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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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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HOLLAND v BRAZIL BETTING TIPS : FRI JUL 2nd 15:00 GMT

The Dutch haven’t really looked great going into this match. They’ve not yet come up against a great team, but have done just enough to get through.

However, Robben’s appearance in Holland’s last outing suggest that they do have enough skill to complement their hard working approach. That having been said, they don’t look great at the back and could well get overrun by a Brazil forward three consisting of Fabiano, Robinho and Nilmar.

In fact, I fully expect that to happen. But I do think the Netherlands will cling on in the first half.

Best Holland v Brazil Betting Tip
Draw/Brazil in Half-Time/Full-Time : 5.0 at Paddy Power – Free £25 Bet

URUGUAY vs GHANA BETTING TIPS: FRI JUL 2nd 19:30 GMT

Ghana have pretty much stumbled their way to the Quarter-Finals and they are missing a number of key players, including Kevin Prince-Boateng, for this clash with Uruguay.

In striker Asamoah Gyan, they do have genuine attacking talent, but consider this: Uruguay have conceded just one goal so far this tournament.

And, even if Ghana do score, I think Suarez and Forlan are capable of scoring more.

I take Uruguay to go through to the semi-finals, possibly winning 2-1.

Best Uruguay vs Ghana Betting Tips
Uruguay to win: 2.10 at Boylesports – Free £20 Bet
Over 2.5 Goals: 2.75 at Ladbrokes – Free Bet For New Customers

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PARAGUAY vs JAPAN BETTING TIPS: TUES JUN 29th 15:00 GMT

With Paraguay looking goal shy and Japan set up with one up top, I think the match between these two is going to be tight.

Paraguay won their group, conceding only one goal but scoring just three, and their record in qualifying for the tournament was similar so I just can’t see the goals flying in here either.

Japan look sharp on the break, but they’re not really set up to be a full-on attacking team, so I take under 2.5 goals to be my bet on this one.

Best Odds on Under 2.5 Goals: 1.57 at StanJames: £25 Free Bet

SPAIN v PORTUGAL BETTING TIPS: TUES JUN 29th 19:30 GMT

The question is: which Portugal will turn up? The one that destroyed North Korea or the one that played out a tiresome goalless draw with Brazil.

Defensively, Portugal have been extremely tight so far. In fact, they haven’t conceded a goal so far this tournament.

Spain, by contrast, haven’t really hit the heights they reached in the Euro 2008 tournament. In particular, forward Fernando Torres hasn’t looked fit and could be replaced by David Silva.

Either way, I’m not seeing goals in this one either. I think this is going to be one of those matches where the two teams cancel each other out over ninety minutes, so I’m taking the draw.

Best Spain v Portugal Betting Tips:
Draw: 3.25 at Bet365 – Up to £200 Free Bets
Under 2.5 Goals: 1.62 at Boylesport – Free £20 Bet

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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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PORTUGAL v BRAZIL BETTING TIPS: FRI JUN 25th 15:00 GMT

Portugal finally lived up to their potential in their last outing, spanking North Korea 7-0, with goals from 5 or 6 different players.

Don’t forget this was the same North Korea side that gained plaudits after a narrow 2-1 defeat at the hands of Brazil.

Does this mean that Portugal will turn over Brazil? Well, no, I don’t think so. Portugal were rotten in qualifying and rotten in their opening game, while Brazil have been, well, Brazil – just cruising along.

I can see this match being a narrow Brazil win, but I’d take Fabiano to score at anytime as my bet on this one.

Best Portugal vs Brazil Betting Tip:
Fabiano to score anytime: 2.88 at Boylesports – Free £20 Bet

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NORTH KOREA v IVORY COAST BETTING TIPS: FRI JUN 25th 15:00 GMT

The average number of goals in matches involving North Korea and Ivory Coast so far is 3.5 and I don’t see this one being any different. The battering ram that they call Didier Drogba should see that there are goals to be had here.

Best North Korea vs Ivory Coast Betting Tip
Over 2.5 Goals: 1.8 at Boylesport – Free £20 Bet

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SWITZERLAND vs HONDURAS BETTING TIPS: FRI JUN 25th 19:30 GMT

Switzerland have been well organised during this World Cup Finals and if Chile manage to beat Spain, they could still qualify for the knockout stages. Thus, manager Ottmar Hitzfeld will have his side up for this one.

By contrast, Honduras have been horrible so far with zero attacking presence and not much in the way of defence either. I think that Switzerland will nick this by the old goal and hope the other result goes their way.

Best Switzerland v Honduras Betting Tip
Switzerland to win: 1.57 at Bet365 – Up to £200 in Free Bets

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CAMEROON vs HOLLAND BETTING TIPS: THUR JUN 24th 19:30 GMT

As I mentioned, the Netherlands are already through to the next stage of the competition so I fully expect them to change things up a little in order to keep their best players fresh for the next round.

This means that the fit again Arjen Robben could still miss out, with Klaas Jan Huntelaar could come in to replace Robin Van Persie.

Cameroon, on the other hand, have failed to register a single point. Nevertheless, I felt they were a little unlucky to lose against Denmark and now that Paul Le Guen has decided to a) play his best players and b) play them in position, I think Cameroon could get something from this one.

I’m sticking my neck out, but I see Cameron getting a draw here.

Best Cameroon vs Holland Betting Tips
Cameroon To Draw: 3.75 at Bet365 – Up to £200 in Free Bets

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JAPAN v DENMARK BETTING TIPS: THURSDAY JUNE 24th 19:30 GMT

Either of these sides could qualify along with Holland and both will be going for the win.

However, Japan’s lone striker set up doesn’t really lend itself to the kind of attacking approach that I feel is needed to win this match.

With Dennis Rommedahl and Jesper Gronjkaer in the Denmark squad, the Danes have pace (if not always passing accuracy) down both wings and this, I think, is going to cause Japan problems as the match goes on.

I can also see Japan forward Honda getting increasingly isolated as Denmark put Takeshi Okada’s side under pressure in midfield. I can’t really see any other outcome than a Denmark victory, I’m afraid.

Best Denmark vs Japan Betting Tips:
Denmark to win: 2.20 at Bet365 – Up to £200 in Free Bets
Draw/Denmark in 1st Half/2nd Half: 5.50 at William Hill – Free Bet For New Customers

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There has been much talk during the week about a change to a 4-5-1 formation with Rooney playing as a lone striker. Whatever the formation, England are going to have to show more incisive passing and a better cutting edge to get past a Slovenia side who will surely be set up to defend.

One thing that is in England’s favour, however, is that Slovenia central defender Marko Suler is out with a rib injury. Not only that, but three other Slovenians, including defenders Cesar and Jokic, are one booking away from suspension. This is sure to make them a little wary of going full-on in the tackle and it is a weakness that England should be able to exploit.

Let’s face it: if the matches against USA and Algeria had never happened, then we would fully expect England to win comfortably here. And that is exactly how England have to play.

I expect a very, very tight first half, with England’s undoubtedly superior ability to finally show through in the second half. I think England will take a narrow win against Slovenia.

Best England v Slovenia Betting Tips

England to win: 1.50 at William Hill – Free Bet For New Customers
Draw/England in 1st Half/2nd Half: 4.50 at Stan James – Free £25 Bet
England to win 1-0: 6.00 At Boylesport – Free £20 Bet

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FRANCE v SOUTH AFRICA BETTING TIPS : TUES JUN 22nd 15:00 GMT

France and South Africa are in the strange position that, even if one of them wins, they could still be out of the World Cup Finals.

In theory, France should steamroller the South Africans and give themselves the best chance to qualify. Unfortunately, France seem to have imploded. Nicolas Anelka was sent home, the squad refused to train, a coach resigned. This is hardly the best preparation for a critical World Cup match.

Being perfectly honest, I just can’t call this one. I’d like to see South Africa win, but that’s just me. However, I don’t think this is going to be a goalfest. I see a nervy, tight game with one goal winning it.

Best France v South Africa Betting Tip:
Under 2.5 Goals: 1.80 at Bet365 – Up to £200 in Free Bets

MEXICO v URUGUAY BETTING TIPS : TUE JUN 22nd 15:00 GMT

The top two sides in Group A face each for the a place in the second round of the World Cup Finals. And guess what? Each needs only a draw to go through.

Can you guess what the result of this match is likely to be? Pile in on the draw and take a punt on 0-0 and 1-1 as well.

Best Mexico vs Uruguay Betting Tips
Match to be a Draw: 1.83 at Bet365 – Up to £200 in Free Bets
Full time Result: 0-0: 3.50 at Ladbrokes – Free Bet For New Customers
Full time Result: 1-1: 4.33 at Paddy Power – Free £25 Bet

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GREECE vs ARGENTINA BETTING TIPS: TUE JUN 22nd 19:30 GMT

Greece have looked pretty poor so far, only nicking a win against a 10 man Nigeria side. And yet, they are still in contention to qualify from Group B.

Their opponents this evening, Argentina, are pretty much there, unless the Greeks go goal crazy which is more than a little unlikely. So, I would expect Diego Maradona to rest a few key players, and bring in the likes of Milito and Aguero in place of Higuain and Messi.

This should still be enough to beat Greece, however and I expect the high attacking tempo Argentina have shown in the first half of their previous matches to be maintained here. I take Argentina/Argentina in the first half/second half market for this one.

Best Greece vs Argentina Betting Tips
Argentina/Argentina in 1st half/2nd half : 2.50 at 888Sport – £20 No Lose Bet Offer

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Also absent for Mexico is defender Efrain Juarez, who is suspended. Juarez, who has been playing as a holding midfielder, is set to be replaced by Israel Castro.

Aguirre is unlikely to make any additional changes to his starting XI.

Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez is also set to stick with the same starting side that beat South Africa 3-0 last time out. Nicolas Lodeiro returns after a one match ban, but the Ajax midfielder is likely to start on the bench.

Diego Forlan will again support striker Luis Suarez from a more withdrawn role as he did in their last World Cup group game.

KICK-OFF: TUESDAY JUNE 22nd 15:00 GMT

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