Rio 2014

[pdupre1961]

Neymar won't play again in the WC, it seems...

That's disgraceful, biting Chiellini is trivial in comparison.

Brazil’s Neymar was ‘one inch away’ from being paralysed after Juan Zuniga challenge.

Seriously, is this not funny enough for anyone to comment.

The media the world over should be calling for a lifetime ban.

[giulio2010]

Believe or not this referee will help Brazil to beat Germany in the semifinal...
I am still wondering how is it possible that all world nations accept constantly FIFA corruption and crazy decisions like this one.

[Consty1]

Neymar won't play again in the WC, it seems...

That's disgraceful, biting Chiellini is trivial in comparison.

However, if Camilo Zuñiga gets away with this tackle then this world cup has been a complete failure. Unless, Messi's career is ended today, and then I will be happy.

What a bitter and twisted thing to say.

[speakers]

Neymar won't play again in the WC, it seems...

That's disgraceful, biting Chiellini is trivial in comparison.

Brazil’s Neymar was ‘one inch away’ from being paralysed after Juan Zuniga challenge.

Seriously, is this not funny enough for anyone to comment.

The media the world over should be calling for a lifetime ban.

I think you have to be a little realistic about the incident. You cannot ban him for life. What if he did not mean it? He had his eyes on the ball throughout the incident.
Now, the tw*t of a supporter who karate kicked me as I ran up the wing with the ball...he should be put to death

[gutuami]

Believe or not this referee will help Brazil to beat Germany in the semifinal...
I am still wondering how is it possible that all world nations accept constantly FIFA corruption and crazy decisions like this one.

Maybe but, it'd have to be a huge help. Brazilians are playing cheeky in comparison to germans and they are at home but it's time for them to loose. I guess we would have a final between Netherlands and Germany.
Anyway, I've done all the preparations for today's match: 2beers, 1can of popcorn and some crisps

[Euler]

Brazil quite large if you think they are similar skill, but Brazil with home advantage

[PeterLe]

Anyway, I've done all the preparations for today's match: 2beers, 1can of popcorn and some crisps

Like your style!
Ive tried to convince the Mrs to have a Brazilian Wax for the game..but she won't play ball.. (even offered to do it!)

[speakers]

Silly boys!
Interesting to see Germany and Brazil are exactly the same odds to win the tournament but Brazil are favourites for the game. Does that mean Brazil are more likely to win but in the event of extra time and penalties Germany are bound to go through?

[Zenyatta]

Believe or not this referee will help Brazil to beat Germany in the semifinal...
I am still wondering how is it possible that all world nations accept constantly FIFA corruption and crazy decisions like this one.

Folks may not be aware, but Brazil have never lost a game on home soil since 1975! Clearly, they've always made certain that everything (crowd, conditions, players and refs ) is in their favour well before the game is played.

People say that this Brazil side is average; sure but 'average' for Brazil is still damn good. As for Germany, they are a decent team who have played OK, but they are not outstanding either, they were lucky to win against France when the match stats clearly show France were the better side.

I can see Brazil dishing out a hiding to the Germans today, in fact, I predict Brazil to win comfortably in normal time.

Brazil 3, Germany 1

[Euler]

Just blogged this summary

It's, not surprisingly, being priced as a tight affair with only 2.20 goals in the market. There is little or no supremacy to either team. Bear in mind Brazil are 'at home' the market is giving the Germans a 0.40 head start in the match. I think that's unrealistic. We had a load of people in the office yesterday and I said that I felt 3's for Brazil was quite large, but I see it has contracted to 2.70's now. But the market is still giving them no home advantage. I guess it hinges on the injuries to Brazil and whether the Germans will act as party poopers, I guess that is not beyond their pragmatic remit.

What do the stats say?

We looked at our historical database of matches and found 36 matches that looked very similar.

The market is discounting a 36.2% chance of a Brazil win, a 33.3% chance of a Germany win and a 30.8% chance of a draw. Our historical data shows that a match like this has produced, in the past, a 33.3% chance of a 'home' win, a 36.1% chance of a away win and a 30.6% chance of a draw. This converts into odds of 3, 2.77 & 3.27 respectively.

The 'home' team has scored at least one goal in 77.8% of matches. The away team has scored at least one goal in 66.7% of matches. The market is forecasting 2.24 goals. Historically there have been 2.36 goals in similar matches according to our database.

The interesting thing about this data is that it in includes 'Home' bias. That is worth 0.40 goals. So a large basis of your decision on how to bet or trade this match this evening will be on weather you think you should or shouldn't apply the home advantage. That's this match in a nutshell.

[fortfield]

Goodbye Brazil, i reckon it'll be 2-0 Germany. Brazilian misery further compounded with Klose scoring the second in the 89th minute to go ahead of Ronaldo as the all time highest W.C scorer

[fortfield]

Folks may not be aware, but Brazil have never lost a game on home soil since 1975!

Must have dreamt John Barnes wonder goal at the Maracana in 1984, the first in a 2-0 victory for England

[Zenyatta]

I should have said 'never lost a competitive game' at home since 1975. They have lost friendlies, the last loss for Brazil on home soil was a friendly in 2002.

[fortfield]

Competitive games yes, thanks for clarification Zenyatta. Even so the record sounds more impressive than it is. Pre 1994 qualication in South America was a joke with some teams only having to play 4 (2 home, 2 away) games to qualify. Brazil didnt play any competitive games in the run up to the 98 or 2006 world cup and no qualification is needed for the Copa America. Stripped down then its not a record to fear.

This Brazilian side is also imo one of the worst in the last 40 years, reflected in the fact the overated Neymar is seen as their best player. They look there for the taking and it will only take a well organised disclipline side to beat them, all 3 of the other semi finalists are and can do that.

[Euler]

AUQ 18.5