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High Fives From Magic Mike

Welcome to "High Fives" the personal column of our ace Director of Football "Magic Mike".

Magic Mike's football credentials are first class. Last season he handily beat the Beeb’s expert tipster “Lawro” who never got a look in after Magic took an early lead at the start of the 2008/09 season.

A good number of our players were rescued by Magic’s tips in our Five Lives scheme which automatically gives you his tips, up to five times during the season, should you forget to enter them yourself. Magic Mike's canny inside knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of players and teams, combined with a passion for getting it right, is what you need to make an impact in this game. It also means you're going to have to be at your best to outdo him.

The Management - Score Five

And now, once again, over to Magic Mike...

See what Mike had to say in the olden days - visit his 2008/09 season archives.

previous predictions -

World Cup Quarter-Finals.... World Cup - Round of 16.... World Cup Stage 3.... FA Cup Final 2009/10.... Round 38.... Round 37

 Fantastic 4

Uruguay vs. Netherlands at Green Point Stadium,Cape Town. Uruguay make it to their first World Cup semi-final in 40 years. The twice former winners can thank strikers Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez for the success. Forlan scored the equalizing goal against Ghana and Suarez handled on the line to keep out Dominic Adiyiah’s goal-bound header in the last minute of injury time that saw Uruguay triumph on penalties. The resulting red card for Suarez will mean he misses the semi-final but he would be available for the final should Uruguay win. Uruguay have performed above expectations for a tiny nation of 3.5m people and although outsiders to win the tournament, Oscar Tabarez’s side should not be underestimated.

The Dutch came back from a goal down and being outplayed against the Brazilians in the first half of their quarter-final to win 2-1 and Bert Van Marwijk’s side will fancy their chances against the lower ranked Uruguayans. The Orangemen have a 100% record in World Cup qualification and in the World Cup final tournament so far with thirteen straight wins and with Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben in good form the Dutch will be confident of reaching their first World Cup final in 32 years.

Magic predicts: Uruguay 1 - Netherlands 2   

 

Germany vs. Spain at Durban Stadium, Durban. Germany cruised into a third consecutive World Cup semi-final with a 4-0 thrashing of Argentina; that’s three times the Germans have scored four goals in five outings in the World Cup finals so far. Jaochim Low’s young side have shown quality and ability to hit team’s on the break and in Miroslav Klose they have a striker who could break the record for most goals scored in World Cup final tournaments from the Brazilian Ronaldo if he can score two more goals in the remaining two games in this tournament.

Spain overcame a dogged Paraguay team by a solitary goal but the European Champions have only shown glimpses of the form that saw them lift their European title two years ago. In Barcelona bound, David Villa, they have the current leading scorer in the tournament whilst his strike-partner Fernando Torres has still to find his best form. The Spanish midfield quartet are arguably, on paper, the best in the world and should they find their best form it will be a fascinating contest of Spain’s slick passing game against the swift counter-attacking Germans.

A repeat of the European final two years ago sees a largely unchanged Spanish squad against a German side transformed under Jaochim Low.

Magic predicts: Spain 2 - Germany 0