World Cup Predictions 2014: Semi-Final Predictions Based on Game Odds
By Gianni Verschueren, Featured Columnist
Rodrigo Abd/Associated Press
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Only four teams remain in the running for the 2014 World Cup, and any neutral football fan must be drooling at the prospect of watching Brazil, Germany, Argentina and the Netherlands in the semi-finals of the tournament.
All four teams have strong roots when it comes to the tournament and have fielded some of the best players in the history of the game. Not one of the teams lost even a single match in the group stage.
It truly is a dream slate of fixtures for fans, and the oddsmakers have taken notice. The difference in quality between all four teams is minimal, and the latest world title odds reflect that. Let's have a look at the numbers, courtesy of Oddsshark, and use them to predict the outcome of the matches.
Germany (+178) v Brazil (+184)
Oddsmakers are giving Die Mannschaft a slight advantage over the hosts, and much will have to do with the absence of star striker Neymar. Via ESPN's Dale Johnson, his impact on this Brazil squad can't be underestimated:
Argentina (+148) v Netherlands (+230)
Louis van Gaal and his Dutch team needed a penalty shootout to finally end the Cinderella run of a valiant Costa Rican side, and they'll now face an Argentine squad that finally looked like a World Cup contender against Belgium.
The Red Devils didn't play a great game, but Argentina's much-maligned defensive unit did an excellent job containing their danger men. For a defence that has looked sloppy at best so far in the tournament, such a performance is encouraging.