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.