Betfair Specialists / 10 July 2010 Free Bet

EAMON DUNPHY

Germany will be very deflated after their semi final defeat. Muller will be back, but I thought Oezil and Khedira looked tired against Spain and Klose and Podolski are veterans anyway. Uruguay will have had an extra day's rest but this isn't a game I'd like to get involved in. If I was to have a bet, it would be for the draw.

Bets:
Draw at 3.8

ANDY GRAY

The key to the 3rd/4th play-off is always which team best recovers from the disappointment of having lost in the semis and can get themselves motivated for one last push. And for me that's likely to be Germany.

Uruguay have had a fantastic World Cup when you consider that many doubted they'd even get out of a tough-looking group made up of the hosts, an ever-consistent Mexico and the mercurial French. Diego Forlan in particular has been fantastic and there will be plenty of Old Trafford season ticket holders scratching their heads for the umpteenth time wondering why his spell there didn't work out. Luis Suarez was in fine finishing form and there are a couple of other players whose stock has risen in this tournament and will deservedly be in demand by Europe's big clubs. The problem for this team is that it is a somewhat ageing bunch of players who will have viewed this tournament as their big chance and I'm not sure they will approach this play-off with quite the same appetite and commitment shown in previous games.

It's a different story for Germany. They're a very young squad and we'll be seeing plenty more from the likes of Thomas Muller and Mezut Ozil in future editions so the disappointment of that defeat against Spain will be countered by a desire to end this tournament on a high.

Forlan, Muller and Miroslav Klose are all on four goals and in hot pursuit of Wesley Sneijder and David Villa (who have five each) for the Golden Boot so they'll be desperate to score and give themselves a chance of at least sharing it. That and the fact that the pressure is off in this sort of game should mean goals and I'd be very surprised if it doesn't break the 2.5 goals barrier.

Recommended Bets:
Back Germany to win in 90 minutes at 1.83
Back over 2.5 goals at 1.76

MARCEL MERCIAK

Losing just the last step before the final is certainly the most painful loss there is, so in a way this "little final" will feature the two most disappointed teams. Playing at home four years ago the Germans had a strong motivation to beat Figo's Portugal, but it will be much more difficult to find it this time. They overcame the shadows of the past and showed great promise for the future - and yet they miss the final due to a single unfortunate corner.

Joachim Loew pledged to properly rouse the team after their semi final defeat and it is difficult to believe that the Germans would loose 3 out of 7 matches at the World Cup finals. Indeed, if they manage to contain Diego Forlan and his set pieces, plus Friedrich and Mertesacker keep a watchful eye on Suarez, they should prevail. On the other hand I can't remember a single moment, when Uruguay allowed their opponents to score on the counter attack. The hard working midfield "cleaners", Egidio Areval and Diego Perez (plus perhaps Walter Gargano), can indeed put up a struggle even against the young and speed-oriented German team.

Also Miroslav Klose has a chance to make his mark in this match - he can level and surpass Ronaldo's record to become the best World Cup scorer ever! He seems to have some problems with his back, but such an opportunity doesn't come around twice.

Recommended bets:
Back Germany to win @ 1.81
Back Suarez to score

ANDERS BAY
It didnt end up with a spot in the final but still Germany has been the positive surprise of this tournament. The humiliation of Argentina is for me one of the best matches so far and Lws and co. have made a lot of new friends.
Uruguay has won many hearts too. We all like when one of the small countries starts to mingle with the favorites. Still I dont doubt that Germany will end this tournament taking the bronze. The difference of bronze and 4th place is huge and I am sure the German players will show the needed professionalism to get the job done.

Bet:
Germany to win at odds 1.81

JONAS DAHLQUIST

What's a bronze medal worth? Well, the team that values it the most are also the team that are going to win it, I think. It is very much down to motivation. Germany are very disappointed not to be in the final, where they believe they should've been. Uruguay, on the other hand, are probably pretty happy with still playing in the tournament. So, will the happy Uruguay beat the pissed off Germany? Of course not. Germans are bred to win things, and this entertaining team will definitely be eager to show that they got away with something. In my eyes, they are also worth it.

Bets:
Germany to win @ 1.79