As someone once sang, now the end is near. But is it Germany or Argentina facing the final curtain of despair? Before we reach the game that everyone's waiting for, there's the (very) little matter of the 3rd/4th play off.

BRAZIL v NETHERLANDS (Saturday 12th July, 9pm)

It's the game that nobody wants to play it, but you can still earn vital money from the loser's final. Dutch manager Louis Van Gaal has said that the match is 'unfair' but coming from someone who has Arjen Robben in his side, that's a tad ironic.

Neymar gave an emotional press conference this week where he said that he could have been paralysed. He would still have been preferable to Fred up front. Both team can be expected to make wholesale changes, with Van Huntelaar to get the nod for Holland, and Jo for Brazil. It's going to be Scolari's last game in charge, so he'll want to go out on a high. I want to marry a supermodel, but that's not going to happen either. The match won't be as one sided as the humiliating semi-final, but I still expect Netherlands to secure an easy victory.

GERMANY v ARGETINA (Sunday 13th July, 8pm)

It's the climax of possibly the best World Cup ever, and many people are predicting a one way final, but could we be in for one last surprise?

Germany couldn't have looked more impressive against Brazil, but in large part that was due to the inadequacies of the host. The Selecao had been an accident waiting to happen since the very first game, when they had to be helped to beat a poor Croatia by bizarre refereeing decisions. With Neymar and Silva missing, the Germans took full advantage.

The big question is, can Germany play to their full potential in two games in a row? After dismantling Portugal in their opener, they were lucky to grab a draw against Ghana. Could lightning strike twice? Thomas Muller will be especially motivated, with one or two goals he can grab the golden boot from James Rodriguez and retain the coveted footwear he won in South Africa.

Germany looked much more assured at the back with Lahm occupying the right-back slot, and Sammy Khedira played a blinder as a holding midfielder with a license to roam forwards.

Toni Kroos will be looking to add to Tuesday's brace, and Ozil too looks a potent threat at last. Germany have talent throughout their midfield, but will that be enough?

Argentina showed their dogged determination against Holland. With the emphasis on Messi upfront, it's been overlooked how good their defence has been. Even Dimichelis has looked transformed after his often shocking performances for Manchester City. Javier Mascherano, a bertt defender than midfielder as recognised by Barcelona, will again be ready to plug any gaps that appear. Many people are saying that Argentina have been far from convincing throughout the tournament, but has coach Alejandro Sabella got a final surprise up his sleeve?

Lionel Messi, has played well, he knows no other way, but has looked less of a goal threat than usual. That's because he's been playing much deeper than he's used to. The final should see him moved forward, and if so he will provide much more of a threat than Germany have experienced so far. Perez put in an eye catching performance and should start again, but Higuain could be dropped to accommodate the returning Sergio Aguero.

Germany are warm favourites, but Totel Football, after picking the winners of both semi-finals, are on a hot streak. I predict yet another win by a single goal for Argentina, a result that really will rub salt into the wounds of Brazilian fans.

Whatever the result it's been a great spectacle for football fans across the globe, especially the ones who've added to the interest by picking a Totel Football team. Don't panic, it's only a month until the Premier League resumes, bringing brand new ways to win money on the best fantasy football game around.

After a thunder and lightning group stage, the knock-out rounds of the 2014 Word Cup have been much cagier affairs. As usual, the wheat has been separated from the chaff, and we are left with four footballing giants at the semi-final stage. The time for being cautious is over, it's time to do or die. Could it be an all-European semi-final, or an all-South American final, or a clash of the continents? The one sure thing is that there are still vital points up for grabs for your Totel Football team. Let's have a look at what the semi-finals may bring.

BRAZIL v GERMANY (Tuesday 8th July, 9pm)

This is a match that would befit a World Cup final, never mind a semi-final. These two teams have 8 world cups between them, and the atmosphere in Bela Horizonte will be at fever pitch. Many people say that the crowd has been Brazil's twelfth man. Many also say that the referee has been Brazil's thirteenth man. They could need even more outrageous decisions in their favour if they want to overcome a highly impressive German team.

Brazil are a two man team, unfortunately both of those men are out of this vital tie, Neymar with injury and Thiago Silva through suspension. Could this be the opportunity for Fred to show what he's really made of? His international goalscoring record is good, but he has looked far from sharp in the tournament so far. Without the trickery of Neymar, there's a surprising lack of flair in the side. Expect lots of long balls being launched from the back, and a win at all costs attitude.

Germany had to rely on a great save by Neuer from Benzema, to ensure a 1-0 victory over France. Their performance was much more impressive than the scoreline suggests, however, and in France they faced a more formidable opponent than they're likely to face on Tuesday. After an explosive start, Thomas Muller has hit a mini-goal drought, but shorn of Silva, I expect him to torment the host's defence. Lukas Podolski may return for the Germans, and Mesut Ozil seems to be improving with every game. At the back, Mertesacker may not be the most agile defender, but he won't have to be to cope with Fred and Hulk. The romantics might not like it, but a German victory by two or more goals seems the only likely outcome.

NETHERLANDS V ARGENTINA (Wednesday 9th July, 9pm)

No team has appeared in more World Cup finals than Holland, without winning one. Could this year be fourth time lucky? To get there they'll have to beat an Argentinian team who always seem to do just enough to win.

The Dutch team looked like world beaters as they swept aside Spain in the opening game, but they've looked anything but since. The bad news for Van Gaal is that his team seem to be getting worse with every game. Team captain Robin Van Persie in particular looked awful against Costa Rica, and Dutch fans are calling for him to be replaced with Van Huntelaar. Van Gaal is all too ready to change his goalkeeper, but will be less keen to drop a striker that he'll be relying on at his new club side next month. Memphis Depay and Daley Blind are too more players whose form has slumped. Do the Netherlands have the strength in depth to cope with this? The fact that one of their bench warmers, Leroy Fer, was a second choice player for relegated Norwich City says it all. Arjen Robben will be his usual mixture of flair and irritating dives, but this may be a step too far for his side.

Argentina looked much better in their quarter final against Belgium. Belgian Manager Marc Wilmots, with the graciousness he displayed throughout his playing career, said that Argentina were distinctly average. He didn't elaborate on what that said about his own team who were comprehensively outplayed by Sabella's team.

Messi played a deeper role, and Gonzalo Higuain benefited. He woke at last from his Brazilian siesta, and the reigning Golden Boot wearer could be on the scoresheet again. Messi himself will also be looking to score to increase his chances of overtaking James Rodriguez in this year's competition. Di Maria will miss the game, but Sergio Aguero could be ready to make a surprise comeback, possibly from the bench.

It could be an end to end game, but in the end it will surely be Argentina who prevail and set up a thrilling final against the Germans.

From today there are two changes to the game payout structure:

1. Top 20% of managers will receive a payout.
2. The proportion of the pool returned to users has been increased.

Payout weightings will mean that top managers will still win large amounts.

This is in response to repeated user feedback on the difficulty of getting a prize payout. 

This is the World Cup that keeps on giving. After the explosive, goal scoring bonanza of the group stage, the second round was more like a game of chess, but just as exciting. Many of the games had looked one sided on paper, but were anything but one sided on the Brazilian turf. That's one of the reasons why the competition at TotelFootball is just as fierce as it is in Rio or Bela Horizonte.

Despite scares and complications in every game, all 8 group winners have progressed to the Quarter Finals, for the first time in World Cup history. Lets have a look at what to expect in what FIFA suits are probably calling 'the round of 8'.

FRANCE V GERMANY (Friday 4th July, 5pm)

The quarter finals kick off in explosive style. I won't mention the war though, I'll leave that to the big game commentators. It doesn't get much bigger than this one, as Didier Deschamp's France take on Joachim Low's Germany.

France have been the more consistent of the two sides. Karim Benzema has carried his club form across to the national team, and is a potent threat to any defence. Paul Pogba, on the other hand, has been less than brilliant. He has hyped up to the stars before and even during the tournament, but France fans have been unhappy at his performances. If there was a golden boot for giving the ball away, he would be a real contender. It remains to be seen whether his late goal against Nigeria will boost his form, as he's never been a player short of confidence. If Pogba has disappointed then Matuidi and Valbuena have shone. I expect France to replace Olivier Giroud with Antoine Griezmann, and if they do it could be too much for Germany to handle.

Germany started their campaign in style. In fact, it was the fourth world cup in a row that they've scored four or more goals in their opening game. That hasn't paved the way for them to lift the trophy, and the same fate could befall them again. Unfortunately, they seem to be getting worse with every game, and they were very fortunate to overcome a resilient Argentina that was almost a France B-team. There's an over reliance on Muller, and using Lahm in midfield is looking a flawed policy. Injuries alone should see Lahm drop back to his ideal spot at right back. Germany certainly have the ability to win if they return to their best, but on current form I see France taking this by the odd goal in a high scoring encounter.

BRAZIL V COLOMBIA (Friday 4th July, 9pm)

Friday is a night for all football fans to be sat in front of the television, tallying up their Totel Football points. We have yet another cracking, and difficult to predict, encounter as Brazil face their second all South American  encounter in a row.

The hosts were very fortunate to win against Chile. They were saved by their crossbar, which has now been given the freedom of the country. Neymar looked off sorts, and this is just how he's been at Barcelona. Inconsistent. He started the tournament brilliantly, but could he be entering a slump at a critical time? If so, Brazil are finished. There's nobody to back him up. The statistics computer doesn't measure how far Fred runs in a match in yards, but in feet and inches. David Luiz is a more likely choice to score, and I expect to see him run forward in frustration at every opportunity.

The fact is that Colombia are a better team than Chile. They're fantastically well drilled, and work well as a team. In James Rodriguez, they have the find of the tournament. He's being called the next Messi. We've heard that before, of course, but his performances have so far lived up to the billing. Can the Brazilian defence cope with him? Thiago Silva is often touted as the best defender in the world, but I remain to be convinced. With Martinez a more than effective foil, I fully expect Colombia to progress and send the home nation into mourning. I hope that the riot police are on stand-by.

ARGENTINA v BELGIUM (Saturday 5th July, 5pm)

This game may be more of a slow burner than Friday's encounters, but it's just as difficult to predict. They say that the sign of a good team is being able to win when they aren't playing well. In that case, Argentina must be a very, very, very good team. To put it frankly, they have looked less than average in every game, especially in their encounter against Switzerland. There is an exception of course. Lionel Messi. Messi has been his usual spectacular self, but he has had no support at all from his team mates. Higuain and Di Maria are supposed to be world beaters, but they've played as if football is an alien concept to them. Di Maria was putting in a contender for worst performance of the tournament against Switzerland until his late goal. And that's some achievement when he's up against the likes of Fred and Phil Jagielka.

Belgium have been hyped up since the tournament kicked off. They've won every match, but haven't looked particularly impressive in any of them. Eden Hazard has looked muted, whereas Fellaini has played exactly like he does for his club. That's not a compliment. Surely it's time for the big haired one to take his rightful place on the bench? Adnan Januszaj could be a surprise replacement. USA had them on the ropes at the end of their tie, and a better team should put them away. Argentina have been too bad to believe, and I expect them to finally shake off their lethargy and see off the Belgians by a couple of goals.

NETHERLANDS V COSTA RICA (Saturday 5th July, 9pm)

This is the one tie that looks easy to predict, but at this World Cup you just never know. With Robben and Van Persie in the ranks, the Dutch are an argument waiting to happen. Van Persie, in particular, looked below par in the last game, and he could find his place under threat from Van Huntelaar. Wesley Schneider put in an improved perform against Mexico, and he'll be hoping to keep that up as he seeks, as ever, to attract the interest of Premier League clubs.

Costa Rica have exceeded all their hopes in reaching this stage, but they won't go out without a fight. Expect lots of crunching tackles, and Robben to fly through the air whenever a player comes within ten yards of him. Brian Ruiz is playing the football of his life, and he will be at his best again. Costa Rica showed incredible resilience in holding off Greece with only 10 men. Will that have drained their energy too much. Joel Campbell looked dead on his feet, but still found the reserves of energy to convert his spot kick. It's this refusal to give in that gives Costa Rica a chance of causing another upset. Suspensions may, however, take their toll and I expect the Dutch to win a close encounter within 90 minutes.

The round of 16 has carried on where the group stages left off, lots of goals, excitement and controversy, and Brazil having to squeak through via a penalty shoot-out,. Will the final four matches of the round be just as spectacular. The only certainty is that there's a lot of points for your Totel Football team to grab. Let's have a look at what we can expect from the games.

FRANCE V NIGERIA (Monday 30th June)

France have been formidable so far. Karim Benzema has shown that he truly is a world class finisher, but the star of the show so far has been Mathieu Valbuena. He is a real contender to be the player of the tournament, and Les Bleus are real contenders to win the World Cup. After a reserved last game against Ecuador, they should be back to their brilliant best.

Nigerian fans will be happy to have reached this stage, but their players are unsettled. Just as happened to Ghana, they are insisting on being paid their bonus before their game. One player who will need to be especially focussed is goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama. He performed heroics against Argentina. The Super Eagles crashed in that match, but can be happy at how hard they pushed Messi and co. Ahmed Mussa scored two spectacular goals, and he remains Nigeria's main threat. Expect him to shoot from distance at every chance he gets.

Nigeria have beaten France every time they've played them. Once. The tables will be turned on Monday, and France could win by 3 goals or more.

GERMANY V ALGERIA (Monday 30th June)

On paper this looks another one-sided match, but we've all seen how Brazil 2014 loves to throw in a surprise result. Thomas Muller seems to be getting better by the game, and it will be between him and Messi for the golden boot. Germany have been impressive in every game, and they seem to be able to switch into another gear whenever they have to. Toni Kroos pulls the strings from midfield, and he'll fancy his chances of getting on the score sheet against Algeria.

Talking of scoring, could this be the game where Miroslav Klose becomes the all-time top scorer in World Cup history? Expect him to be given 15 minutes at the end of the game, and if a penalty is awarded you can be sure who'll be taking it.

Algeria have performed fantastically well to reach this second round. They looked down and out against Russia, but refused to give in. The goalscorer that night, Islam Slimani, can be a handful for any team but he may find the physical presence of Per Mertesacker too much for him. Algeria will put up another tenacious showing, but Germany will win by at least 2 clear goals.

ARGENTINA v SWITZERLAND (Tuesday 31st June)

Argentina have been enigmatic so far. They were many people's tips to win the Cup, but had to work much harder than expected in their group games. They have a high quality line up but in reality it's all down to one man, the little wizard Lionel Messi. Who is best – Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo? This tournament has answered that question emphatically. Could this game see a Messi hat-trick? It's certainly possible.

The supporting cast of Higuain, Aguero and Di Maria also looks world class on paper, but have been very disappointing. Aguero in particular has been well below par. He will miss this game through injury, and his replacement Ezequiel Lavezzi should grab his chance with both hands.

Switzerland are ranked in the top 5 in the world by FIFA. That says all about the rankings, and very little about the Swiss. They had a great defensive record coming into the competition, but their dismantling by France was brutal. They can expect the same again. Xherdan Shaqiri is a talented player, but he's surrounded by mediocrity. This should be Argentina's biggest win of the tournament so far.

BELGIUM V USA (Tuesday 31st June)

Belgium are a team well known to Irish and UK football lovers, as a large portion of their squad plays in England. It's for that reason that they've been severely over-rated. Eden Hazard is their star player, but he doesn't have the same impact on international matches as his Chelsea predecessor Arjen Robben had. Thibault Courtois is their other stand out player, but the rest of team is distinctly average at best. Romela Lukaku is a talented young striker, but he looks far from sharp at the moment. They progressed through their group without defeat, but also without impressing.

The United States will provide a sterner test. Few expected them to progress through the group of death, but it's important to realise that there is a football, okay 'soccer', revolution going on there. As the sport becomes ever more popular, they're going to get better and better. For all that, the USA are reliant on two seasoned veterans. Clint Dempsey has been magnificent, and ex-Germany international Jermaine Jones has also been turning back the years for his new country. In Juergen Klinsmann, they have a top class coach and he'll have his charges just as pumped up as they were for their match against Portugal. The USA have the largest fun base, after the hosts, in Brazil and the noise will be deafening. Many will see this as a surprise prediction, but I back the USA to prevail. It could even come down to extra time or penalties.