Euro 2008
2007-10-17 - Holland vs Slovenia
A Sports Betting Pick by Erik
Holland
Holland lost their first game in the qualification campaign for EURO 2008 last Saturday 1-0 on the road to Romania. The visitors played a good first half but had to concede a goal twenty minutes from time in the second half with the Dutch mainly battling against the hard wind.
Due to the defeat against Romania the team remained on the second place in the table with the gap to the leaders Romania growing to three points.
With Bulgaria being two points down on the Dutch, the team of manager Van Basten will have to collect seven points in the next three games in order to be ensured of a place in the final tournament next year and Holland will start with home game against Slovenia on Wednesday.
Van Nistelrooij (att), Van Bronckhorst (def) and Mathijssen (def) all picked up yellow cards in the game against Romania all three players will be suspended on Wednesday with Sneijder (mid) and Van Persie (att) returning in the selection after being suspended against Romania.
Heitinga (def) resumed training on Tuesday after picking up a minor injury while Ooijer (def) has been added to the selection replacing Van Bronckhorst (def) and bringing some much needed experience back in the defense.
Slovenia
Slovenia is currently on the fourth place in Group G and the team has been eliminated for a place in the final tournament being nine points down on Holland with only two more games to play.
Last Saturday the team drew 0-0 at home to Albania with both teams unable to break the deadlock and repeating the result of their first meeting back in March.
Slovenia will be without Stevanovic (mid) and Slovenia coach Kek once again selected a young selection of players with the team manager trying to form a new team which will have to become be the hope of Slovenian football in the following years.
THE Verdict
The first meeting between both teams back in March ended in a 1-0 win for Holland with Van Bronckhorst (def) scoring the only goal of the match four minutes from time.
After losing from Romania last Saturday only a win can bring the Dutch back on track where a defeat would give Bulgaria the possibility to leapfrog Holland in the ranking.
Sneijder (mid) and Van Persie (att) will return from suspension, but main striker Van Nistelrooij (att) will be suspended with Huntelaar (att) and Van der Vaart (att) being the main contenders for a place up front.
With all players being very eager for a result on Wednesday anything else than a home win would be a major surprise and with Van Persie (att) and Sneijder (mid) returning in the selection, a lot of creativity will be brought back in the team and I expect a clear home win for the Dutch on Wednesday with Van Persie (att) getting on the score sheet.
BEST BETTING TIP :
Holland to win $1.19 (Betfair)10/10 units staked on this but given the low odds excellent material for a combi bet
Van Persie to score anytime $2.38 (Bet365)
4/10 units staked on this one
