Germany striker Lukas Podolski is expected to shake off a minor muscle strain in time to face Argentina in the quarter-finals of the World Cup (Argentina 11/8, draw 9/4, Germany 9/4 – match betting).

The Cologne star was forced out of training on Wednesday but it was only a precautionary measure and it would be a massive surprise if he did not start in Cape Town (Podolski 8/1 – First Goalscorer).

Podolski, who was named the Best Young Player at the 2006 World Cup, will be needed as Cacau is not thought to be ready to return from an abdominal problem.

Germany coach Joachim Loew admits his side cannot afford to give the likes of Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain an inch at Green Point Stadium if they want to reach the semi-finals.

He said: “I expect an unbelievably tight match as we cannot allow ourselves any mistakes because for any mistake we make, they will punish us in an ice-cold way.”

Germany topped Group D despite a defeat to Serbia before hammering England 4-1 in the second round with the goals coming from Podolski, Miroslav Klose and Thomas Muller (2).

Loew’s side are 7/1 to win the World Cup on July 11.