Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, July 13 is the venue for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Final. A fearsome fusillade of 17 goals in 6 games has been unleashed by the powerful German soccer team in this year’s World Cup as they head into the final. Even discounting the 7, that’s right 7 goals scored against a catatonic Brazilian team this past week, that is a more than respectable 10 goals in 5 games. And though Argentina was counted on for some impressive scoring as well, they uncharacteristically have been using a stout defense to get this far. With Germany probably continuing to employ its high defensive line, a very risky idea in World Cup football action, look for Argentina to press early and often. It is just hard to believe that all that offensive Argentinian talent has scored just 8 goals in 6 games, and with Germany on fire, this could be a high-scoring affair.

The World Cup Knockout Round begins on Saturday, June 28. There are a number of ways that the remaining 2014 World Cup contenders can reach that round of 16 international football teams. Countries located in or near the host country tend to play excellent football when the FIFA World Cup comes around every year. Accordingly, host team Brazil is the Vegas odds on favorite to win this year’s heated competition, currently delivering 3 to 1 odds. But nearby Argentina is considered nearly as likely to win the World Cup Championship (4 to 1), along with powerhouse Germany. Brazil’s fellow South American teams from Colombia, Uruguay and Chile are middle-of-the-road World Cup contenders currently delivering some very attractive odds as well.