Day 12

Jack Bauer only made it to Day 8.

I'm going to start with the bet of the day. I am 11 for 11 so you may find it strange that I am picking something with relatively high odds.

Put 10 times your standard on Spain to qualify at 18/19.Spain are the best international team in the world.

They have 6-7 world class players who, more importantly, play in the same way. The Germans have looked good against England, no holding midfielder of note, and Argentina with just the one holding midfielder and some high defending.

Spain hold with two midfielders and keep discipline with at least one full back at all times. They don't panic like England or Argentina, but continue to play in the same way until the full time whistle.

They will be flustered at the back at times because they haven't defended with much confidence in this world cup so far, but in terms of attack each team they have faced has defended deep and hoped to score on the counter attack. The Germans struggle to defend deep as seen against England, and even Argentina created 4 goals scoring opportunities in the game. The Germans were happy to absorb the pressure playing with 8 men behind the ball but they will have to play with at least 9, perhaps 10 players behind the ball against Spain. The counter attack tactic will falter, Spain will unlock the average German defence and will go through to their first World Cup final.

Snatch Ireland to beat Canada in the cricket at 2/7 with 5 times your standard.

Put two times your standard on Cavendish to win Stage 4 at 5/4.

Put your standard on a Querrey/Mahut/Fish accumulator at 0.81/1.

At less than 1% return we will not take the opportunity of Safarova at 4/9 and Sprem at 40/17. But if you wish to avoid risk then take it at a ratio of 22.1 : 51.3 on Sprem:Safarova.