On Fire... Oezil and Mueller are running riot for Germany.

Mexico didn’t provide the sternest of tests for a powerful Argentinean side, and in their opponents so far (Nigeria, South Korea, Greece and Mexico) they have faced no real ‘big’ team with all due respect to the aforementioned teams. Germany will undoubtedly provide that though, having put four goals on the one team for the second time against England. But nonetheless, they’ve taken care of these opponents with ease and with Lionel Messi running the show; Maradona might just have to start getting ready for a run across Buenos Aries…

Germany has been remarkable in this tournament. Many were predicting the end for a youthful squad with old stars and mid-range performers, but now they will be eating their words as they have depicted the cream of counter attacking football. Young stars like Oezil and Mueller along with the ever-present Klose, the Germans have a balanced mix of youth and experience that all teams would crave.

But, let’s see what the stats have to say.

Head to Head Clashes: 18

ARG: 8
(goals scored: 25)

GER: 5
(goals scored: 23)

DRAW: 5

AVG. GOALS P/GAME: 2.66

Whilst Argentina have a slightly better win-loss record between the two, it should be noted that at the same time, Germany managed to score almost the same amount of goals as the South Americans.

How’s each countries World Cup form been of late though? Here’s a brief look at how each respective team has fared during this campaign and at their last two World Cup outings as well as their All-Time World Cup Ranking. (*both team’s last World Cup’s were at Germany 2006 and South Korea/Japan 2002)

ARGENTINA

Played: 12
W: 8
D: 3
L: 1
Win: 66%
Avg. Goals Scored P/Game: 1.91
Avg. Goals Conceded P/Game: 0.58
All-Time WC Ranking: 4^th – W53%/L28% -15 Appearances – For/Against: 120/74 = +46

GERMANY

Played: 18
W: 13
D: 2
L: 3
Win: 72%
Avg. Goals Scored P/Game: 2.05
Avg. Goals Conceded P/Game: 0.61
All-Time WC Ranking: 2^nd – W60%/L20% – 17 Appearances – For/Against: 195/115 = +80

Contrasting stats there, each team seeming to have the edge over the other in certain areas. But no doubt that Germany has the stronger record at World Cup’s in general. That will duly be tested when they come up against Argentina.

This one has goals written all over it, but considering the way such games have gone this World Cup (aka Brazil v Portugal), we’ll go for a surprisingly-low, 1-0 victory to the Germans. Let’s hope that Paul the octopus agrees with us too!!

I’m Back… Robben fired Oranje to victory.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men were less convincing than the Samba boys from Brazil, but with the return of an energetic Arjen Robben, they looked much better than in the group stages. The win continues their unbeaten run stretching remarkably back to 2008 when they were defeated by Australia at home.

Meanwhile in Johannesburg, Juan, Luis Fabiano and Robinho were on hand to score an impressive win over Chile. The victory was ever more notable as Chile had endured a decent group stage. The smaller of the South American sides came out firing though and dominated early. But once Brazil stemmed the tide, it was one-way traffic from there on.

So now we have two sides that are in great form that will set up a great clash on July 3^rd at Port Elizabeth.

But what do the stats say about these two teams?

If they’re any guideline, it’ll be a very close game as most are predicting. As can be seen below, the two have played nine games, Brazil edging it with three victories compared with Netherlands two, with four draws. The South Americans have also scored one more goal than the Dutch.

Head to Head Clashes: 9

BRA: 3
(goals scored: 14)

NET: 2
(goals scored: 13)

DRAW: 4

AVG. GOALS P/GAME: 3

The Netherlands are on a great run, and Brazil always turns up for these latter stages of the Cup so let’s look at each team’s record over this and the last two World Cups as well as their All-Time World Cup Ranking. (*Note that Brazil’s last two Cup appearances were at Germany/South Korea and Japan, whilst Netherlands’ were Germany/France.)

BRAZIL

Played: 16
W: 14
D: 1
L: 1
Win: 88%
Avg. Goals Scored P/Game: 2.25
Avg. Goals Conceded P/Game: 0.50
All-Time WC Ranking: 1^st – W69%/L15% – 19 Appearances – For/Against: 206/87 = +119

NETHERLANDS

Played: 15
W: 9
D: 4
L: 2
Win: 60%
Avg. Goals Scored P/Game: 1.53
Avg. Goals Conceded P/Game: 0.66
All-Time WC Ranking: 8^th – W48%/L26% – 9 Appearances – For/Against: 64/37 = +27

So as can be seen, Brazil hold a slight advantage in World Cup records over the last two World Cups, and it’s fair to say that after disappointing endings for both teams in 2006, both will want to claim a semi-final berth. It’s always nice to have a nice World Cup record (as Brazil do) but we all know that when it comes to the knockout stages a lot of these stats mean nothing.

As far as predictions go, we’re going for a tight 3-1 Brazilian win after extra time. Don’t be surprised to see this one go to penalties either.

Well lads, firstly, an interesting round of NRL action, what did you make of it and who impressed?

On Fire... Dragons started 2010 brightly (Nathan Fien is pretty excited anyway!)

Johnno – Super stuff really, great to see some good crowds out there, just hope it stays like that and doesn’t just fade away. Quality was pretty good for first round, considering there has been a lot of error ridden round one games in the past. Most impressive was probably Todd Carney, made me eat the words a little. That flick back for the assist was Slater/Inglis/Hayne like. I also liked Jamie Lyon and Jonathan Thurston’s performances in losing sides.

Gordon – Yeah, I’d have to agree, the quality was excellent first up, and it was interesting to see how some teams handled the pressure. I was impressed by a few players, Scott Dureau being one; he was super against the Dogs. Kevin Kingston and Adrian Purtell were on fire for the Panthers who I think are they dark horse for the premiership. The Rabbitohs were very disappointing though.

Alright, so now to 10^th, and after the action, who do you like?

Johnno – Souths. I didn’t like what I saw against the Roosters on the weekend. They’re about as close to being the best pack in the league as I am to shedding the Christmas pudding off the thighs. Sandow was a bright light and whilst Burgess was promising, but as a team they were awful.

Gordon: Tougher now after the weekend, but I’ll go with the Tigers. Yes, they beat the Sea Eagles and came back well, but I’m not 100% convinced. Down 20-4 they were getting romped. I like Gareth Ellis and a few of the forwards, I don’t think Lote will ever get back to his best, and the back line really isn’t that fear-striking.

What about the last team that won’t make finals then?

Wasted Potential... the Rabbit's didn't deliver.

Johnno – Definitely Manly. A good team with plenty of strike force, and really should of beat the Tigers. But I think especially after, what looks like, a serious injury to Brett Stuart, they could struggle. A lot is now riding on the shoulders of Jamie Lyon and Anthony Watmough, and I think they might buckle under the pressure, as we saw on Monday.

Gordon – Going with Souths. They were terrible on the weekend, but to prove it’s not always about first round, we see that a team like the Dragons who have lost so many first round games recently but still challenge for the title. They’ve got a solid pack, Sandow commanding the troops and the likes of Merrit on the wing, so the talent is there, but I don’t know if they’ll fulfil all the hype.

So now we’re into the finals spots, and who scrapes in?

Johnno – I’m sticking with Penrith. They’ve recruited well and obviously have something growing in the water down at CUA. Great talent in the squad and I think they will make finals after a long while out. However, I still think they might not be able to consistently compete with the ‘big boys’.

Gordon – Broncos. They copped a lot of stick pre-season, but for me, they are always an over-achieving side. No matter who they play they always seem to deliver to a certain point. They won’t be as strong as previous seasons, but they’ll have enough to make the cut.

Three more to go now, who’s in at 7^th?

Johnno – I’d have to go with the Bulldogs. I like the system and I think they can bounce back from round one, but not consistently enough. Can’t really see them putting long winning-streaks together and I think that will ultimately be the factor that sees them only finishing at 7^th. The difference this season being, people expect them to win.

Gordon – Bulldogs. They looked very lethargic on the weekend against a depleted Newcastle line up, and they showed some disappointing signs early on. Michael Ennis is no Hazem in the goal kicking service, so they might have to work harder for points. It could be touch and go for them really, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they ended up missing finals.

Pressure... Are the Knight's in for it in 2010?

Well we’re days away from the start of the National Rugby League calendar for 2010, and as we count down until Friday night, we here at Injury Time are predicting how we think the ladder might look come September.  I caught up with those Aussie hooligans Johnno and Gordon to find out their thoughts on the upcoming season.

So who’s getting the spoon lads?

Johnno – I’m going for a shock here, Newcastle Knights. They have the squad to suggest a much higher finish, however after such a pre-season, if you can call it that, I think it will affect the team as a whole. A lot of pressure is on captain reliable in Kurt Gidley and if continues to pick up injuries it could be a disaster.

Gordon – I like the Sharks for the spoon in 2010. They were horrendous last year, and I can’t see it getting much better. Barrett is past his prime and Gallen is getting on too. They also seemed to lose more ‘bigger’ names than they brought in so I think this might be the last time we see Ricky Stuart coaching in the NRL.

What about second from bottom?

Johnno – Canberra Raiders have this one in the bag. If they played all their games at home, they might actually go close to winning the thing. But the fact is, they hardly even turn up away from home, so it’ll be another wasted season for the men from the capital.

Gordon – Going for the Warriors here. They’ve lost the inspirational Stacy Jones and Denan Kemp is heading home. They have brought in Bret Seymour, but I doubt he will have much impact. They’ll have a strong forward pack as usual and cause the odd upset, but their creative in and around the halves might cost them.

Okay, next is 14^th and I believe you have gone for a big shock here, Johnno?

Johnno – Not much of a shock to me mate! You can whinge all you want Brisbane-ites, but you simply no longer have a team that is enviable. Some grunt lost through David Taylor and Tonnie Carroll, meanwhile Karmichael’s trade to shorter shorts means they have no genuinely feared full back. Sorry lads, Lockyer will have as big an impact as Ivan Henjak’s hair loss treatment and you’re going to need some rebuilding.

Travel Sickness... Raiders need to perform away from home.

Gordon – I’m going to go for the Raiders. They are the Central Coast Mariners of the NRL. Continually written off, but surprise the pundits each year. But after a terrible recruitment in the pre-season, I can’t see them competing away from home consistently. However, they have some good young players so keep an eye out for the likes of Dugan and Waddell.

13^th then?

Johnno – Cocka Doodle Do Son! That’s what I’ll be saying when Braith Anasta and the Roosters gets pumped every game this season. I’ll back Toddy Carney making a strong return, Perrett and Kenny-Dowall to be consistent. But that’s it. Nate Myles is overrated for me. Big time. They’ll be better than last year by a whisker.

Gordon – An upset of my own here, I’ll go for the Cowboys. The men from the north really have the potential to do better, but way to much is on JT’s back. Bowen and co. are dangerous when they have confidence, but I can’t see many of their influential players being on the field for long stints. Willie Mason, well, I don’t rate him in honesty. His time was up last season.

We’ve reached a quarter from last, who’s the pick for 12^th?

Johnno – The Warriors will take twelfth this year. They have a strong pack and they’ll be the backbone of the squad as usual. Steve Price to provide some inspiration in what I think might be his last year in the league. They’ll lose more than they’ll win, and it’ll be the same old, same old, across the ditch.