Uruguay vs Netherlands Betting Pick | World Cup

World Cup

2010-07-06 - Uruguay vs Netherlands

A Sports Betting Pick by Cruiser

Analysis:

The World Cup has been very unpredictable so far as Uruguay and Holland prepare to meet in Cape Town for the first of two semi-finals match.

Bert van Marwijk's Holland have surpassed expectations to reach this far while Uruguay are showing glimpses of the team that have done so well back in the 1930 and 1950.

As it is now, Uruguay are the last representative of South America after Brazil and Argentina have been shown the exit. Uruguay are the first winners of the World Cup 80 years ago. before repeating the feat two decades later, but they are now in no man's land as they are on their best run since finishing fourth in 1970.

Holland meanwhile have never won the World Cup but have been beaten finalists in 1974 and 1978, were the dark horse choice of many prior to the start of the tournament in South Africa.

Oscar Tabarez the coach of Uruguay is refusing to get carried away as the nations hopes of winning the World Cup draws closer as this is their best run since 40 years ago and he does not want the pressure to impact upon his players against a Holland team who have not lost in 24 matches coming to the World Cup.

Uruguay are still the outsiders despite topping their group A and defeating South Korea in the second round prior to the dramatic and controversial quarter-final elimination of Ghana.

Tabarez will miss the services of influential striker Luis Suarez, who decided to use his hands to save a definite goal from Ghana, is now suspended following his red card.

Defender Jorge Ciro Fucile is also ineligible, while captain Diego Lugano is an injury doubt and midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro has been ruled out of the finals due to a broken foot. The key man will no doubt be Diego Forlan and he has a heavy burden to shoulder here.

For Holland, Van Marwijk will be trying to avoid news of bust ups as they aim to go better than they did in 1998 after getting to their first semifinals since 12 years ago.

Van Marwijk has been openly critisized for not following the Total Football Styles of the likes of Johan Cruyff, Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten, but one thing that cannot be argued is that he has got them this far and got the job done so far.

They topped Group E with a 100% record, and beating Slovakia before stunning favourites Brazil, they have yet to lose a match since a friendly against Australia in September 2008 and they are expected to start as favourites here.

The Dutch were boosted when main striker Robin van Persie was declared fit to play against Uruguay as an injury to his left elbow was not as bad as feared.

They are injury free after defender Joris Mathijsen has also recovered after a knee problem. However, the likes of midfielder Nigel de Jong and defender Gregory van der Wiel are out of the game due to suspension.

Take Netherlands to get to the final and beat Uruguay in the full 90 minutes here.

Cheers and good luck,
Cruiser