Holland vs Denmark
Holland vs Denmark betting preview
World Cup odds – Holland vs Denmark
Runners up in ’74 and ’78, the World Cup trophy has thus far has eluded the Dutch so could 2010 in South Africa be their year?
The Oranje set the neutrals’ pulses racing during the group stages of Euro 2008 before eventually succumbing to the Russians in the quarter-final, and Bert Van Marwijk’s determined bunch will want to kick-off their World Cup campaign in similar fashion. The Netherlands take on Denmark in the opening game in Group E and the first all European clash of the tournament. And after notching up impressive victories in their pre World Cup warm-up games the Dutch are odds on favourites and rightly so to win this one; they can be backed at 8/13 with Boylesports.
They’re not quite the tournament favourites but they’re most certainly lurking amongst the Spanish and Brazilians somewhere, probably under the darkhorse tag. Very few might not predict it, but few would be surprised if Holland got their hands on the trophy this summer and are as short as 4/7 with SkyBet to breeze through the group stages and top Group E. Number 4 in the FIFA World rankings, the Dutch won all their qualifying games and were the first team to qualify for the finals. Well what do you expect from a team that boasts the likes of Robin Van Persie, Wesley Sneijder, Rafael van der Vaart and Arjen Robben? And although the latter hobbled off in their last friendly against Hungary, the ex-Chelsea ace is expected to feature in the latter stages of the tournament should his country get there.
While Bert Van Marwijk’s side may not strut an abundance of glittering strikers, it is the men who sit just behind them that make them one of the most technically astute European teams. Van Persie can conjure something from nothing, Robben’s pace and ability to dribble compliment Sneijder who is regarded as the diminutive playmaker. All that’s missing is a workhorse – but they certainly have one of those as well in Dirk Kuyt, the Liverpool man is not short of admirers and will be hoping to impress on the big stage.
Like me, you’re probably thinking how the Danes will nullify these multiple threats in the lunchtime kick-off in Johannesburg. Morten Olsen’s side are not at South Africa by chance though one must remember, they topped a tough qualifying group that including both Portugal and Sweden. Denmark are there on merit and will fancy their chances of progressing with Holland, they are favoured over both Japan and Cameroon who complete the group. But the bookies do not favour them in the opener against the Dutch, Victor Chandler offer a best price 6/1 to claim all three points on day four of the tournament. An interesting statistic to consider if you intend to bet on this one – Denmark have previously won three of their opening matches at the World Cup. And the form book suggests this one could be a tight knit affair, five out of the last six meetings have ended all square so the draw could be attractive at 3/1 with Bet365. The last meeting between the pair came in a 1-1 friendly draw in May 2008.
Another Arsenal striker will lead the Scandinavian attack, Nicklas Bendtner can stun the Dutch rearguard with the opener at 11/1 but preference is obviously for Robin Van Persie to break the deadlock. He will naturally be a popular First Goalscorer bet after bagging goals in all his country’s warm-up games, SkyBet offer a creditable 4/1 which looks a sound bet. If Arjen Robben fails to recover from injury in time to face the Danes, there will be a heavier reliance on Wesley Sneijder to deliver, and he is worth a punt at 15/2 to grab the opener. Stoke City’s Thomas Sorensen looks sure to be kept busy at Soccer City, he was beaten by a single Aussie strike in their last friendly which have cast a few doubts over Danish chances in South Africa.
The first half could end goalless as both teams come to grips with the occasion and the atmosphere in Johannesburg, neither side will want to give too much away early on. You can get odds of 3/1 that the first forty-five ends in a stalemate and Bert Van Marwijk’s side go on to win the second. One can’t help but feel Holland will prove too strong for Denmark and it’s difficult to see where the Danes’ goal supply will stem from. Blue Square offers a generous 6/4 that The Netherlands win to nil.
Holland vs Denmark betting tips
Holland to win to nil with best odds at Blue Square – New customers get £66 in free bets
First half to have under 0.5 goals at best odds 2.75 with Will Hill – New customers get 3 x £10 free bets
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