GERMANY VS SPAIN PREDICTIONS AND WORLD CUP BETTING PREVIEW

While the focus today is on the massive semi-final clash between Uruguay and Holland- the tastier of the two encounters kicks off tomorrow with an all-European clash between Germany and Spain. There has been some very interesting movement in the betting market on William Hill and we figured that it deserved a mention. 

Initially when the odds were laid out, Spain were considered the distinct favourites. It's a different scenario now though, with the top UK bookmaker pricing both sides at 17/10 margins with the draw trading at 21/10. That's significant and it really says something about the type of football Germany have been playing in this tournament so far. 
It's interesting because Spain have been the big favourites to win nearly everything for the entire tournament- even now they're considered favourites to win. However, when you look at the scope and scale of their victories you sort of realize just how underwhelming some of them have been. Whereas the Germans have won most of their matches by decent margins, playing some seriously swashbuckling stuff, you really have to wonder how the two sides stack up. 
Even in regards to outright qualification, both teams are considered to be dead-even and you'll find both Spain and Germany listed at 17/20. 
The correct score betting favours a 1-1 draw at a 5/1 price and you have to admit that extra-time between these two sides would be absolutely electric. A 1-0 result to Spain pays out at 6/1 while a 1-0 result to Germany trades just behindt at 13/2. In fact, Germany are just a point or so behind every Spanish scoreline and I think that's where you find Spain seem to have the edge. One of the only dead-even prices is the odds on a 3-2 encounter which pay out at 33/1 for each side. 
Unsurprisingly, David Villa is listed at odds-on to score at any time with a 4/5 price. He is 10/3 first or last, 7/2 to score two or more and 20/1 to score a hat-trick. Fernando Torres is 6/4 anytime to break his duck while Fernando Llorente is priced at 7/4. Pedro trades at 11/4 and you may want to keep your eyes on Andres Iniesta at 4/1 anytime and Xavi at 5/1. 
For Germany, they've got Miroslav Klose at 7/4 anytime while Lukas Podolski can be backed at 9/4. Mesut Ozil is worth keeping your eye on and he is a massive 5/1 anytime. Bastian Schweinsteiger trades at 11/2 with Sami Khedira at 6/1. Thomas Muller is suspended for this fixture.
I think that Spain need to score three goals to win this match and I don't think Germany will struggle to hit the back of the net. Optimally, Spain would want to keep this one scoreless for the first 45. I think they would rather keep Germany off the board than to score one themselves. It's going to be a genuinely offensive battle, but Germany just look the side in better form while Spain look to have the tournaments form player in David Villa.