Arjen Robben’s return should see an improved Dutch performance

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The Netherlands have won all three of their matches at the 2010 World Cup, conceding just one goal in the process. Despite this, they haven’t been brilliant and are yet to put in a performance that suggests that they will be World Cup winners in South Africa.

Arjen Robben, however, will be back in the starting XI this afternoon and that could well spark a much improved performance from the Dutch and should see them comfortable dispose of Slovakia.

Robben, who can be backed at 13/2 (VictorChandler) to open the scoring, is one of the best footballers on the planet and his pace and attacking verve will inspire players like Robin Van Persie (4/1, Coral) and Wesley Sneijder (8/1, StanJames) to raise their game to the level they reach for Arsenal and Inter Milan respectively.

Slovakia pulled off arguably the shock of the tournament so far, when beating Italy three-two to send the 2006 champions out of the World Cup, but they may struggle to contain the Dutch this afternoon. It is 9/1 (BetFred) that the Eastern Europeans win today, but it will be more profitable to oppose them.

The Netherlands are just 4/9 (Boylesports) to beat Slovakia and 6/5 (Bet365) to beat a one goal handicap. They should be able to do both and if Robben, who is 9/5 (ExtraBet) to score at any time, plays as he did when coming off the bench against Cameroon, it could end in a comprehensive victory for Holland.

Germany and Argentina have laid down markers with their last 16 performances against England and Mexico and the Netherlands can do the same this afternoon in what should be a hugely entertaining match for neutrals.

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Match Handicap (-1 Goal) – Netherlands (6/5, Bet365)