Did that octopus also predict Serbia-Germany correctly?

Yes. I think the last time he was wrong was 2008 euro final.

The octopus has spoken.

How did Spain's odds NOT plummet after the octopus had spoken

lol. I'am going to wait till last minute to take holland for fun. Spain has made me money this world cup but I hate them for some reason.

http://g.sports.yahoo.com/soccer/wor...urn=sow,254898

lol @ the octopus has some oposition as the parakeet has predicted holland. also it says he took 10 mins to pick Germany as a 3rd place finisher. I'am thinking Germany wins in extra time or Penalty kicks.

I got on Germany-1 early now it looks like Podolski, Lahm, Klose and Neuer are all out.

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2890/...ry-and-illness

Pinny did take off the Klose line to score a goal, but the Podolski one is still there so maybe he'll play. I took Germany ml -125 earlier for quite a bit but it's -104 now with half the squad missing. No wonder the octopus took 15min to decide the winner, he had to factor in the flu/injuries.

im screw as well. i got Germany -1 before this news come out. sigh

Seems like uruguay is very motivated today. They subbed Forlan to save him for this match. I heard Germany's coach called in sick today...

Have these factors already been calculated into the odds sufficiently? How unmotivated is the German team? I remember one of our best WC's ever with the Netherlands in 1998. We lost the 3rd place match 4-0 to croatia.

Just going with Uruguay 3-way for 4/+300 1U and Uruguay 3rd place 2.84/+184 1.5U

GOOOOOOOOOOL GERMANIA!!!!!

thing is looking good for Germany. 2 more goal plz germany.

germany needs some subs imo, I'd ratehr have a dying Podolski than Cacau up there

edit: omg tytyty Sami ; whatta sweat so far.

it's gonna be a sweat, hooooooooooold Ger one time

+1

Paul the octopus is right one more time hahaha all my money will go to SPAIN 2morrow

Awesome stuff. I'm big too on Spain to win wc at -163, just trail the octopus imo, even in the experimental phase.

lol at the folks betting Germany

but the octopus.....

This is... perhaps... what Cinch thinks of himself.

Germany has at least a 2-goal advantage purely because Muslera was in goal.

tomorrow the big game.

Although I am Dutch I try to be objective when it comes to sportsbetting.

I am currently favoring 2 bets:

Over 2.5 goals
On 2.66 clear value. Both teams like to attack. They both have clear quality. No idea why the line is zo high. Probably has to do with the fact that spain does not score/concede much goals. Still thye played defensive minded opponents. This game is different.

Holland to win @ 4

I am going for the Dutch to win. I agree Spain is the small favorite bot not bu this much. Why? Although technically spain has shown great qualities. They find it difficult to find the net. Scoring 6 times in 6 matches. additionally not creating many chances either. Playing well against germany but ifwe look at the number of chances created. Ones villa with a big chance, two shots from outside the box and at the end pedro (when germany had to attack). I agree they probably have more chances against the dutch but still Spain has not shown me to be very efficient.

The Dutch on the other hand seems to grab the opportunities they get. They keep on trying to take the opportunities as it comes a long. Also this is the first much in which holland is against an attacking squad. Even brasil played with 7 players behind the ball. This will be different in this match.

I wonder how capdevilla does against robben. Because Xavi and iniestia are defensively vulnerable. On the other hand we have kuyt who will follow ramos all around the pitch,

Spain however will put tremendous pressure on the Dutch defence but if the defence can hold it and Robbe/sneijder/van persie can give the spain defence a heap of troubale, i predict the Dutch to win

Wow sick day for moi today. Hit all kinds of overs and Germany. So sad this has to end.

Netherlands tomorrow. One time

Rolo, nice analysis.

A few points if I may. Xavi and Iniesta would not be described as defensively vulnerable. They keep the ball more than any duo in football for club and country so there is less time for opposition to in fact create chances against them. Also, Busquets and Alonso are there so that they do not need to worry and have played this way to good effect all tournament (and Xavi, Iniesta + Busquets have done the same all year for Barca).

I agree that Kuyt may follow Ramos but since he is a right back, they will find other avenues if he is shut out. In fact the reason he has so much space for Real and Spain is that people must defend against wandering players such as Ronaldo and to a lesser extent Higuain. I see him having as much of the ball as he has had in previous matches. Maicon is a similar example. Kuyt is welcome to mark Ramos in Holland's penalty area when he pops up but I'm not sure how that will help Holland's goal expectancy.

I think an interesting point is the clubs for which the teams play for.

Spain: Only one player does not play for Barcelona or Real (Capdevilla). I suppose Villa just joined but you get the point. Xavi's best playing partner is Iniesta - Busquets and Pedro play well as a unit with them too. Casillas has Ramos to his right and the knowledge that two of the best CBs in the world play for Barca who he has played against (and with for spain many times). Fit or not fit, it is no surprise to see Torres a little off the pace.

Holland: I count 9 different teams. I'm not sure they have taken all their chances either and although they deserved the victory against Brazil, I think Brazil were more at fault.

Holland do not create enough chances when the game is level (things are different when they lead in a knockout competition). Japan, Brazil and Uruguay all had more shots than Holland. Cameroon had the same amount and they only outshot Denmark and Slovakia (narrowly). Yes they have been clinical but from a viewing perspective and not a statistical perspective, I believe Villa is a far better striker than Van Persie (obviously). Robben has been excellent but when he gets less of the ball than he's used to, the match will be different. If we compare Spain's shots on goal, I think you'll admit they do create chances. They outscored Switzerland 24-8, Honduras 22-9, Portugal 19-9, Paragauy 16-9 and Germany 13-5 and drew with Chile. This stat almost proves that they can create chances against attacking teams and defensive teams. They have not allowed more than 9 shots at goal, mostly because their opponents never have the ball. I think the Germany and Portugal games make Spain's path to the final even more impressive - they won rarely out of second gear.

I don't think there is any value at all although I will try to find some on the spreads again. However, I don't think you can go far wrong with 1.57: Spain to lift the World Cup.