Netherlands v Slovakia
Football : FIFA World Cup 2010 : Second Round
Monday 28th June 2010 - Kickoff 4pm local

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Netherlands

The Netherlands will be pleased with the results so far, but a little "luke warm" about the quality of the performances in the group games.

Denmark were beaten 2-0, but the Dutch side needed a comical own goal from Daniel Agger to get the ball rolling, and then Japan were beaten 1-0 thanks to a second half strike from Wesley Sniejder.

In the final match Cameroon were overcome 2-1, with Klaus Huntelaar scoring the winner in the 83rd minute, but once again it was a rather even match.

So are Holland "doing an Italian job" in the sense of doing just enough to win and building through the tournament in order to finish on a high? Maybe - maybe not.

Netherlands Team News :
Manager Bert Van Marwijk has no suspensions to juggle, but star player Arjen Robben could make his first start of the World Cup after coming on as a substitute against Cameroon.

The Dutch management have been cautious with his recovery, but if Robben is going to start against Brazil then he is going to need an extended run in this match. there is a chance he will feature in the starting XI.

I also expect that Gregory van der Wiel will return the defence ahead of Khalid Boulahrouz.

Probable Netherlands Starting Line- up :
Stekelenberg; Van der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen, Van Bronkhorst; Van Bommel, De Jong; Kuyt, Sneijder, Robben; Van Persie.

Slovakia

Slovakia are here in the knockout stages, after rescuing their World Cup tournament with a superb performance in the final group F game - beating Italy 3-2.

Earlier in the group, Slovakia had been timid in facing little New Zealand, choosing to shut up shop after Robert Vittek had given his side a 1-0 lead in the 50th minute and then conceding a late equaliser.

Then we saw Slovakia play a very poor match as they were comprehensively outplayed by Paraguay, losing 0-2 and not even managing a shot on target until the 93rd minute of the match.

So where did that attacking and inventive performance against Italy come from? And will manager Vladimir Weiss be prepared to play that way again?

I don't think so. I expect Vittek to be pretty much by himself upfront as Slovakia will look to hit on the counter and Marek Hamsik will once again be relied on for creativity.

Slovakia Team News :
Veteran midfielder Zdeno Strba is suspended after picking up his second yellow card against Italy. The defensive midfielder's presence in the centre of the pitch is likely to be greatly missed.

The coach's son, Vladimir Weiss, could get back into the starting lineup.

Probable Slovakia Starting Line-up :
Mucha, Pekarik, Skrtel, Durica, Zabavnik; Weiss, Hamsik, Kucka, Stoch; Vittek, Jendrisek.

The Betting Verdict

The most likely scenario is that the Netherlands will dominate posession and territory and with Robben back in his stride the Dutch should create a few chances.

One of the problems the Dutch have is that both Robin Van Persie and Dirk Kyut are less than lethal up front. They'll score their share of goals but they are also likely to miss quite a few as well. Let's just say that they are not in the class of Van Basten or Van Nistelrooy.

If Slovakia can find the mental strength to give another attacking and aggressive performance, similar in quality to the one that beat Italy then a shock could be on the cards.

However, it's more likely that the Oranje will progress to a probable quarter-final match-up with mighty Brazil.

The Pick :

Netherlands 2-0 Slovakia

PERCENTAGE ESTIMATE :

Netherlands 59% - Draw 23% - Slovakia 18%

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I expect NETHERLANDS to win within normal time.

Whether it's a good value bet is a different matter as all the bookmakers are dropping prices fast.