World Cup Round of 4

Brazil are appealing the Thiago Silva suspension which seems pointless.

Much as I think Brazil have been harshly rated until now, I think Germany will have too much for them. The Germans have had defensive problems but Hummels restored an awful lot of security against France and Lahm being back there is very helpful, along with the opportunity it creates for the Schweinsteiger-Khedira partenership to be restored.

It’s basically Willian or Bernard to replace Neymar. I’m guessing it will be the former but it’s a serious downgrade anyway. Add him to Fred, Oscar and Hulk - all of whom are struggling for either form or ability and it’s an extremely impotent looking attack.

Interesting to see whether Germany stick with Klose. He didn’t do an awful lot against France but he created so much more space for Muller and Ozil that it paid off. Without him, I think Germany are an awful lot more predictable. Kroos is too interested in lateral passing to be a real threat at #10 and that’s accentuated if the striker is a player who likes to drift wide like Muller.

Prediction: Brazil 0 Germany 2

Two good articles on brazil. The first on the reaction to their approach in the quarter final and the second on neymar.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/bobbymcmahon/2014/07/06/neymars-injury-and-brazils-brutality-against-colombia-at-world-cup-an-alternate-view/

http://www.si.com/soccer/planet-futbol/2014/07/06/neymar-brazil-world-cup-injury-cultural-significance

I’m expecting Germany and Argentina to progress.

I share those same views.

Argentina will win by a goal.

Holland and Brazil for this bear.

Germany and Argentina final.

Brazil v Argentina final I fear.

Who is likely to replace Silva in defence?

Holland v Germany final.

I agree with my learned friend.

A brazil v Argentina final would be ferocious fun. There’d be Tour de France levels of cheating.

it would be up there with the german v argentina final in 1990 where the Argies just went out for a row…

Would be vicious.

Hopefully Germany-Argentina.
I want to see the Brazilian melt down, and the Dutch are cunts.

Argentina will beat the Dutch. I am basing this on the two games of FIFA I played last night, one using each team.
Argentina beat me 1-0 when I was using the Dutch, then when using Argentina, I beat the Dutch on penalties.
Argentina will win in extra time.

I will use the same methodology after work this evening to determine the winner of Brazil and Germany.

I haven’t a rashers who is going to progress.

I hope Germany beat the tar out of Brazil. If David Luiz gets a world cup winners medal I will throw away all my replica jerseys, football boots and shinpads.

[QUOTE=“Piles Hussain, post: 979019, member: 363”]Argentina will beat the Dutch. I am basing this on the two games of FIFA I played last night, one using each team.
Argentina beat me 1-0 when I was using the Dutch, then when using Argentina, I beat the Dutch on penalties.
Argentina will win in extra time.

I will use the same methodology after work this evening to determine the winner of Brazil and Germany.[/QUOTE]

http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/53a09a49eab8ea261b0bc4fd-480/paul-the-octopus.jpg

Bah, he was a rank amateur. No method at all.
Bosh, flimshaw.

[QUOTE=“Piles Hussain, post: 979025, member: 363”]Bah, he was a rank amateur. No method at all.
Bosh, flimshaw.[/QUOTE]

Paul was a bit like Jose Mourinho.

His methods were a bit agricultural but you can’t argue with his record.