Argentina vs Germany Preview

What a quarter-final clash is in prospect when Germany and Argentina stake their claims for a place amongst the last four of the World Cup. There will be fireworks. The stats based on past meetings between the two nations gives rise to how closely matched they have been over the years. And while both teams have obviously evolved with time, they remain just as closely matched now as they were when Argentina prevailed in a 3-2 thriller to the final of the 1986 World Cup Finals in Mexico. In total, Germany and Argentina have locked horns on ten occasions, with the south Americans winning four, Germany three, and three ended all square. In the games in question, the two sides scored a collective total of ten goals apiece. The most recent clash between these world football heavyweights was in the FIFA Confederations Cup in Nuremberg last June, and the game resulted in a 2-2 draw. Germany hardly started the tournament quietly - beating Costa Rica 4-2 in the tournaments opening fixture in Munich - but they have gradually improved, especially in terms of their defence, which looked suspect in that first Group A game, and with every game they appear to be growing in strength and confidence. Argentina's first match of the finals was also explosive. Although their game produced half the amount of goals of Germany's, the Albiceleste's 2-1 victory over the tenacious Ivory Coast was one of they most adrenalin-fuelled matches in the group stages altogether. Jose Pekerman's charges were then elevated to joint favoritism with Brazil to win the competition with many bookies after their deeply impressive 6-0 hammering of Serbia & Montenegro. Indeed, the Argentineans really treated us in that match to what is best described as champagne football. And it was champagne football of the Cristal variety. However, Mexico exploited definite chinks in Argentina's amour in their last 16 encounter at the Zentralstadion. Although they were eventually sunk when Maxi Rodriguez netted was is arguably the goal of the competition thus far halfway through the first period of extra time, El Tri really pushed the Argentines to the limit. It certainly wasn't any disgrace on Argentina's part to have to dig as deep as they did to master Ricardo La Volpe's men, who are ranked fourth in the world by FIFA, albeit by virtue of a somewhat misleading method of assessment. And, to their credit, Argentina proved that they can react quickly to setbacks - Crespo cancelled out Marquez's sixth-minute goal for Mexico by evening things up just four minutes later. But, and it's a big but, Germany are going from strength to strength and the effect of having the weight of the nation's support behind them in their bid to win this tournament in their own backyard cannot be understated. They really will have a twelfth man in this game. Golden Boot favourite Miroslav Klose, scorer of twenty-eight goals in fifty-nine matches for his country, is looking extremely dangerous in this tournament - he's already scored four times and there is undoubtedly more to come. Meanwhile, Michael Ballack continues to showcase his extensive repertoire of footballing genius. His performances in the Finals so far will do little to aid the restful sleep of Chelsea's Premiership rivals. And twenty-one-year-old Lucas Podolski, who weighed in with both of Germany's goals in their 2-0 win against Sweden in the last 16, is up there with the likes of Fernando Torres, Lionel Messi and Wayne Rooney, as one of they most exciting young footballers in the game at present. On the subject of Argentina's Messi, the Barcelona man looks capable of causing havoc for his rivals whenever he is in possession. The nineteen-year-old is probably they most naturally gifted teenager in football right now, and he will provide a stern test for the German defence, whether Pekerman opts to pitch him in from the start or bring him on as an impact substitute. Both Germany and Argentina possess squads laden with talent in every area of the park, especially attack-minded players. There have been five competitive encounters between these two sides since, and including, the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, and fourteen goals were scored within that quintet of ties, that's an average of 2.8 goals per game. Chances are, this won't be a goal fest as such, but I'd be surprised if we were not treated to at least three goals. With this in mind - and I know it's hardly a huge price - but it's well worth having a few bob on three goals + at 11/10 in the total goals market with Stan James. Ultimately, I'm confident that Germany will this match, so I am unwavering in my recommendation of an interest in them at a too-good-to-miss 9/5 with Skybet in the match result market. Last, but by no means least, a punt on Michael Ballack in the anytime goalscorer market at 13/5 with Coral simply has to be entertained. The talismanic midfielder has yet to etch his name on a scoresheet in this World Cup but he's been knocking on the door. Ballack is a big-game player who I am sure will really rise to the occasion and against Argentina and he will have a huge impact in this game. Indeed, I reckon he will be the key man, therefore the 9/2 on offer with Paddy Power about him being named man of the match is another betting opportunity in this match which is too good to ignore. Verdict: 2pts 3+ in the total goals market @ 11/10 (stan james) 2.50pts Germany in the match result market @ 9/5 (skybet) 1.25pts Michael Ballack in the anytime scorer market @ 13/5 (vcbet) 1pt Michael Ballack to be named man of the match @ 9/2 (Paddy Power)