Netherlands vs Slovakia
FreeToday’s featured game is the World Cup second round game between Netherlands and Slovakia. Netherlands won all three group games without dazzling their opponents so they have to be feared as they’ve still got another level to go to. Slovakia tried their utmost and just about managed to qualify but you sense that they don’t have much else to give, which is worrying for them at this stage of the competition.
Netherlands and Germany appear to have swapped styles with the Germans now employing free-flowing attacking football and the Dutch grinding out efficient wins! It’s a bit unusual but I suppose whatever gets the job done works! The good news for Netherlands is that Robben is fit again now and is still as sensational as ever as his contribution from the bench against Cameroon indicated all too clearly. Netherlands still have plenty of goalscorers in their side but now they have an additional flair option so I expect to see an increase in their overall quality in this tournament today. Netherlands still have the likes of Van Persie, Sneijder, and Van Der Vaart causing problems so it’s impossible to underestimate such a quality set of players. It’s only going to take one game for the Dutch to truly enter their stride and when they do, I think we’ll see a whitewash of a game. Either way, Netherlands always fashion chances from somewhere and they tend to take them so you have to feel that they’ll score at least once against Slovakia today.
I’ve mentioned in the past that Van Marwijk doesn’t like to focus on defending, which should ordinarily make this bet quite risky. However, the dominating midfield that he fields each game tends to mean that the Dutch don’t concede goals as his philosophy is simply that if your team has the ball then you won’t concede. Therefore, Van Der Vaart and Sneijder are particularly important to this side, as is holding midfielder Mark Van Bommel. The aerial ability of Kuyt drifting in from the right, the quality of Robin Van Persie, and the flair of Arjen Robben could and should have defences trembling and Slovakia are no exception to that rule.
Slovakia’s win against Italy in their last game was arguably the pinnacle of their international footballing history so my hat goes off to them for that. I didn’t think they’d lose the game but similarly, I didn’t think they’d win either. Slovakia are a well-organised outfit that benefits strongly from the likes of Skrtel and Durica in defence. They’re a hard side to score against, basically. However, they have a particular weak point in attack as they don’t really have any variations to their style. Jendrisek, Vittek, and Sestak (when used in attack instead of on the wing) are all quick, decent finishers, and capable of beating their men. However, Weiss doesn’t seem to like using the likes of Holosko or Jakubko to give them another option in attack – height – and too often Slovakia’s attack looks one-dimensional as a result. They scored just once against New Zealand and didn’t really threaten Paraguay in their game so it’s fair to say that Slovakia are lacking in attack. Their midfield is quite solid with Hamsik pulling the strings but I don’t think they’ve got enough to break through this good Netherlands side today, to be blunt. If the Dutch play a high line at the back then the Slovaks can catch them on the counter-attack if they field their traditionally pacey attackers but that’s their sole consistent threat, barring their ever-present set piece threat.
With the above in mind, it’s hard to entertain Slovakia doing anything in this game. Netherlands are by far the better side and should comfortably win the game. As I touched upon briefly earlier, this bet does have risk as Netherlands don’t focus on defending but Slovakia’s attack is one-dimensional enough to be dealt with rather easily so you have to favour the Dutch to win to nil at generous odds of evens.
Verdict: Netherlands to win to nil at evens.
Monday’s Picks
My tips:
As ever, below are my recommended value tips for today in no particular order:
Brazil vs Chile – both teams to score at 6/5.
How many of you thought you’d be sat where you are ahead of this game whilst thinking that Chile are the better footballing side? Not many, and those who aren’t thinking that – you’re crazy!
Brazil haven’t impressed en mass at the tournament with Dunga’s defensive displays and they’ve looked a little unfamiliar at the back, being rather easily caught out too often, something evident from the fact that they’ve conceded in two out of their last three games. Brazil really lack innovation without Kaka and Elano, much moreso than I’d anticipated, but you just know that they always create chances. The likes of Robinho and Fabiano are more than capable of taking their chances in attack so Brazil not scoring in this game is something I cannot envision happening. Brazil have some magical individuals and although their overall tactics are questionable, you have to feel that they’ll score in this game today.
Chile were outstanding against Spain in their last match and outplayed both Honduras and Switzerland comfortably before that so don’t underestimate this side. They’re very adept at keeping the ball and have extremely high confidence levels as a result. They play some beautiful football and break with pace at all times. The only flaws in the Chile displays are goalscoring and temperament. They don’t score enough goals, despite their blatant saturation of creativity in their side, and they don’t keep cool heads often enough, just like their club sides. As a result of a lack of temperament, Chile are now missing the likes of Ponce, Estrada, and Medel for this game, which is going to impact them horribly defensively, enough so for even their dominance on the ball to yield errors and allow Brazil to score. However, what I like about Chile is their relentless desire and capability to attack so I fancy them to break through a fairly shaky Brazilian defence today, particularly with wonderkid Alexis Sanchez in glittering form at the moment.
I’m expecting a very good game between these two sides as it’s not often you’ll see Chile outplay Brazil in terms of “the beautiful game” but that’s what I expect to happen today. However, their missing players will probably result in Chile exiting the competition, although I do expect Chile to score in this game because of their overall creativity. Therefore, you have to feel that backing both sides to score in this game at 6/5 holds some good value today.
Verdict: Both sides to score at 6/5.
As ever, if there any questions/explanations required then please feel free to post a comment! For the remainder of my thoughts on today’s games, see below!
World Cup:
Netherlands vs Slovakia (8) 2-0
Brazil vs Chile (7) both sides to score
Singaporean S-League:
Home United vs Tampines Rovers (5) 2-1
Swedish Superettan:
Jonkopings Sodra vs Syrianska Sodertalje (5)
IFK Norrkoping vs Angelholm (8) under 2.5 goals
Brage vs Orgryte (7) both sides to score
Enjoy your free betting tips!