World Cup 2014 11am Bulletin: It's Germany versus complacency

Pre-tournament criticism of Joachim Low appears foolish now

Germany were exceptional in conquering Brazil 7-1, but will they be able to replicate that intensity in the final?

Having reached a record eighth World Cup final, Germany's chief threat at the Maracana won't be Argentina or Netherlands but the danger of complacency creeping in after arguably their greatest ever result.

By destroying the most successful side in the tournament's existence 7-1 in front of a stadium filled with their fans, Germany achieved the next best thing to lifting the trophy. Coming down from that high in the five days before a final that almost feels like an afterthought is a tough mental challenge.

Joachim Low's team have already been felled by a lesser form of the same phenomenon in following a 4-0 thrashing of Portugal with a draw against Ghana, while there was a similar drop-off four years ago when they blitzed Argentina in the group stage then were beaten by Serbia.

They are closer than ever before to scrubbing away the "bridesmaids" reputation earned for playing a prominent part in the party without receiving top billing. That status was built up with semi-final exits at World Cup 2006, World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012 and a Euro 2008 final defeat to Spain.

However, the fact that they are only slightly shorter than odds-on to win the competition at 1.845/6 despite being the sole confirmed finalists indicates that there is still a suspicion among punters that they will instead be remembered as outstanding runners-up.

Argentina are judged 1.768/11 favourites to join Germany in Rio de Janeiro, with Netherlands 2.35/4 to progress and add a new chapter to one of European football's most historic rivalries.

Both teams could be without a player significant to them venturing this far. Argentina are without their round-of-16 match-clincher Angel Di Maria, while Louis van Gaal dropped a strong hint that Dutch captain Robin van Persie might not make it.

They have at least won twice without him already, against Chile in Group B when he was suspended and against Mexico in the round-of-16 when he was subbed off at 0-1 down.

On Betting.Betfair's insight-oozing pages, you can read Tobias Gourlay on why Netherlands and Argentina will be tied at the interval, Michael Cox on why Martin Demichelis will attract the referee's attention for all the wrong reasons and the Opta stats that point to Argentina prevailing 1-0.