Germany to win the latest low-scoring final

In what is a nightmare for English football fans, Argentina and Germany will meet in the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil final, a repeat of the 1986 and 1990 title deciders.

Argentina won the 1986 FIFA World Cup Mexico final thanks to yet another superlative Diego Maradona performance but the legend was unable to inspire his team to victory in the 1990 FIFA World Cup Italy title decider that Germany won courtesy of a late penalty kick after dominating the match totally.

One thinks that Germany will win its fourth FIFA World Cup in Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Maracana Stadium because, quite simply, its form throughout the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil has been a notch or two above that of Argentina, which has been reliant on flashes of Lionel Messi brilliance.

One is not getting carried away with Germany’s 7-1 amazing defeat of the home nation in the first 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil semi-final. Brazil defended like a B-grade school side – Paris Saint-Germain must be wishing that it could return David Luiz to Chelsea – and Germany took advantage, scoring five goals before half time, including four in the space of seven minutes. One thought that Germany would be too strong for Brazil but one was not expecting Joachim Low’s team to win one of the most incredible games ever.

One can only imagine what beating Brazil 7-1 in Brazil feels like. One should remember that A Selecao were unbeaten at home since 2002 and, if one only counts competitive matches, they had not tasted defeat on Brazilian soil in 39 years – has done to the confidence of Germany’s players and coaching staff. Everyone in the Germany camp must feel invincible right now and, while too much confidence can be a bad thing, surely the positives of such feelings outweigh any negatives.

Germany must be thinking that if it can beat Brazil 7-1 in Brazil then it can beat Argentina, which has not really played well in any of its six 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil games, at a neutral venue. Stopping Messi will be key to Germany’s success but inferior sides to Die Mannschaft have limited the Argentina playmaker’s influence and the bottom line is that most of Messi’s mates are not in good form.

With regards to 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil final bets, odds of 2.38 with several bookmakers, including Betfred, Coral and Paddy Power, about Germany winning in normal time are acceptable. If one is looking to boost one’s potential payday then dutching Germany 1-0 and Germany 2-0 is an option that produces odds of around 4.42, while Die Mannschaft are 3.50 with many bookmakers, including Ladbrokes, Sky Bet and Totesport, to win to nil.

But the pick of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil final bets is under two and a half goals at odds of 1.57 with Bwin. Most FIFA World Cup finals are cagey affairs – five of the last six title deciders have gone under two and a half goals and the exception to the rule was France’s 3-0 win over Brazil in 1998 in which Les Bleus scored their third goal three minutes into second-half stoppage time – and this year’s edition has the makings of another low-scoring encounter.

Tips Summary

Germany v Argentina Under 2.5 goals (Ger 1-0/Ger 2-0) Germany win
13th July 20:00 GMT
Odds: 1.57 (dutched 4.42) 2.38
Where to Bet: Betfred, Coral, Paddy Power, Ladbrokes, Sky Bet, Totesport, Bwin