World Cup 2010 / Feizal Rahman / 13 October 2009 / Leave a comment

As ever, Germany have qualified for the World Cup and appear to be peaking at just the right time. This home match against Finland may be a dead rubber in most people's books but Joachim Low's side aren't the sort of team to treat it as such, says Feizal Rahmann.

"Germany secured their place in South Africa at the weekend meaning they have never failed to qualify for an international tournament and, ominously, they appear to be assembling a side capable of making another challenge with typically efficient timing."

Germany secured their place in South Africa at the weekend meaning they have never failed to qualify for an international tournament and, ominously, they appear to be assembling a side capable of making another challenge with typically efficient timing.

In light of qualification, manager Joachim Low is set to hand an opportunity to some less experienced squad members though his side remain strong favourites to wrap up their campaign with another win - Germany [1.36], Finland [11.5], The Draw [5.5].

Captain Michael Ballack picked up a knock on Saturday and, although not as serious as first expected, may not feature. Hamburg's Piotr Trochowski may be given a chance to impress in front of his home crowd. Though not a prolific goalscorer from midfield, he should be available at around [5.0] to score at anytime.

Bayern Munich's Miroslav Klose is joint-third top goalscorer in European qualifying and will be around [4.5] favourite to open the scoring and add to his tally of seven goals. Klose scored a hat-trick in the reverse of this fixture 13 months ago, when Finland took the lead three times. However away from home, the Finns have been far less impressive, managing only a 1-1 draw in Lichtenstein last month in addition to being beaten 3-0 away in Russia a year ago.

Former Rangers and Charlton midfield, Jonatan Johansson, has been Finland's top scorer in qualifying, while the 38-year-old Jari Litmanen has played in all but one of those games yet has found the net only once (both expected to be around [6.0 to score anytime). Former Liverpool centre back Sami Hyypia now plays in Germany for league leaders Bayer Leverkusen and will captain the Finns in his 103rd appearance for the national side.

Germany have had one of Europe's best defences in qualification and conceded only one in four home qualifiers while themselves averaging 2.75 goals scored per game. Over 2.5 goals could tempt at [1.68], while Germany -1.5 on the Asian handicap looks generous at [2.06].

There will be no need for Germany to put on a show or get a result in this match but their winning mentality should ensure they gain another three points. The Germans have led at half-time in 7 of their 9 qualifiers and can be taken to do so again at [1.8] before making changes in the second period and perhaps taking their foot off the gas.

Best Bets:

Germany -1.5 Asian Handicap @ [2.06]

Germany to be winning at Half-Time @ [1.8]

Tags: German national football team, Michael Ballack, Miroslav Klose, World Cup betting