World Cup Final: Germany v Argentina Winner Tip

Comment consensus is that Germany need only to show up to claim the World Cup on Sunday evening. This would be a fair verdict if we only examine the semi-final performances, but if we look at the competition as a whole then it should be a close contest, and it could go the other way.

Joachim Low’s favourites (13/10 Bet365) have had two dazzling days at the office - a 4-0 hammering of Portugal and the 7-1 demolition of the hosts. But they have laboured at other times in Brazil.

The 2-2 draw with Ghana could easily have ended in an ignominious defeat given that the Africans blew a golden chance to go 3-1 up. In the round of 16, Algeria took Germany to extra time and threatened a famous upset. Even in the quarter-finals the 1990 champions relied on a goal from one of only three shots on target to progress.

And what of Argentina? They may not have entertained as many hoped, but they have remained defensively formidable having shut out all their opponents since the group stages ended, and that includes two periods of extra time.

Surprisingly, Alejandro Sabella’s boys actually average more attempts on goal per game (15.8) than their final opponents (14.7) as well. If the South Americans, backed by a huge travelling army of fans can rediscover their potency then they could cause an upset.

Argentina are 13/5 (WilliamHill) to win in 90 minutes, but we can sweeten the deal by taking them to triumph by one goal in what will surely be a tight contest at best odds of 4/1 with Paddy Power.