World Cup 2014 11am Bulletin: Trends favour Germany

Mesut Ozil and co thrashed Argentina 4-0 at World Cup 2010

A stroll down Germany v Argentina memory lane reveals that Germany usually deliver in the World Cup...

As mentioned in yesterday's Bulletin, World Cup history will be made when Germany and Argentina tangle at the Maracana on Sunday. It will be the third time that the nations meet in the final, with the series tied at 1-1, and it will be their record-equalling seventh showdown in the tournament.

Germany are unbeaten in the three World Cup encounters since losing an absorbing 1986 final 2-3, avenging that reverse 1-0 in Rome in the 1990 final, eliminating Argentina on penalties as hosts in the 2006 quarter-finals and then thrashing them 4-0 at the same stage in 2010.

The Albiceleste's repetitive failure against Joachim Low's side - the overall World Cup head-to-head reads four German successes to Argentina's one - must be rendered all the more infuriating by the fact that the South Americans regularly outwit the three-time winners outside of the competition.

Argentina won the last two non-World Cup clashes in 2010 and 2012, each of which took place in Germany, and are undefeated in six in total, a run which dates all the way back to 1988.

The Europeans are expected to retain their control over matters Fuball-Weltmeisterschaft though, being rated 1.715/7 favourites to get their hands on the trophy for a fourth time to Argentina's 2.47/5.

Before the medals are distributed, third place has to be assigned though and Tobias Gourlay fancies Brazil to win a contest with over 3.5 goals against the Netherlands on Saturday night.

As for the final, Paul Robinson recommends backing Lionel Messi to have a decisive role in crowning Argentina champions and maintaining South America's record of providing the victors in every edition staged in either their continent or the CONCACAF zone.

Jonathan Wilson also fancies Argentina, flagging up the 1-0 scoreline. Elsewhere, Kevin Hatchard previews the final from a German perspective, Ed Malyon offers the Argentine insight and the Betting.Betfair editors propose their best bets for the Rio de Janeiro showpiece.