For sure, Uruguay have a number of key players missing – notably striker Luis Suarez and full back Jorge Fucile – but this is also true of Holland, who are missing the suspended Nigel De Jong and Gregory van der Wiel.

Furthermore, striker Robin Van Persie is not fully fit after suffering an elbow injury so I expect this match to be closer than many are predicting.

Holland’s defence hasn’t truly been tested and in Uruguay boss Oscar Tabarez replaces Suarez with someone pacier and less prone to constantly running offside, I think Uruguay could nick this.

I know I’m in the minority here, but I take Uruguay to win in 90 minutes.

Best Uruguay v Holland Betting Tip
Uruguay to win: 6.50 at William Hill – Free Bet For New Customers

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Suarez was suspended after handling the ball on the line in the match against Ghana. The diminutive Sebastian Fernandez is the man most likely to come in to provide some pace against a sluggish Holland defence.

Also rated doubtful for Uruguay is skipper Diego Lugano, while midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro has a broken shoulder and will play no part in this match. Also missing is full back Jorge Fucile.

Bert Van Marwijk, the Holland boss, will be pleased that Robin Van Persie elbow injury isn’t as bad as first feared and the striker is set to start for Holland.

Suspended for the Netherlands are midfielder Nigel De Jong and defender Gregory van der Wiel. Most likely to take their places are Demy de Zeeuw and former Chelsea full back Khalid Boulahrouz.

KICK-OFF: TUESDAY JULY 6th 19:30 GMT

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Podolski has a thigh injury and will face a late fitness test before kick-off. If Podolski doesn’t make it, his place is set to be taken by Stefan Kiessling as Brazilian born Cacau is definitely sidelined with an abdominal injury.

Otherwise, there are likely to be no changes for Loew’s side from the one that comprehensively beat England in the last round.

Argentina boss Diego Maradona is hopeful that playmaker Lionel Messi has sufficiently recovered from a virus to start this match.

Walter Samuel has overcome his injury and will start at centre half with Nicolas Burdisso the man most likely to make way.

Also back in contention is veteran Juan Sebastian Veron, but Maxi Rodriguez looks set to keep his place in the centre of midfield. Veron may have to be content with a place on the bench.

KICK-OFF: SATURDAY JULY 3rd 15:00 GMT

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ARGENTINA v GERMANY BETTING TIPS: SAT JUL 3rd 15:00 GMT

Germany and Argentina are the two teams still in the finals that score goals. Argentina, in particular, have a frightening array of attacking talent – Higuain, Messi, Tevez, Milito, Aguero. These are all out and out goalscorers.

Germany, too, are not shy about putting the ball in the back of the net. There is some doubt about the fitness of Lukas Podolski and Brazilian born Cacau, but Klose, Muller and Stefan Keissling are all capable of getting on the scoresheet.

For me, this match is more about the number of goals and who scores them than who eventually emerges victorious. I fully expect both Klose and Higuain to get a goal in a high scoring, exciting match.

Best Argentina v Germany Betting Tips

Higuain to score anytime: 2.63 at Boylesports – Free £20 Bet
Klose to score : 3.50 at Ladbrokes – Free Bet For New Customers
Over 2.5 goals: 2.10 at Boylesports – Free £20 Bet

PARAGUAY vs SPAIN BETTING TIPS: SAT JUL 3rd 19:30 GMT

While Paraguay are possibly the weakest team still left in the competition, they don’t really concede goals. Their last three matches have been won to nil and their qualifying campaign went pretty much the same way.

Spain, even with the likes of Fernando Torres and David Villa, haven’t exactly been goal machines at this finals, so I don’t see this match being any different. I think a low scoring win for Spain is the most likely outcome, so under 2.5 goals is probably the best bet here.

Best Paraguay v Spain Betting Tip
Under 2.5 Goals: 1.65 at Bet365 – Up to £200 in Free Bets

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Definitely sidelined for Uruguay is defender Diego Godin, who picked up a thigh injury in the victory over South Korea. Mauricio Victorino, who replaced Godin in the previous match, comes in again.

Also out is midfielder Alvaro Pereira who will be replaced by Alvaro Fernandez.

The front three of Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani and Diego Forlan will remain intact.

Ghana boss Rajevac will be pleased that striker Asamoah Gyan is fit enough to start, despite an ankle knock in training.

Doubtful, however, is midfielder Kevin Prince-Boateng, who has a thigh problem.

With midfielder Dede Ayew suspended, Inter midfielder Sulley Muntari could start his first match of the finals, after reports of clashes with the coach.

KICK-OFF: FRIDAY JULY 3rd 19:30 GMT

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Elano has an ankle injury and will sit this one out. Nilmar is the man who comes in as he did in Brazil’s last match against Chile.

With Santos Ramires suspended, Felipe Melo is the man most likely to come into midfield, although Melo himself has a knock.

Julio Baptista is also someway short of full fitness, but may start on the bench for Dunga’s side.

With Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder both fit and in form, Rafael Van Der Vaart will again be on the bench for Van Marwijk’s Holland.

Despite reacting angrily to being substituted, Robin Van Persie looks most likely to lead the line with Huntelaar having to be satisfied with a place on the bench.

Van Marwijk is unlikely to make any changes from the team that beat Slovakia.

KICK-OFF: FRIDAY JULY 3rd 15:00 GMT

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Torres hasn’t scored in the 2010 Finals so far and has looked far from fit. His place could be taken by David Silva if Spain coach Vincent Del Bosque reverts back to the 4-5-1 formation he used in Spain’s opening world cup match.

Rated doubtful is midfielder Xabi Alonso, who has an ankle problem. Javi Martinez is the man most likely to step in.

Definitely out, however, is centre back Raul Albiol who also has an ankle injury.

Portugal boss Carlos Queiroz will bring Deco back into the starting XI after the player recovered from a hip problem. He will replace Danny, who is out with a thigh strain.

Also out is Ruben Amorim who, like Danny, has a thigh injury.

KICK-OFF: TUESDAY JUNE 29th 19:30 GMT

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Having suffered no injuries or suspensions thus far, Japan manager Takeshi Okada is set to name an unchanged side with Keisuke Honda once again playing as a lone striker.

Centre back Tulio Tanaka has overcome the back problem that meant he couldn’t train with the rest of the players and is also set to start.

Out for Paraguay is the suspended Victor Ceceres. His place is likely to be taken by Carlos Bonet.

Gerardo Martino may choose to freshen up his frontline after a 0-0 draw with New Zealand saw many chances squandered.

Roque Santa Cruz, Nelson Valdez and Oscar Cardozo formed a three man attack in that match, but one could be dropped in favour of Lucas Barrios.

Defender Antolin Alcaraz, who has just completed a move to Wigan Athletic, returns from injury and is set to start against Japan.

KICK-OFF: TUESDAY JUNE 29th 15:00 GMT

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Germany are a young-ish side with a great deal of talent. However, talent doesn’t necessarily get you goals.

Unfortunately for the Germans, Brazilian born striker Cacau is injured, so Klose and Podolski are the most likely starting forwards. Both men have scored in this tournament, but neither are coming in off a good season.

Also likely to be out is Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger. The 25 year old is a key player for the Germans and his absence means that Germany will lack a little both going forward and without the ball.

This may be mitigated by the form of Mesut Özil, but these are the players that will dictate the pace and style of Germany. If Schweinsteiger isn’t fit, I think England will be able to take care of Ozil. Isolate him and England will have a significant advantage.

It appears that England boss Fabio Capello is likely to name the same starting XI that beat Slovenia. I would expect the English to start quickly and try to grab an early goal. The superior experience of the England team should mean that they could hold an early lead.

I’m not 100% confident but I take England to win the first half. After that, it’s anybody’s game.

Best England vs Germany Tips and Betting Odds
England to win First Half: 3.40 at Bet365 – Up to £200 In Free Bets

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Although centre backs Ledley King and Jamie Carragher are fit and free from suspension, Capello is set to stick with John Terry and Matthew Upson as his preferred central defensive pairing.

Capello is also set to stick with a midfield foursome consisting of Gareth Barry, James Milner, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard.

Upfront, there is some concern over the fitness of Wayne Rooney after the Man United man sustained an ankle injury in England’s victory over Slovenia. However, the Manchester United striker is thought to be sufficiently fit to start. After his goal against Slovenia, Jermain Defoe is set to partner Rooney, with Heskey and Crouch on the bench.

Joachim Loew’s Germany side welcome striker Miroslav Klose back from suspension. With Brazilian born forward Cacao out, Klose’s return is timely and the striker is set to partner Lukas Podolski in attack for the Germans.

Rated doubtful is influential midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger – who has a thigh strain – and Jerome Boateng who has a calf injury. However, one of the stars of the 2010 World Cup so far, Mesut Ozil has overcome an ankle injury of his own and will start for Germany.

KICK-OFF: SUNDAY JUNE 27th 15:00 GMT

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