WORLD CUP BETTING PICK - NETHERLANDS V SPAIN

World Cup

2010-07-11 - Netherlands vs Spain

A Sports Betting Pick by Shady

Netherlands v Spain
Football : FIFA World Cup 2010 : World Cup Final
Sunday, 11th July 2010 - Kickoff 8:30pm local

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This is the biggest game on earth – The World Cup Final. Both teams have yet to win the World Cup and history will be re-written as either countries have a chance to add a star to their jersey and add their names to the list of World Cup Winners.

Paul The Octopus backed Spain to win but will you dare to put your money on the pick of a muscle-seeking Octopus?

Netherlands :

Netherlands have not been playing sweeping football like they did before but effective football is what is being deployed by Van Marwijk’s side. Despite not playing attractive football, Netherlands have a 100% winning record in the World Cup and should they win tonight, they will only be the fifth side to do so in World Cup history.

To be honest, i am not totally impressed with a couple of Dutch players – Kuyt and Van Persie. Both of them are more than capable in scoring but they have not been at their very best in my opinion. However with the likes of Sneijder scoring the goals and Robben creating the chances the Netherlands have reached the World Cup Final and have a good chance to win it!

Mark Van Bommel has been crucial in this Dutch team. The defensive Midfield have been sharp with his passes and tackle and has cause havoc in the middle of the park. His passes have often created opportunity for the likes of Robben and Sneijder.

The key player for the Oranje would have to be Sneidjer. Five goals from midfield is an astonishing record and he has equalled the most goals score by a Dutch player in a single World Cup.

As reported, Busquet will be given the job to mark Sneijder BUT the last time Busquet was asked to marked Sneijder, Sneijder had total control of the game, scored a goal and had an assist in the game. Therefore if Busquet is given this task, be prepared to see the same.

Spain :

With all the years of disappointment behind them since winning their first international level trophy back in 2008, Spain are ready to complete the double and so far only Germany in 1974 have went on to win the World Cup after winning the European Championship.

Despite all the attacking talents Del Bosque have at his disposal, Spain have only scored 7 goals in this World Cup and they will need to score 4 goals to avoid becoming the lowest-scoring World Cup winner. Del Bosque have heavily relied on David Villa as he has scored 5 out of the 7 goals for Spain.

The midfield movements of Xavi, Iniesta, Busquet and Alonso have been superb with Xavi making a complete pass once every minute BUT despite having possession, Spain have rather been toothless in front of goal.

Fernando Torres who was dropped by Del Bosque against Germany is likely to sit out this game once again as his replacement, Pedro did well and look lively with his runs. However the disadvantage of not playing Torres is, David Villa will have to start in a more central role and has find difficult in scoring in that position.

In both the games David Villa started in a central role(against Switzerland and Germany), David Villa failed to score. Therefore it will be key for Torres to start as Villa can than play in his more preferred left flank and cut in.

Probable Line-Ups :

Netherlands :
Stekelenburg, Van Der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen, Van Bronckhorst, Van Bommel, De Jong, Robbem, Sneijder, Kuty and Van Persie

Spain :
Casillas, Ramos, Puqie, Puyol, Capdevila, Busquet, Alonso, Xavi, Iniesta, Pedro/Torres and Villa.

Octopus Pick

"Paul The Octopus" has picked Spain to win - by eating the muscle in the box closest to him when they went into the water, this might produce a bump of people who will jump on the "psychic squid" and support Spain and the odds will definitely go up for the Oranje.

Me? I just think that the Octopus was hungry.

Note that hte Octopus has have only ever predicted games involving Germany and this is the first time it is predicting a game that does not feature Germany. Could that confuse the squid?

THe Betting Verdict :

The match should be decided in midfield. Van Bommel will have to keep Xavi quite while Busquet must get the better of Sneijder.

As i see it, Busquet is too small and rather young to be given the job to keep Senijder quite while Van Bommel have the experience to handle Xavi – not forgetting, Bommel played alongside Xavi in Barcelona a couple of seasons ago.

Spain will once again dominate the possession but and the key in winning sides that play possession football is utilizing skilled players. The Germans tried to match them by playing possession football but failed and if the Netherlands were to do the same, they will end up like the Germans BUT should they utilize the skill of Robben, Van Persie and Sneidjer, the Dutch have a fantastic chance in winning.

The position of where David Villa starts is another key factor. All his goals came when he started on the left flank with he has fired blanks on both occasion he started as a lone striker.

Capdevila is not the fastest player on earth and he likes to join the attack. With Robben playing at his opposite position, Robben’s pace and skill might just be too hot for Capdevila to handle.

The Germans did well to keep David Villa quite and if the Dutch can do the same, they will have a great chance to win the World Cup but Stekelenburg will have to improve should this dream become a reality.

Therefore I will be brave and back the Netherlands to finally land their World Cup Final

The Pick :