Germany-Argentina 2014 World Cup final preview

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Germany are looking to become the first European nation to win the World Cup in South America on Sunday when they enter the final as favourites to beat Argentina.

Germany are 4/1 to win the World Cup with William Hill – exclusive offer for new customers only.

Joachim Löw’s side enter the match as the tournament’s top scorers with 16 goals in their six matches, which has seen Miroslav Klose become the World Cup’s all-time top goalscorer and Thomas Müller close to becoming the first player to win the Golden Boot twice.

Defensive, the Germans have also been solid since either side of their 2-2 draw with Ghana. They kept clean sheets in the group stage against both Portugal (4-0) and the USA (1-0), whilst their second round victory against Algeria only see them concede a stoppage time consolation (2-1). France barely tested Manuel Neuer in the quarter-final (1-0), whilst Brazil scored the last goal in the semi-final (7-1).

Argentina will certainly struggle to break down this solid Germany defence that is protected by both Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sami Khedira in front of their back four. Alejandro Sabella’s side have only scored two goals in their 330 minutes in the knock-out rounds.

Credit must go to the Argentine coach who has tightened up his defence since the group stage when it looked leaky – heading into the final without conceding a goal in 373 minutes since Ahmed Musa’s second for Nigeria.

Keeping a clean sheet against Germany appears to be an impossible task for Sabella on Sunday, whilst his attacking talents have yet to impress as a unit in this competition. Both Lionel Messi and Ángel di María may be amongst the nominees for the player of the tournament, but they have not gelled with Gonzalo Higuaín, Sergio Agüero and Ezequiel Lavezzi up front.

Reaching the final in 2014 means Germany have made the World Cup final at least once in each of the past seven decades. Winning it would mean they join Italy in joint-second by winning it for the fourth time – one less than Brazil.

Top Predictions

Germany to win the World Cup – 4/1 (enhanced offer for new customers only)
Messi to score anytime – 4/1

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