Have I missed something ?

Everyone is suddenly rather impressed with Germany, but, at the risk of sounding like a broken record, have they really beaten very much so far ?

A poor Costa Rica, an Ecuador b team and Sweden, who were never at the races, they scored early in each of these contests and won them all, comfortably. The only match where they failed to score in the first 6 minutes was against an average Poland side, who were reduced late in the game to ten men, it took an injury time goal to seal the victory for the Germans.

So, is this the secret, stay with them early ? Maybe, it would certainly help. They have yet to be put under any real pressure, think that there is a steel about this Argentine side and they will not wilt under the expectation of a German nation, expectation that was not there two weeks ago. Has everyone forgotten the gaping holes in the german defence exposed by Italy, Japan and even Costa Rica in recent games ?

Any similar lapses here will be severely punished, Argentina have, by far, the best goals scored to shots ratio, of any team in the World Cup. Scoring at a rate of one goal for every 4 chances created.

Argentina were everyone's idea of the winner after they demolished Serbia and Montenegro, they followed this with a professional display against Netherlands and by beating a very technically gifted Mexican side, well coached and playing at their peak. Not sure what they have done wrong.

How many of the German starting eleven would even make the Argentine squad ? Ballack and Lehman, probably, anyone else ? Would Klose or Podolski EVER be chosen ahead of Crespo, Saviola, Tevez or Messi ? Don't even bother answering that.

Just do not see them losing to Jurgen Klinsmann's side and at level ball +1.20 or more, they are a terrific bet, in my book they are favourites. They have so many options, no other team in the world would even contemplate leaving one of Aimar, Tevez and Messi on the bench, let alone all three.

This could be a classic, we should see goals, I expect the match to go "over" but will stick with the "dnb" on Argentina, my biggest bet of the tournament so far.

6 points Argentina level ball 2.205 asian line.

Good Luck.