Latinos rule as Brazil meets Argentina in Confederations Cup Final

Brazil and Argentina may have stumbled along the way but they eventually lived up to their star billing by making it through to Wednesday's Confederations Cup final. This dream match-up between the South American footballing superpowers is seen by many as a potential dress rehearsal for the World Cup final back in Germany next year.

The competition, full of goals and incident since day one, has the making of a classic for its final game. Brazil, with an extra day's rest, will hope that the opposition are fatigued after such a relentless struggle in Hanover. At the forefront of Argentine minds will be the memory that it was only three weeks ago that they proved themselves distinctly superior in a FIFA World Cup qualifying tie.

But Frankfurt will also be staging a reprise of last year's Copa America final in Peru when it was Brazil's turn to gloat. Ironic as well that the 'Festival of Champions' should come down to a showdown not between the champions of two continents but the strongest rivals from one.

Brazil have the a chance for quick revenge after their 3-1 loss to Jose Pekerman's side in this month's FIFA World Cup qualifier. While Brazil had flirted with the possibility of going out after the group stage following their defeat by Mexico, Argentina themselves were indebted to Luciano Figueroa's 110th-minute equaliser in the semi-final against the same opponents, forcing a penalty shoot-out from which they emerged triumphant.

Argentina face the reigning world champions without striker Javier Saviola who is suspended after being sent off against Mexico. The Monaco player's place is due to be filled by Real Zaragoza's Luciano Galletti. Adriano, Brazil's bull of an attacker and scorer of two of the goals in the 3-2 semifinal win over Germany, limped out of training on Monday but was later declared fit to take part.

Brazil's coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has opened almost all his training sessions to the public, elevating the prodigiously skilled stars from Rio and Sao Paolo to the status of folk heroes among the German football family.

The countries have met 92 times before, with the score changing depending on which camp you talk to. Brazil reckon it stands at 33 wins apiece with 26 draws, Argentina disagree, claiming they hold the advantage with 37 wins against 33 defeats and 22 draws.

Sports Betting Game Odds from: BODOG Sports Betting

Head-To-Head:

Argentina

+195

Brazil +120

Draw +200

Prediction: Brazil will erase the memories of it's World Cup qualifying loss against the Argentines a couple of weeks back. Ronaldinho and Robinho will find the net for the world champions. Argentina will pull one goal back courtesy of Riquelme but will fade down the stretch. Brazil to lift the trophy, 2-1.

for more 2006 FIFA Confederations Cup Betting Tips, Odds, Picks, Lines and Predictions, click here: European Soccer Betting

Technorati: Juan Roman Riquelme, Confederations Cup, Soccer, FIFA Confederations Cup, World Cup, FIFA World Cup, Soccer Betting, Soccer Tips, World Cup Tips, World Cup Picks