Preview of semi-final 2: Spain v Germany

This is a repeat of the Euro 2008 final which Spain won 1-0. The Germans will no doubt be wanting revenge for this on an arguably bigger stage! From my calculations these two countries have only faced each other seven times in either World Cup or European Championship history. The 3 world cup clashes have resulted in two German wins and a draw, the four European Championships have seen two wins each. Germany have won the World Cup 3 times which is the third best record of all countries - they hope to win this one and join Italy on four titles. Spain have never even made the semi-finals. They did finish fourth once (in 1950) but that was the World Cup that was decided by a final group stage.

In this edition of the FIFA World Cup both Germany and Spain had two wins and one loss in the Group stage. However both teams opening games couldn't have been more different. Germany opened with a scintillating 4-0 win over Australia, Spain suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at the hands of Switzerland. Germany's defeat came at the hands of Serbia in their second game. Interestingly both sides who beat Germany and Spain did not manage to take the second qualifying spot in their group.

In the second round and the quarter-final Germany prospered with two big wins: 4-1 over England and 4-0 over Argentina. They produced some breathtaking football. Spain on the other hand had a narrow 1-0 victory over Spain in a tight affair, and spluttered 1-0 past a Paraguay side who were not only hard to break down but were unlucky not to be ahead at half-time. Spain shouldn't be worried by the differences in their wins though. Past results count for nothing and no-one will be taking anything for granted for tomorrow morning's game.

Both countries have exceptional sides. Spain, the pre-tournament favourite boast an excellent goalkeeper in Casillas, a very good defence (particularly Ramos and Pique) and a mesmerising midfield with the likes of Xavi, Iniesta, Alonso and Busquets. The brilliant Fabregas may get a chance to start ahead of Torres who has been looking rusty on his injury comeback trail. Villa has five World Cup goals this tournament and will be looking to add to his tally as the race for the Golden Boot hots up. Spain have scored 6 this tournament and Villa has 5 of them - which shows how important he is for the side. They have conceded two.

Germany's strength comes particularly from their young guns in midfield/attack. Bastian Schweinsteiger has had a superb tournament in the defensive midfield role, Özil has been a revelation, Khedira has looked quality and Müller has complemented an all-round game with a few goals. Klose has profited from the midfield service to score some good goals. In contrast to Spain they have scored 13 (seven more) and conceded two. The thirteen goals have been spread nicely around: Klose and Müller have four, Podolski has two, Cacau 1, Özil 1 and Friedrich 1. Klose has 14 World Cup goals in total, he is tied on second equal with German great Gerd Müller. He needs just one more to draw level with Ronaldo (ex Brazilian superstar) and two more to have the record for himself. With two games to achieve this milestone it is a distinct possibility.

Müller is the only player in the match who is suspended after picking up two yellow cards. There is no doubt he will be missed but Germany certainly have enough quality to cope without him.

I expect this to be a close game. I can't see Germany over-running Spain as they did England and Argentina. England and Argentina were weak both in personnel and tactically, Spain shouldn't make the same mistake. Spain will need to impose their passing game as they have done so well on many occasions. They didn't manage to do so against Paraguay which is a cause of concern for them. Germany will have studied this game and with an excellent tactician like Löw in charge will surely have a good game plan sussed.

There is a real possibility of an epic on the cards!

Preview of semi-final 1: Netherlands v Uruguay

Uruguay holds the hopes of South America on their shoulders. That is if their South American neighbours are not like Scotland for example, who mostly support anyone but England. But still, after South America to some degree dominated the Group Stage (I don't fully buy the argument as most of these South American sides did not have overly difficult opposition to qualifying for the knock-out stages) and for the first time ever had 4 quarter-finalists (with the possibility of achieving all South American semi-finals) after four wins in the second round (although admittedly none against European sides) - they would have to be disappointed to only have one representative in the semis.

And that one side almost did not make it either. Conceding what could have been a tournament ending penalty against Ghana they were lucky to somehow come out the other end. And in the process lost a lot of respect from a number of neutrals after Suarez decided he would momentarily become goalkeeper - saving a certain goal with his hands and leading to the aforementioned penalty. Although some neutrals loved their whatever it takes approach it was fair to say that it left a bad taste in most people's mouths.

Uruguay are a good side but they have been assisted in this tournament firstly by a terrible French team finishing last in their group and allowing Uruguay the opportunity to top it. This meant an easier draw for them coming up against South Korea in the second round and an epic quarter-final clash with Ghana in what was generally considered the weakest quadrant.

Uruguay will be missing Fucile and Suarez through suspension and potentially Lugano through injury. Lodeiro is also out through injury but he is more an option off the subs bench than a starter. These absences will affect their defence considerably as well as weaken their attack. Yet they still have the dangerous Diego Forlan in their midst and have shown throughout the tournament how hard they can be to breakdown.

The Dutch started the tournament slowly and are still to hit their straps. They have won five games out of five and are yet to face extra-time. Each win has been effective without being thrilling. It is almost like they have become the Germans of world football while the Germans have taken on their mantle. Some would say the world has gone upside down! They quietly went about their business in the groups with a 2-0 win over Denmark, 1-0 over Japan and 2-1 over Cameroon before a 2-1 win over Slovakia in the second round and a come from behind 2-1 win over Brazil in the quarters. The quarter-final was impressive for how they responded to being 1-0 down at half-time and still managed to grind out victory.

The Dutch are on a 24 game unbeaten streak and they have a solid defence ably assisted by the two defensive midfielders in front of them (De Jong and van Bommel). This gives their flair players - Robben, Sneijder and van Persie the chance to express themselves up front. Robben is a constant thorn down the wing and Sneijder has been one of the players of the tournament so far. They do have van der Wiel and De Jong suspended for the game however so changes will need to be made.

This match could be a war of attrition between two desperate sides. The Netherlands have never won the World Cup and Uruguay haven't taken the title for 60 years. I am not expecting a wonderful spectacle but the game may be won through a moment of brilliance. I thing it will be a tight game, if any side blows out to a comfortable victory it will be the Netherlands but I can't see anything more than a two goal margin, and probably one. The Dutch hate penalties and have a very poor success rate, so they will want to win it before it gets to that point.