Brazil look too strong in every department for the Dutch
Brazil have looked very impressive so far in the 2010 World Cup, having came through the ‘group of death’ with Portugal, Ivory Coast and North Korea completely unscathed and then beaten Chile comfortably in the last 16 of the tournament.
There are no apparent weaknesses in Dunga’s side, with Julio Cesar looking safe in goals and the defence, protected by the evergreen Gilberto Silva as solid as any other side’s in South Africa.
In attack, Luis Fabiano, Kaka and Robinho have been combining brilliantly and at times that trio have looked unplayable.
It is 20/21 with Totesport that Brazil beat the Netherlands on Friday and that looks a very good price on the five-times world champions.
Netherlands have won all four of their matches so far in South Africa, but they are yet to face an opponent that is anywhere near the calibre of Brazil. Cameroon, Denmark, Japan and Slovakia are all fairly limited sides and it could be claimed that the Dutch should have won every one of those matched by more than they did.
Unlike Brazil, Netherlands haven’t really convinced yet in the World Cup, but the assumption is that Robin Van Persie, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben will be able to raise their game for the big occasion. It does not, however, always work out that way, as France, Italy and England will testify.
Robben, who is 10/1 with SkyBet to open the scoring, has looked good when he has played and the key to the game will be how Brazil handle his threat. If Gilberto Silva and Felipe Melo can shackle the Bayern Munich forward, then Brazil will win, but if they can’t deal with Robben’s pace, then Netherlands have a chance to either draw (12/5, Bet365) or win the match (7/2, Bet365).
Scoring goals won’t, however, be enough to beat Brazil if the Dutch defence can’t stop Brazil’s attack. So far, the Netherlands have kept clean sheets in two of their four matches in South Africa, but that has been largely down to ball retention rather than because of any defensive solidity. They will have nowhere near the same volume of possession against Dunga’s side and thus will be forced to defend more than they have in previous matches in the tournament.
That could be a problem as Bert Van Marwijk’s side have, actually, looked vulnerable whenever teams have tried to attack them, particularly down the flanks. Maicon and Michel Bastos will cause Giovani Van Bronckhurst and Gregory Van Der Wiel huge problems when they push forward to support the Brazilian attack and that could be what swings the game in favour of Brazil.
Recommendation
Win Market – Brazil (20/21, Totesport)
