Argentina vs Germany – expect a goal glut as rivalry is resumed
Published:Argentina start their mouthwatering quarter-final with Germany as 6/5 favourites, but both sides’ recent form suggests that this tie could go beyond 90 minutes.
Germany were outstanding in their 4-1 dismantling of England, and Joachim Low’s side will be the toughest opposition yet for Argentina at the World Cup.
Argentina are the tournament’s top scorers with 10 goals so far, with Germany close behind on nine. The sides are also similarly vulnerable in defence, and the draw is 11/5.
Argentina’s centre-back Martin Demichelis has been criticised for some unconvincing displays at the World Cup, though he will be well acquainted with the German attack.
Miroslav Klose is a team-mate of Demichelis’s at Bayern Munich, and the striker is 8/1 to add to his two goals of the tournament with the first strike against Argentina.
There are doubts about the German defence as well, and Per Mertesacker’s lack of pace and agility could prove costly against the speedy likes of Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez.
The teams last met in a friendly match in March, when a solitary Gonzalo Higuain goal gave Maradona’s side a 1-0 win at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena. Higuain is 9/2 to score first in Cape Town.
When the teams collided at the quarter-final stage of the 2006 World Cup, the ill feeling between them spilled over into a brawl after Germany won on penalties.
Low’s side are 10/1 to win by the same means this time, and the German captain Philipp Lahm has stoked the tension by accusing Argentina of being bad losers.
The game ended 1-1 after 90 minutes four years ago, but with both sides’ apparent insistence on gung-ho attacking football at the expense of defensive solidity, there should be a flurry of goals.
With Maradona and Low’s philosophies in mind, a match goal total over 3.5 goals seems well worth backing at 5/2.
Can Germany edge Argentina again? They are 12/5 to win inside 90 minutes. See the full Argentina vs Germany market.
