GERMANY VS SPAIN SEMI FINAL PREDICTIONS AND TOP FIVE BETTING TIPS

We're just a few hours away from kick-off in the second semi-final of the 2010 World Cup and there's no way that you can't be excited for this feast of football we've got in store for us today. This all-European semi-final clash pits the technical class of European rulers Spain against the organization and deadly counter-attacking boasted by the German side. 

Over the past few hours we've seen more fluctuations in the betting market with bookmakers cutting the price on Spain in a reaction to late money coming in on the current European champions. 
Popular UK bookmaker William Hill has listed Spain at 13/8 while Germany trades at 17/10. The draw, which would prompt extra time or even penalties, can be backed at an 11/5 price. This is important to know because, yesterday, William Hill had both sides listed at 17/10. 
Both teams are considered to be dead-even in regards to outright qualification and I think that's a reflection of the confidence that everybody has in this German sides ability to take penalties. There are 17/20 prices all around. 
My top five bets for the Germany vs Spain fixture are as follows:
Miroslav Klose to outscore David Villa at 7/2. I think that the goalscorer match bet between Villa and Klose is a fascinating market and with Villa listed at 15/8 I'd forgive you for having a bash on him, but I'm going to be backing Klose as I think he's more liable to get a pair of goals. With Thomas Muller out, I think he may see a bit more of the final ball and he is a bigger threat from set-pieces. 
Phillip Lahm to be booked at 15/8. I think that with the fluidity we've seen from the Spanish attack that there may be a few stretched moments for the German defence. With so many matchwinners on the Spanish side, I think that Germany may have to throw their weight around a bit and captain Phillip Lahm isn't in yellow card trouble. He will be tested down the flank and I think that he may have a few tricky moments. Spain also move into the channels a lot so I think that Lahm will be dealing with plenty of attacks. 
David Villa to hit the woodwork at 4/1. I firmly expect David Villa to have plenty of chances in this match and I also predict plenty of goal scrambles today. I think he will put at least one off the bar- perhaps from a long-distance shot. I've made a similar bet earlier in the tournament and it paid dividends. 
Over 2.5 goals at 6/5. I seriously don't see either team recording a shut-out here and the bookmakers have cut the price on the over 2.5. You may want to save this wager for an in-play bet if we have a scoreless opening 30 minutes as it would add plenty of value. I think if either team scores, the other side will equalize quite quickly and we could see a glut of goals here with so many matchwinners on the match. 
A penalty to be awarded at 3/1. I think that this one is a great shout and you can actually add a bit of further value by backing whether the penalty will be scored and missed. Keep in mind that this only applies to the 90 minutes market so a penalty shoot-out or a penalty in extra-time won't count. I think that with so much offensive firepower that the defences may just get a bit slippery.