ? Read our preview and head over to PinnacleSports to place your bet!

Netherlands form- last five games- most recent first
Netherlands 3-2 Uruguay (van Bronckhost, Sneijder, Robben)
Netherlands 2-1 Brazil (Melo OG, Sneijder)
Netherlands 2-1 Slovakia (Robben, Sneijder)
Cameroon 1-2 Netherlands ( Robin Van Persie, Klaas Jan Huntelaar)
Netherlands 1-0 Japan ( Wesley Sneijder)

The Dutch come into the game on the back of a 25 game unbeaten run – their first final since 1978. They have scored 12 goals en route to the finals – five more than their opponents. Nigel de Jong and Gregory van der Wiel will be back into the starting lineup replacing Demy de Zeeuw and Khalid Boulahrouz respectively. Arjen Robben’s pace on the wings could pose problems for the ageing Capdevilla. Sneijder and van Persie will partner Robben in attack. The Dutch have a rich array of talent on the bench – including the likes of van Der Vaart, Elia, Huntelaar and Afellay.

Spain – last few games – most recent game on top
v.Germany – Win 1-0 (Puyol)
v.Paraguay – Win 1-0 (Villa)
v.Portugal – Win 1-0 (Villa)
v.Chile – Win 2-1 (Villa, Iniesta)
v.Honduras – Win 2-0 (Villa*2)

Spain are white-hot favourites to win the tournament. La Furia Roja have completed most number of passes in the tournament and the Dutch might as well experience “death by a thousand passes”. Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has pleaded the coach to grant him a starting spot. Pedro started for Spain in the semi-final and was impressive. Star names like Torres and Fabregas might have to settle for a place on the bench. Villa will lead the line – looking for the goal that would make him the Golden Boot winner. Busquets, Xabi Alonso, Iniesta and Xavi will play in midfield.

Verdict: Netherlands 1-2 Spain (Robben / Villa, Pedro)

Third place playoff – Uruguay vs Germany preview

Liverpool Fan — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 02:44:06 +0000

Game:- Uruguay vs Germany
Competition :- 2010 FIFA World Cup
Venue :- Nelson Mandela Bay, Port Elizabeth
Date :- Saturday, 10th July 2010
KO time:- 20.30 South African time

The World Cup’s third place playoff has the air of a game which no team wants to play. Both Uruguay and Germany will have to put the disappointment of the loss in the semi-final behind them as they push for a podium finish at the 2010 World Cup. The game assumes special importance for Diego Forlán, Mesut Ozil and Bastian Schweinsteiger – all of whom are in the running for FIFA’s Golden Ball award. Read our preview and bet with our preferred bookmakers – PaddyPower and Bet365.

Uruguay form- recent games- most recent first
Uruguay 2-3 Netherlands(Forlan, M.Perreira)
Uruguay 1-1 Ghana (aet) (Forlan)
Uruguay 2-1 Korea (Suarez*2)
Uruguay 1-0 Mexico (Suarez)
Uruguay 3-0 South Africa (Forlan*2,Perriera)

Uruguay have a shot at their best ever finish at the World Cup since 1950. Oscar Tabarez will welcome back Luis Suarez into the lineup. Both him and Forlan have an outside chance of bagging the Golden Boot – the award for the top scorer at the World Cup. Jorge Fucile also returns to the fold after serving his suspension. Diego Lugano should be fit to take his place at the heart of defence.

Germany – last few games – most recent game on top
Germany 0-1 Spain
Germany 4-0 Argentina (Klose*2,Muller,Friedrich)
Germany 4-1 England (Klose, Podolski, Muller*2)
Germany 1-0 Ghana (Ozil)
Germany 0-1 Serbia

Joachim Low’s young side was found out against an organized Spanish outfit. Thomas Mueller will return after missing the semi final against Spain. He will replace Trochowski at right midfield. Miroslav Klose is just one goal away from equalling Ronaldo’s record of most ever World Cup goals. A brace for the Poland-born striker could even see him leapfrog both Villa and Sneijder in the race for the Golden Boot.

Vedict: Uruguay 0-2 Germany (Klose,Podolski)

Semi Final – Germany vs Spain preview

Liverpool Fan — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 04:39:40 +0000

Game:- Germany vs Spain
Competition :- 2010 FIFA World Cup
Venue :- Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban
Date :- Wednesday, 7th July 2010
KO time:- 20.30 South African time

The second semi-final of the 2010 World Cup is a rematch of the 2008 European Championships Final as Spain take on Germany at Durban. Germany have played some glorious attacking football scoring thirteen goals en route to the semis. Spain have looked solid but have had to rely on Villa’s individual brilliance. Will Joachim Low’s young side upset the Spanish applecart? Read our preview and bet with Bet365 – our preferred bookmaker.

Germany – last few games – most recent game on top
Germany 4-0 Argentina (Klose*2,Muller,Friedrich)
Germany 4-1 England (Klose, Podolski, Muller*2)
Germany 1-0 Ghana (Ozil)
Germany 0-1 Serbia
Germany 4-0 Australia ( Lukas Podolski, Miroslav Klose, Thomas Muller, Cacau)

Thomas Mueller’s suspension has left a void in the German midfield. Polish born diminutive right midfielder Piotr Trochowski should get a start in the absence of the 20-year old star. Low could also go for a 4-4-2 formation playing Cacau alongside Miroslav Klose who is just one short of Ronaldo’s goal scoring record at the World Cup. The rest of the team – Neuer, Lahm, Friedrich, Mertasacker, Boateng, Khedira, Ozil, Schewinsteiger and Podolski pick themselves.

Spain – last few games – most recent game on top
v.Paraguay – Win 1-0 (Villa)
v.Portugal – Win 1-0 (Villa)
v.Chile – Win 2-1 (Villa, Iniesta)
v.Honduras – Win 2-0 (Villa*2)
v.Switzerland – Loss 0-1

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres is likely to be benched after a string of disappointing performances. Cesc Fabregas is likely to start in his place. Del Bosque will go in with midfield comprising of Xabi Alonso, Sergio Busquets, Xavi and Iniesta. Jesus Navas, Pedro and David Silva provide valuable options on the bench. The Germans’ passing and movement will be a real test for the left sided defence of Capdevilla and Puyol – both of whom find themselves on the wrong side of thirty.

Verdict: Germany 3-1 Spain (Klose, Podolski, Schweinsteiger / Villa)

The Spanish back line looks a bit iffy to me. They should find it difficult against a freely flowing German outfit.

Semi Finals – Uruguay vs Netherlands preview

Liverpool Fan — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 15:29:15 +0000

Game:- Uruguay vs Netherlands
Competition :- 2010 FIFA World Cup
Venue :- Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Date :- Tuesday, 6th July 2010
KO time:- 20.30 South African time

Two time World Cup winners Uruguay fly the South American flag as they take on the Netherlands in the first semi final at Cape Town on Tuesday. Neither team was expected to make it this far into the tournament but both Oscar Tabarez and Bert van Marwijk will be wanting their teams to go one step further and make the finals – something that the Dutch have not done since 1978. Bet on the game with our preferred bookmakers – 10 Bet and 12 Bet.

Uruguay form- recent games- most recent first
Uruguay 1-1 Ghana (aet) (Forlan)
Uruguay 2-1 Korea (Suarez*2)
Uruguay 1-0 Mexico (Suarez)
Uruguay 3-0 South Africa (Forlan*2,Perriera)
France 0-0 Uruguay

Uruguay have headaches with their forward line after Luis Suarez was sent off for handling the ball on the line in the 120th minute. With Suarez suspended, Tabarez may be forced to change his preferred 4-3-3 to a regular 4-4-2 with Forlan partnering Cavani up front. Ignacio Gonzales will slot into midfield. Uruguay captain Diego Lugano limped off in the first half against Ghana. The man who replaced him – Andres Scotti – is expected to take his place if Lugano fails to recover. Jorge Fucile will miss the game having picked up two yellow cards leaving Uruguay a bit thin at the back.

Netherlands form- last five games- most recent first
Netherlands 2-1 Brazil (Melo OG, Sneijder)
Netherlands 2-1 Slovakia (Robben, Sneijder)
Cameroon 1-2 Netherlands ( Robin Van Persie, Klaas Jan Huntelaar)
Netherlands 1-0 Japan ( Wesley Sneijder)
Netherlands 2-0 Denmark ( Agger OG, Dirk Kuyt)

The Dutch have gone about their job with the efficiency of a surgeon with Wesley Sneijder instrumental in running the midfield. There is good news on the injury front with both Mathijsen and van Persie passing fitness tests. The Dutch will be without Nigel de Jong and Gregory van der Wiel who are both suspended. Khalid Boularouhz and Demy de Zeeuw are expected to replace them.

Verdict: Uruguay 1-3 Netherlands (Forlan / Sneijder, Robben, Kuyt)

Quarter Final – Paraguay vs Spain preview

Liverpool Fan — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 08:58:22 +0000

Game:- Paraguay vs Spain
Competition :- 2010 FIFA World Cup
Venue :- Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesberg
Date :- Saturday, 3rd July 2010
KO time:- 20.30 South African time

Under Vicente del Bosque,Spain have finally seemed to have cracked the code of doing well in major international competitions. The entire world is expecting them to brush aside an industrious Paraguay side who enter into the quarters having fired blanks in the last two games. The odds at Paddy Power suggest that it would be a cruise for the Spaniards. There are some handsome rewards to be earned if you bet on a Paraguay win though.

Paraguay – last few games – most recent game on top
v.Japan – Draw 0-0
v.New Zealand – Draw 0-0
v.Slovakia – Win 2-0 (Vera, Riveros)
v.Italy – Draw 1-1 (Alcaraz)

Gerardo Martino is expected to sacrifice Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz in order to play Barrios, Valdez and Cardozo together in attack. Victor Caceres will return to the defensive midfielder’s role after serving a suspension. He will replace Ortigoza who started against Japan. Martino might also be tempted to recall natural right back Denis Caniza to keep an eye on Villa who will be playing on the left flank. Carlos Bonet could make way for the 35 year old veteran.

Spain – last few games – most recent game on top
v.Portugal – Win 1-0 (Villa)
v.Chile – Win 2-1 (Villa, Iniesta)
v.Honduras – Win 2-0 (Villa*2)
v.Switzerland – Loss 0-1
v.Poland – Win 6-0 (Villa,Silva,Alonso,Fabregas,Torres,Pedro)

La Furja Roja are a settled team. Del Bosque is sweating over the fitness of Xabi Alonso whose ankle is causing a lot of discomfort. Fabregas or Javier Martinez could get a look in from the start. The biggest selection dilemma though lies at the centre forward position. It would be interesting to see if the manager persists with a misfiring Torres or chooses to go with the muscular Fernando Llorente.

Verdict: Paraguay 0-2 Spain (Villa, Torres)

Fernando Torres to break his duck and lead Spain into the last four!