S.P. Read Esq. Brazil v Germany
Our daily columnist and pundit S.P.Read Esq. previews BRAZIL V GERMANY (9pm, BBC).
Ever played Jenga or (for older readers) Ker Plunk ??
Jenga’s the game consisting of a tower of wooden blocks and you have to remove them one by one, nervously, and prevent the tower from collapsing.
Ker Plunk is the same, just with plastic sticks and marbles.
And before you think I’ve lost my marbles…. here’s the link.
Will Brazil ‘Jenga’ their way out of the tournament this evening ?
Because, in their case, two vital blocks have been removed from the Brazilian superstructure with superstar Neymar injured and their captain Thiago Silva also AWOL through suspension.
We’ve seen notably with Uruguay/Suarez the effect the removal of one star player can have on a side. In their case rendered useless.
It’s not just the individual skills they miss but the drop in confidence and self-belief that seemingly spreads throughout the whole side.
The big issue for me is that Brazil haven’t looked anything special even with Neymar and Silva on the pitch. That’s not to sound unduly negative – it’s actually a compliment that they’ve actually got this far without playing the magical Brazilian brand of football we so have associated with them.
At times they’ve had luck on their side too. Notably when scraping past Chile in that penalty shootout. Who was responsible for the winning kick again? Oh yes, Neymar…..
At the Estadio Mineirao tonight (9pm BBC) one of these sides needs to improve on what they’ve shown us so far if they are to book their place in the final. And if you looked at the team news you’d favour strongly one side:
Germany’s manager Joachim Low has reported no fresh injury concerns ahead of the match.
What a position to be in against the side with the missing Jenga blocks.
These two sides have the most World Cup experience between them playing more World Cup matches than any other side (102 and 104 respectively), but have only met once before in the World Cup when Brazil won 2-0 in the 2002 final:
HEAD TO HEAD RECORD
(Max last 10 only)
Aug 2011 International Germany 3-2 Brazil
Jun 2005 Confed Cup Germany 2-3 Brazil
Sep 2004 International Germany 1-1 Brazil
Jun 2002 World Cup Brazil 2-0 Germany
Jul 1999 Confed Cup Brazil 4-0 Germany
Mar 1998 International Germany 1-2 Brazil
Nov 1993 International Germany 2-1 Brazil
Jun 1993 International Germany 3-3 Brazil
Dec 1992 International Brazil 3-1 Germany
Germany are nothing if not consistent. They have become the first country to reach four successive World Cup semi-finals.
The market hasn’t got a clue – just for the novelty value alone I would like to see all three outcomes at 90 minutes priced up at the identical price because I really do have it that close.
As close as it is likely to be I still think there will be goals and I’m keen on selling the time of the first goal at around 41 minutes at the home of sports spread betting Star Spreads.
CLICK HERE FOR LIVE BRAZIL v GERMANY MARKETS ON STAR SPREADS
RECOMMENDED BET (scale 1-100 points)
SELL TIME OF FIRST GOAL at around 41 minutes with Star Spreads for 15 points
- Any spread prices quoted are indicative and as always prices are subject to fluctuation.
- Please note the opinion, views and forecasts above are of the author and not of Star Spreads.
