World Cup Semis Betting Preview
World Cup Semis Betting Preview
In what has been an exciting and at times controversial World Cup, only four of the original 32 teams remain as the semifinals kickoff Tuesday and Wednesday.
On Tuesday at 2:30 ET, Uruguay plays in the role as heavy +600 underdogs, at Sportsbook.com, versus a tough Holland (-200) squad that sent tournament favorite Brazil home early in the quarterfinals.
Then on Wednesday at 2:30, Germany (+175) and their impressive high scoring offense take on Spain (+145), which just so happens to be the highest ranked team (#2) remaining in the 2010 World Cup.
In the second half of their match versus Brazil last Friday, Holland was absolutely dominant coming from behind to win 2-1. Perhaps not the biggest or most talented squad, the Dutch pride themselves with having as much heart as any team in the tournament.
For the 2010 World Cup, Holland has accumulated a 5-0-0 record which is really quite amazing when you consider how many games in the group stages ended in a tie.
Attackers Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and Robin van Persie are clicking on all cylinders and are playing as well as any trio left in the tournament.
Whereas Holland has made it look easy over the last 20 some days, Uruguay has been sneaking by as of late. Outside of the USA vs. Algeria game, the most dramatic ending of regulation of any game in the tournament came this past Friday as the soccer gods were looking down on Uruguay. After Luis Suarez’s blatant hand ball to save a goal, Uruguay’s opponent Ghana had a free penalty kick to break the tie and claim a spot in the semis. Unfortunately for Ghana, the kick ricocheted off the crossbar, forcing the game into extra time where Uruguay eventually won in a penalty shootout.
Uruguay will be playing without Suarez who must sit out the game do to his game saving handball.
What to expect:
Without Suarez, Uruguay will have problems putting the ball in the net. Known for their defense, they will just be to overmatched by the Dutch who will go on to win this game 2-0.
Germany has looked the best of any team in the 2010 World Cup. No other team has moved the ball with crisp passing like the Germans tallying up 13 goals. There last two games have been absolute laughers; first defeating the Brits 4-1, then pummeling Argentina 4-0.
Spain has had a much tougher go reaching the semis. In their two knockout games they won by the score of 1-0 versus Portugal and then Paraguay. However, the fact that they have reached the World Cup semifinals without looking al that impressive tells you just how good Spain is. That being said, if they play to the level that they’ve played throughout the tournament, there is little chance they can compete with the Germans; they must live up to their reputation if they expect to advance.
What to expect:
Perhaps Spain has been lollygagging throughout the whole tournament or perhaps they are just a bit overrated. We know what we get with Germany, on the other hand. Considering Spain is the slight betting favorite at +145, there is little value backing them. That being said, they will raise their game a couple notches and play to a 1-1 tie with the Germans winning in the shootout.
Sportsbook.com odds to win the World Cup:
Spain +187
Holland +200
Germany +210
Uruguay +1200
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