World Cup 2014 semi-final preview: Brazil v Germany

Brazil have always beaten Germany when the two giants of world football have met in tournament football. Three wins from three is a formidable record, so the Samba Boys are narrow 17/10 favourites to enhance that with another victory in 90 minutes.

Phil Scolari is without star attacker Neymar, however, after he broke a vertebrae in his back in the quarter-final clash with Colombia. Both Brazil and Germany are rated equal 10/11 chances with Coral to advance.

Samba Boys skipper Thiago Silva, despite a late appeal, is likely to sit out through suspension after picking up a second booking of the tournament. It’s 9/5 that Germany can capitalise on his absence from defence and win in 90 minutes. A draw in normal time, meanwhile, is 11/5.

Die Mannschaft manager Joachim Low has spoken out about a perceived lack of flair in Brazilian ranks. “They’re playing more robustly than any other team here,” he said.

“There’s little left of that traditional Brazilian style of football. At the end of the day, it’s up to the referee to come up with the correct punishment.”

Robust or not, this World Cup on home soil is about results for Big Phil and his side. The above history can give them confidence, but Low also reckons Neymar’s injury will spur the Samba Boys on. “[His] teammates will want to win the World Cup for him,” the Germany gaffer added. “They’ll derive strength from that.”

It’s to the likes of Bernard, Fred, Hulk and Chelsea duo Oscar and Willian that Scolari will be looking that to fill Neymar’s shoes. Don’t discount David Luiz, who looks set to captain the side with Silva banned, either.

The new £40m PSG recruit has netted in both knockout rounds for Brazil. Back Luiz to be on target yet again, especially because of his set piece nous, at tasty odds of 6/1. Of the five names above, Willian, who has shaken off a back injury sustained in training, looks appealing at 11/2 in the anytime (in 90 minutes) market, because he offers more in his all-round game than the diminutive Bernard.