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Suarez, Neymar Start: Barcelona v Espanyol

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BARCELONA, Spain (Sporting Alert) — Neymar, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi all start for Barcelona in today’s Spanish La Liga clash with Espanyol at Camp Nou.

The trio will make up the attack for Barca, which will be looking for a victory to keep tabs on the front two teams from Madrid, who both won their respective fixtures on Saturday.

Neymar will play on the left, Messi will start on the right, but is expected to roam in his free role, while Suarez will operate through the middle as he seeks goals to justify his big-money move this summer.

Experienced midfielder Xavi starts again and will captain the team, while Andres Iniesta, who played in the Copa del Rey in midweek, is named amongst the substitutes.

Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic both start in the midfield, while Javier Mascherano will partner Gerard Pique in the heart of the backline.

Claudio Bravo starts in goal, as Marc-Andre ter Stegen is named to the bench.

Barcelona are third in the La Liga points standings with 31 points, but a victory would see them leapfrog defending champions Atletico Madrid into the second place.

Sergio Garcia is amongst the starters today for the visiting Espanyol, who are sitting 12th in the La Liga table with 14 points.

According to OptaJose: “Barcelona have won more games against Espanyol than any other side in their league history (91).”

Barcelona XI: Bravo, Alba, Dani Alves, Mascherano, Pique, Busquets, Rakitic, Xavi, Messi, Neymar, Suarez.

Espanyol XI: Casilla, Arbilla, Bailly, Fuentes, Gonzalez, Canas, Lucas, Sanchez, Sevilla, Caicedo, Garcia.

Tevez is back for Argentina; plus Nov. 12 friendly fixtures

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LONDON (Sporting Alert) — Carlos Tevez is back in the Argentina squad for Wednesday’s friendly against Croatia and the Juventus forward is hoping to use the exhibition to established a place in the team again.

International Friendly
1:30 pm Turkey v Brazil
2:00 pm Norway v Estonia
2:30 pm Holland v Mexico
2:45 pm Argentina v Croatia
2:45 pm Belgium v Iceland

The former Manchester United and Manchester City striker has not played for Argentina for more than three years, with his last appearance coming at the 2011 Copa America tournament.

However, Tevez’s form with Juventus this season has been difficult to overlooked by new coach Gerardo Martino and the player revealed that he’s delighted to get a fresh start.

This beginning with the national setup starts at the Boleyn Ground in London against Croatia on Wednesday, where the forward is expected to battle with Sergio Agüero and Gonzalo Higuain for a starting place alongside Lionel Messi.

“When you are not in the squad, you always miss it, but I am not stupid and I knew earlier was not the right moment to be back,” Tevez was quoted by Ole newspaper.

“I’m very happy to be back. I take it as a prize for this present time in my career.

“To me, it has more value than in past times. There is a new coach and I hope I can do well.”

Martino admits that Tevez, who he believes has been probably one of the top three best players in the Serie A in the past two seasons, could no longer be ignored.

“He has probably been one of the three best players in the past two Italian league seasons, so he deserves a place in the squad,” said Martino.

“It is a great chance for Carlos to make the most of this opportunity but also for me as a coach to be with him. He’s back.

“I need to see him in ­training but I want to give as many minutes to as many players as possible. I followed what happened in the months leading up to the World Cup [with Tévez].

“I have my own approach and philosophy but the reaction has been great.”

Meanwhile, fellow South American giant Brazil, will also be in action on Wednesday night when Neymar and co. take on Turkey in a friendly.

The two nations will clash in Istanbul and Brazil’s attacking midfielder Willian is expecting a difficult contest at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium — noting that Atletico Madrid midfielder Arda Turan will be one of the players to watch.

“Turkey are not a team to be taken lightly,” Willian told the Turkish newspaper Milliyet.

“This game is a good opportunity to test ourselves. We have watched Turkey’s previous games and they are a side that can spring a surprise.

“They also have players of the highest quality such as Arda Turan. We have to be careful,” the Chelsea player added.

Also in action on Wednesday night is the friendly clash with Netherlands and Mexico at Amsterdam ArenA.

New Holland head coach Guus Hiddink has not been off to the best start since replacing Louis van Gaal after the 2014 FIFA World Cup and he will be using the game exhibition against Mexico to fine-tuned some things.

The Netherlands have just three points from three games in the European 2016 qualifying campaign, and Hiddink said that he would quit if his side failed to beat Latvia at the Amsterdam Arena on Sunday.

Saurez will make Barca debut in Classico – Enrique

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MADRID (Sporting Alert) — Barcelona manager Luis Enrique has revealed that Luis Saurez will make his debut against Real Madrid in Saturday’s La Liga “El Classico” but will most likely start on the bench at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Saurez moved to the Camp Nou from Liverpool in the summer transfer window, but has not featured in a competitive game for the league leaders after serving a four-month ban for biting Italian defender Giorgio Chielline during a World Cup group clash in Brazil.

The Uruguay forward, who returned to action with the national team earlier this month, has played and scored in a few behind-closed door games to work on his match fitness.

After watching him in action, Enrique now knows that he’s seen enough to know that his new recruit is ready play against Real Madrid.

“He will have some minutes for sure, how many I cannot say,” the Barcelona manager said.

“It is a big thing for him, to join up finally with the team and get some minutes.”

This doesn’t, however, mean that Saurez will start the game with Enrique still trusting his current front three of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Pedro to lead the attack.

But with Messi scoring seven goals and Neymar netting eight so far this season, it doesn’t take a genius to see that Pedro (1) is the man who most likely will make way for Saurez when he officially comes into the starting XI.

“He’s happy to be available and the rest of us are happy about it too,” Andrés Iniesta said.

Barcelona also welcome back Spanish defensive midfielder Sergio Busquets, who returned to full training with the squad after he recovered from a hip injury.

“Busquets is very good,” Enrique said. “He has trained with everyone and, in theory, is available with no problems.”

Real Madrid, in the meantime, says defender Sergio Ramos could return to the starting team after overcoming an injury, but forward Gareth Bales, who also missed the Champions League win against Liverpool in midweek, remains on the sidelines with a muscle injury.

Neymar scores all 4 goals in Brazil win over Japan

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SINGAPORE (SportingAlert.com) — Striker Neymar scored all four goals, including a second half hat-trick in Brazil’s 4-0 victory over Japan in an international football friendly game on Tuesday in Singapore.

The Barcelona forward opened the scoring in the 18th minute when he finished well after being played through on goal by strike partner Diego Tardelli.

The forward then scored three more goals in the second half as Brazil won it’s fourth straight friendly game since losing 3-0 to the Netherlands in the 3rd place playoff clash at the 2014 FIFA World Cup at home.

Neymar and Brazil’s second goal game in the 48th minute following another through ball pass this time from Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho, while he completed his hat-trick with an easy tap home from close range in the 77th minute after Coutinho’s shot was pushed into his path by goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima.

The fourth goal game nine-minutes from time when substitute Kaka floated in a cross for the captain to leap high and head home past Kawashima. That goal saw him surpassing World Cup winning forward Bebeto as Brazil’s 5th all-time leading goal scorer with 40 goals from 58 caps for the senior national team.

Brazil came into the game on good form after blanking fellow South American arch rivals Argentina 2-0 in another exhibition on Saturday as Dunga makes his second spell with the national team.

Brazil: 1. Jefferson 2. Danilo 3. Miranda 14. Gil 6. Filipe Luis 17. Luiz Gustavo 22. Elias 19. Willian 11. Oscar 46’9. Martins Diego Tardelli 10. Neymar. Subs: 12. Rafael 5. Romulo 8. Josef Souza 7. Robinho 13. Juan Jesus 15. Dodo 16. Mario Fernandes 18. Augusto Everton Ribeiro 20. Kaka 21. Philippe Coutinho 23. Grohe Marcelo.

Japan: 1. Eiji Kawashima 21. Kosuke Ota 16. Tsukasa Shiotani 3. Gotoku Sakai 6. Masato Morishige 8. Junya Tanaka 22. Taishi Taguchi 17. Ryota Morioka 7. Gaku Shibasaki 9. Shinji Okazaki 19. Yu Kobayashi. Subs: 12. Shusaku Nishikawa 2. Hiroki Mizumoto 4. Keisuke Honda 5. Yuto Nagatomo 11. Yoichiro Kakitani 13. Hajime Hosogai 14. Yoshinori Muto 15. Daisuke Suzuki 18. Mike Havenaar 20. Daigo Nishi 23. Shuichi Gonda

Argentina v Brazil Friendly Live TV Channels; Team News

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Neymar of Brazil ahead of clash with Argentina

BEIJING, China (SportingAlert.com) — Argentina and Brazil will face each other in a high-profile international football friendly game inside the Beijing National Stadium on Saturday.

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY
BRAZIL V ARGENTINA
Venue: Birds Nest stadium, Beijing
TV Channels: beIN SPORTS CONNECT, beIN Sports USA, ESPN2 Australia, ITV 4 UK and Esport3
Date: Saturday 11 October
Kick-off: 8:05 AM ET

The international friendly clash will see Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi and Neymar going head-to-head, a contest that has been penciled in by several football fans living in China.

The “Super Clasico” clash is considered the biggest international match-up in South American football.

“We (Messi and I) have spoken a lot about this game and have joked about who’s going to win,” Neymar said.

Another on form player suiting up for the game on Saturday is Manchester United attacking midfielder Angel Di Maria, while Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero will join him as well.

Di Maria, who recently transferred from Real Madrid to Manchester United and EPL, has been in very good form so far – scoring three goals and assisting on three for his new side.

Fellow club teammate Marcos Rojo also makes the trip, while Pablo Zabaleta and Martin Demichelis of Manchester City, Erik Lamela of Tottenham and Barcelona’s Javier Mascherano are all on the roster as well for Argentina.

Meanwhile, for Brazil, Neymar will be joined by Chelsea players Oscar, Willian and Filipe Luis, as well Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho.

Barcelona v Athletic Bilbao Preview, Game Broadcasters

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Luis Enrique at Friday’s press conference / PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ – FCB

BARCELONA, Spain (Sporting Alert) — Leaders Barcelona will be hoping to continue their winning start to the season when they face Athletic Bilbao at Camp Nou.

Where to Watch Live: beIN Sports USA, Sky Go, Sky Go Extra, Sky Sports 5/HD, Sky Brasil, Sky Mexico / Direct TV, Fox Sport 2, beIN Sports Arabia 2 HD, beIN Sports 14 HD, beIN Sports 15 HD, beIN Sports Connect.

The Spanish giants have won their first two games to start the new La Liga season – thrashing Elche 3-0 before edging Villarreal 1-0 in the second game.

Athletic Bilbao, meanwhile, have three points from their two openers, after bouncing back from a 1-0 defeat at Málaga with a 3-0 victory over Levante at home before the international break.

Manager Ernesto Valverde heads into the contest with a clean bill of health as well, with Athletic Bilbao reporting no injuries.

On the other side, Barcelona does have injury concerns, but can call on a few key players who will make a return.

Midfielder Javier Mascherano returns from suspension and will likely start.

Neymar started the last game for Barcelona on the bench, but the Brazilian could earn a recall to the starting lineup to play alongside the record chasing Lionel Messi and Pedro.

The forward returned fully fit after he captained his national side in two international friendlies and manager Luis Enrique is likely to utilize his star-man from the start this weekend.

Forward Luis Suarez remains ineligible until the El Clasico next month, while defender Thomas Vermaelen and goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen are out injured.

As expected, Barcelona’s possession football will dominate for most of the game, but the visitors will be hoping to hit the leaders on the counter as they seek to upset at the Camp Nou.

Barcelona have won 66-percent of the last six meetings between these two sides, but Enrique remains cautious.

“Everything about Athletic worries me” he said. “They’ve been playing well for several seasons.

“They’re the best team at creating attacking pressure. It’s always very motivational to be able to play Athletic.”

ESPN3 Live World Cup 3rd Place Streaming: Holland v Brazil

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BRASILIA (SportingAlert) — Watch the World Cup third-place game between Brazil and the Netherlands live streaming on ESPN3.com and WatchESPN from Estadio Nacional on Saturday.

Brazil were slaughtered 7-1 by Germany in their semi-finals, while the Netherlands were beaten in a penalty shootout by Argentina in the other semis.

“I know my career will be marked by that defeat, but we have an obligation to move on and think about the next goal, which in this case is the match for third place on Saturday in Brasilia,” the Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said.

“I know it’s a much smaller dream that we all wanted, but we have to honour the shirt of the national team.”

The game is expected to see the return of Brazil leading center-back and captain Thiago Silva, who missed the defeat against Germany the last time out because of suspension and the Paris St German star expects a better showing from the hosts on Saturday.

“This is a bad time so we need strength from our fans,” he said. “I guarantee that we will play this Saturday’s game like it was the final.”

Silva added: “It’s almost impossible to explain what happened” against Germany.

“This was not the Brazil team we know.”

Missing out again is forward Neymar, who picked up a tournament ending back injury in the quarter-finals against Colombia.

Scolari could rotate his starting team for the final fixture of their World Cup campaign, with forward Fred likely to be dropped to the bench.

Bernard, Paulinho, Willian, Ramires and Jo are also all pushing for starting places, as Scolari look to end the tournament on a winning note.

The Netherlands are also expected to make changes, with head coach Louis van Gaal set to drop his captain and forward Robin van Persie and midfielder Wesley Sneijder, with the likes of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Jonathan de Guzman and Memphis Depay all pushing for starting places in Brasília.

“I didn’t name the team this morning, which goes against my principles,” Van Gaal said. “It is the first time I’ve done that. I have to see how our training session goes first.

“I have to see who is in good shape and who is not.

“We have been in this tournament the longest time with the other three so the pains the players have had are now an issue, but we are moving in the right direction.”

Video Highlights: Germany hammers Brazil 7-1 in World Cup

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BELO HORIZONTE (SportingAlert) — Germany scored five first half goals on their way to commanding 7-1 victory over Brazil in their World Cup semi-final clash on Tuesday.


Brazil vs Germany 1-7 All Goals & Full… by atillasallaVEVO

Brazil captain on the night David Luiz said: “Apologies to everybody, apologies to all the Brazilian people.

“I just wanted to see my people smile. We all know how important it was for me to see all of Brazil be happy, at least because of football.

“Germany were better than us. They prepared better. They played better. It’s a very sad day but it’s also a day from which to learn.”

The rampant German team came out and took a stunning 5-0 lead inside the opening 29-minutes of the contest, leaving the home supporters completely numb in their seat.

Germany’s five goals in 29-mnutes is the fastest ever in the World Cup.

In fact, Joachim Low’s team scored three goals in three minutes, with Bayern Munich midfielder Toni Kroos netting two of those.

It was an absolute nightmare first half for Brazil, as the hosts appalling defensive line took a beating in one of the most astonishing first halves in World Cup history.

Some fans were in tears, while the rest were so angry they booed Luiz Felipe Scolari’s men as they head down the tunnel.

In the midst of that rout, German forward Miroslav Klose scored the goal he needed to become the leading scorer in World Cup history. Klose, who scored the second goal for Germany is now at 16.

Kroos and substitute Andre Schurrle both scored twice, while Sami Khedira and Thomas Muller each netted as well, as Germany ran riot in Belo Horizonte.

Oscar scored the lone goal for Brazil in the 90th minute.

This was the first time a team was scoring five goals in a semi-finals at the World Cup, since 1958, when Brazil beat France 5-2.

Brazil, who were without Neymar, who is injured and Thiago Silva, who is suspended, was suffering their first defeat on home soil since 1975 and were on a 62 game undefeated home streak.

The negative result on Tuesday night, sees Brazil equal their biggest ever defeat since they lost 6-0 to Uruguay in the Copa America in 1920.

Brazil v Germany Starting Team News

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BELO HORIZONTE (SportingAlert) — Brazil make three changes for today’s Fifa World Cup semi-final clash against Germany at Estadio Mineirao in Belo Horizonte.

Kick-off at 4:00 PM ET. Watch and Listen live streaming on: Univision, TalkSport Radio, ESPN3.com and UnivisionDeportes.com, ESPN and WatchESPN. Live TV Channels and More Here | Live World Cup Scores Updates

Germany, in the meantime, are unchanged for the clash.

For the hosts Brazil, who are without injured talisman forward Neymar (fractured vertebrae), as well as captain and leading defender Thiago Silva, who is suspended, head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has named Bernard, Luiz Gustavo, Dante in his starting team.

Luiz Gustavo is back from his one game ban and takes the place of Paulinho in midfield, while Dante replaces Silva and Bernard gets the nod over Willian as Neymar’s replacement.

Germany will go into the game with the same team that beat France 1-0 in the quarter-finals, which means that forward Miroslav Klose and playmaker Mesut Ozil, who were candidates to be replaced, keep their places in the starting team.

The winner of this game will meet the winning team from the second semi-final between Argentina and the Netherlands for the World Cup title.

Brazil: Julio Cesar, David Luiz (c), Marcelo, Dante, Maicon, Luiz Gustavo, Fernandinho Bernard, Hulk, Oscar, Fred.

Germany: Neuer, Hoewedes, Hummels, Boateng, Lahm (c), Khedira, Schweinsteiger, Kroos, Ozil, Muller, Klose.

ESPN3, WatchESPN: Brazil-Germany Preview, TV Channels

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BELO HORIZONTE (SportingAlert) — Brazil and Germany face-off in a World Cup semi-final on Tuesday and you can watch live streaming from Belo Horizonte, on ESPN3.com.

The game will be played at Estadio Mineirao, with live coverage on ESPN, WatchESPN, Univision, TalkSport Radio, BBC Radio 5 live, BBC One, ESPN3, ESPN Brasil, Watch ESPN Brasil, Band, BandSports, FOX Sports 1 Brasil, Globo, SporTV, beIN Sports 1 HD, beIN Sports 2 HD, beIN Sports 11 HD, beIN Sports 13 HD, SuperSport, CBC Sports Live, Streaming, SuperSport Streaming, B5 plus, NDR 2, ZDF Sport Live Stream, RTE Player, RTE 2, Sky Sport 5 NZ, SKY GO, TVNZ On-Demand, TV One…

The hosts will be without captain Thiago Silva, who is banned for one game after picking up another yellow card in the win over Colombia in the quarter-final, and had his appeal against it dismissed.

Also missing this game, as well as the rest of the World Cup finals, is star forward Neymar, who has a back injury.

Brazil head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari will play Bayern Munich center-back Dante in Silva’s place in the backline, while it is understood that Chelsea midfielder Willian will come into the team for Neymar.

Holding midfielder Luis Gustavo is back from suspension and he is expected to be the guard on Germany’s 2014 World Cup top scorer, Thomas Muller.

For Germany, meanwhile, coach Joachim Low could keep the same starting lineup that played against France in the quarter-finals win, although Bayern Munich attacker Mario Gotze could be recalled in place of striker Miroslav Klose.

Tuesday’s World Cup semi-finals clash between Brazil and Germany is a repeat of the 2002 final, won 2-0 by Brazil.

Brazil are unbeaten in 42 consecutive home games, with the hosts last defeat coming in August 2002 when they were beaten by Paraguay.

Germany will feature in a record fourth successive World Cup semi-finals when they take the field on Tuesday.

Brazil v Germany Live World Cup Semis Streaming – ESPN3

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David Luiz scored for Brazil over Colombia. Photo Fifa.com linked.

BELO HORIZONTE (SportingAlert) — World Cup action continues on Tuesday and Wednesday with the semi-finals, as the football fraternity brace itself for what is expected to be two exciting contests.

Brazil vs Germany
Tuesday, 8 July 4:00 PM ET (17:00 Local time) at Estádio Mineirão, Belo Horizonte
Watch Live Streaming on ESPN3.com, WatchESPN and ESPN TV Channel.

In the first of the two semi-finals here in Belo Horizonte, hosts and pre-tournament favourites Brazil will take on a very spirited Germany team in a repeat of the 2002 final, which Brazil won.

Brazil have been hit with two massive blow, following the back injury suffered by their talisman Neymar, who will miss the rest of the World Cup and the suspension of leading center-back and team captain Thiago Silva.

The hosts started the World Cup under a lot of pressure to add to their collection at the tournament they last won in 2002, which sometimes see them struggling in patches to play their usual fluent style of football.

Without Silva and Neymar, head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari will need to make major shuffles, but the latter, who has a fractured vertebra, remains confident that Brazil can still win the World Cup and fulfill his dream.

“My dream is not over yet,” he said. “It was interrupted by one move, but it will continue and I’m certain that my teammates will do whatever possible so I can fulfil my dream of being a champion.

“I won’t be able to fulfil the dream of playing in a World Cup final, but I’m sure they will win this one, they will become champions, and I will be there with them, and all of Brazil will be celebrating together.”

Germany, meanwhile, will have a different feeling than Neymar, and they should have all rights of doing so.

The Joachim Low coached team has been showing glimpses of what others believe they are capable of doing so far in the knockout round, and it strongly backs itself making the final.

Germany have not won the World Cup since 1990, but after reaching a record four successive semi-finals, Low’s men are now keen to go all the way this time.

Former skipper Lothar Matthaus, who was a member of Germany’s last World Cup winning team in 1990, also believes this team is ready to break some hearts in Brazil.

“Germany aren’t playing the same attractive football they did at the previous two World Cup finals,” Matthaus said on Fifa.com. “But Joachim Low has learned a thing or two. You don’t win titles playing pretty football.

“And the target for this German team is to win the World Cup in Brazil. That’s why we’re seeing a somewhat reserved approach. You only have to think about the four central defenders playing in the back four, with Philipp Lahm in the holding role.

“Germany had a few problems in the run-in. Important players were injured – like Bastian Schweinsteiger, Sami Khedira and Miroslav Klose too. So Low probably felt he had to try something else and when you look at the results, it’s worked really well so far.”

Matthaus believes Germany will “win 2-1” and eliminate Brazil to battle for the World Cup third place honor.

Brazil defeated Colombia in their quarter-final match to get to this stage, with Thiago Silva and David Luiz netting, while Germany dumped France in their quarter-finals clash. Mats Hummels scoring the winning goal for the Germans.

Sky Bet: Brazil v Germany Latest Leading Odds – World Cup Semi-finals

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BELO HORIZONTE (SportingAlert) — The latest odds ahead of the Fifa World Cup semi-finals clash between Brazil and Germany in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday.

According to the latest Sky Bet update, Brazil odds to lift this year’s World Cup title has been “pushed out from as short as 7/4 to 13/5” following the absences of Neymar and Thiago Silva for the semi-finals encounter against Germany.

Captain Silva is suspended for one game, while star player Neymar will miss the remainder of the tournament with a back injury he suffered in the last game against Colombia.

Meanwhile, Germany, who will be playing in a record fourth World Cup semi-finals, head into this fixture level with Brazil at 7/4, this after starting the tournament as the 13/2 fourth contenders to lift the trophy.

Sky Bet has is backing a 11/5 odd for a full time draw.

On the individual side of things, Germany forward Thomas Muller, who has netted four goals in five games, including a hat trick in the first game against Portugal, is the 6/1 favourite to score the opening goal of the contest.

The Bayern Munich attacker is also at 5/1 to end the tournament as the top scorer.

Colombian playmaker James Rodriguez has scored six goals and lead the chart by two goals.

In the meantime, defenders Mats Hummels of Germany and Brazil’s David Luiz who both scored quarter-finals goals, are both listed at 18/1 to open the scoring.

On the final score, the most popular odd is at 6/1 for a 1-0 victory for either side.