2014 World Cup Free Picks: Brazil vs. Germany

4 p.m., Tuesday, June 8 - Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte (ESPN)

Match Betting Lines

Germany are the slightest of favorites against hosts Brazil, listed at +155 to win. Brazil are +180 while the draw can be had for +230. The total in this match is 2.5 goals.

Brazil

Brazil turned in their best performance of the tournament against Colombia, however it came with a costly price. Neymar fractured his third vertebrae in his back and will be out for the remainder of the World Cup. Just horrible injury news for the favorites who are now seemingly underdogs just to make the World Cup Final. Minus their starlet, how will Brazil cope to produce an attacking style of football in his absence? The biggest storyline of course will be how manager Big Luiz Felipe Scolari selects his starting XI in what will surely be a new formation the team is not accustomed to playing in.

Germany

The Germans dispatched of a talented France team in a very efficient 1-0 victory to reach the semi finals. And with news of Neymar's injury, Germany are a small favorite to reach the World Cup Final in Rio de Janeiro. Can Germany take advantage of a weakened side now minus their main star? As for Germany, there is no shortage of individual stars on this team, and it surely is on them to produce a result that gets them one step closer to a major international trophy - something that has escaped them in recent tournaments.

Match Analysis

Brazil has lacked a supplemental punch in attack and have been way too reliant on Neymar. Well now they don't get that luxury against Germany. With Neymar sidelined who will step up? Oscar? Hulk? Germany will no doubt be the aggressors, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Brazil field a bit more defensive starting line-up and allow the match to come to them as they look for inspiration from elsewhere.

Key Injuries, Suspensions, Yellow Cards

Obviously Neymar's injury is the key headline, but equally important will be Brazil missing their captain and defensive stalwart Thiago Silva on the back line. His yellow card suspension means the hosts must take on their opponents minus their best offensive and defensive playmakers.

Guy's Pick

It was tough luck for Brazil to be dealt the Neymar injury blow. However Germany will not feel sympathetic. They had a handful of their own injury issues prior to the World Cup, even losing a key wing playmaker in Marco Reus with an ankle injury right before traveling to Brazil. I feel the Brazilians are going to be up against it, shorthanded or not, and it will be too much to overcome against a Germany side that are focused on finally ending their title drought.

Doc's Sports has full coverage of the 2014 World Cup and more articles throughout this summer's major soccer tournament. Strike Point Sports is one of the top soccer handicappers with their success on the big tournament stage. From the 2006 World Cup, Euro 2008, 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012, SPS earned $100 clients over $8,200 in profit from these four major events. This summer's World Cup is going to be another moneymaking opportunity, and they are looking forward to their soccer selections and another winning tournament.

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