Euro 2008
2008-06-13 - Netherlands vs France
A Sports Betting Pick by Gooner
UEFA Euro 2008 - Group C
Stade de Suisse Wankdorf, Berne
Friday 13th June 2008 - KO 19:45
Netherlands
Let's be clear - it doesn't get any better than beating the World Champions 3-0 on opening day - but the Dutch team and fans need to be careful about reading too much into a result on a day when everything went right.
Two years ago in the World Cup in Germany we saw Argentina thrash Serbia 6-0 in their first match, and yet - by the end of the quarter-finals - the Argentines were out having been eliminated on penalties by the hosts.
Coach Marco Van Basten is no fool and said "We cannot talk of a new era, we have won one game – the first in our pool. I'm very happy to beat a big opponent but we have only taken one step."
Still - you'd much rather win big than take a loss - and Holland can cement progress to the knockout stage if they're able to repeat the performance against France.
France
France missed a chance to heap real pressure on Italy when they could only draw 0-0 with Romania, and the way things stand right now the French now need at least a win and a draw from their next two games.
If Italy beat Romania (as expected) in the early game then France will know that even a draw here will still leave them needing to beat Italy on the final day. That situation could open up the game.
Coach Raymond Domenech spent a lot of his post-match talk discussing the prospects of Patrick Vieria and Theirry Henry playing in the tournament - which suggest that he also was not happy with the way his side played.
Captain Patrick Vieira will be fit to play against the Netherlands.
HEAD TO HEAD
These two giants have met 21 times since 1908, and the Netherlands hold a slender 9-4-8 advantage over the French side.
The last time these two sides met was in Rotterdam in 2004, when the two teams battled to a 0-0 draw.
TEAM NEWS
Netherlands winger Arjen Robben is back in contention after recovering from a groin strain.
Rob van Persie has also shaken off a thigh problem but striker Klas-Jan Huntelaar (calf) and Mario Melchiot (pelvis) are set to miss out.
France coach Raymond Domenech has a full squad to select from and has revealed he is considering making up to four changes (without actually saying what they were).
But Domenech is unlikely to alter the conservative approach he adopted against Romania.
Striker Thierry Henry and midfielder Patrick Vieira are both fully fit and expected to return for France. Both missed Monday's 0-0 draw with Romania but could replace Nicolas Anelka and Jeremy Toulalan in Berne.
The VERDICT
Most bookmakers say that there is nothing to choose between the two sides and I agree with that given the return of Vieira to the FRench line-up.
Some bookies have the French as longer outsiders at over 3.00+ and there is a touch of value about that in a game that they do need to win.
(EDIT : that did not last long - big prices gone )
So we have two quality sides, and a situation where one side really needs to force the victory, so all three results are very possible.
BEST BETTING TIP :
This one's a "no bet" for me - what do you think?Have your vote below.
