Spain v Netherlands - World cup betting tips & predictions

Match	Date	Selection	Bet	Odds	Bet now
Spain v Netherlands - World cup betting tips & predictions World Cup 2014, International	13/06/2014 22:00	full time result	Spain	1.85	Bet at B
Betting prediction was written by Ronny

Spain qualified top of their world cup qualifier group with 6 wins 2 draws and no losses. They also managed an impressive 14-3 goal difference in the process. The Spaniards has been on top of their game for years, and I doubt they’ll do much worse this time around.

The Netherlands go into this world cup having qualified with 9-1-0 and a goal difference of 34-5 from their qualification group. The Netherlands have an exciting mix of young raw talent and experienced players on the international scene.

The Spanish World Cup Squad

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Liverpool), David De Gea (Manchester United)

Defenders: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Raul Albiol (Napoli), Javi Martinez (Bayern Munich), Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea)

Midfielders: Xavi (Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Santi Cazorla (Arsenal), Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Juan Mata (Manchester United), David Silva (Manchester City)

Forwards: Pedro (Barcelona), Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid), David Villa (Atletico Madrid), Fernando Torres (Chelsea).

I see no reason commenting. This is a fantastic squad. The depth in quality is quite frankly shocking.

The Dutch World Cup squad

Goalkeepers: Jasper Cillessen (Ajax), Tim Krul (Newcastle United), Michel Vorm (Swansea City)

Defenders: Daley Blind (Ajax), Stefan de Vrij, Daryl Janmaat, Terence Kongolo, Bruno Martins Indi (all Feyenoord), Paul Verhaegh (Augsburg), Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa), Joël Veltman (Ajax)

Midfielders: Jordy Clasie (Feyenoord), Jonathan de Guzmán (Swansea City), Nigel de Jong (Milan), Leroy Fer (Norwich City), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich), Wesley Sneijder (Galatasaray), Georginio Wijnaldum (PSV Eindhoven)

Forwards: Memphis Depay (PSV Eindhoven), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Schalke), Dirk Kuyt (Fenerbahce), Jeremain Lens (Dynamo Kiev), Robin van Persie (Manchester United).

A notable miss in Strootman (Roma) who is a Louis Van Gaal darling! No room for van der Wiel (PSG) either after his injury. Rafael van der Vaart (HSV) got injured in training and will not participate either . It’s been said they will play 3-5-2 in the world cup. It will be highly interesting to see how that works out for them if it wasn’t just a smokescreen set up by the coach.

Warm up games

Spain took on Bolivia in Sevilla, and won 2-0 in a very one sided game. Bolivia finished 8th out of nine teams in the South American world cup qualifying league, struggling for goals, so it wasn't the strongest of opponents. That said: Spain could have won by several more had it not been for a magnificent Romel Quinonez standing between the sticks for Bolivia. The Spaniards owned the ball throughout and Bolivia created next to nothing.

Spain then took on El Salvador in Maryland, USA. They won this game 2-0 as well. El Salvador is a CONCACAF team who finished third behind Mexico and Costa Rica in the 3rd stage of CONCACAF qualification. Anyways, Spain could again easily have scored a couple more as Fabregas missed a penalty inside of the first three minutes and Pedro missed a sitter in the second half. El Salvador created very little on their part.

The Netherlands drew Ecquador 1-1 in Amsterdam in a poor performance. Netherlands played most of the game in a 5-3-2 formation with very attack minded full backs. A few of the regular starters were spared, but one has come to expect more from these players. Overall the Dutch were perhaps slightly better than Ecuador, but the visitors deserved getting something out of the game.

Holland then played fellow World Cup participant Ghana in Rotterdam. The Dutch emerged victorious after the game ended 1-0. Now the Dutch fielded their supposedly best eleven from start! Again they played 5-3-2 with offensive full backs. The Dutch should probably have scored a couple more goals, but they were wasteful. Throughout the game they were in control and hardly ever shaken by the visitors. Ayew had a free header late on that he missed, that was about it. I would say the Dutch stepped up from the poor game against Ecuador.

The Netherlands final warm up was played in Amsterdam against a Wales side without Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey and Ashley Williams. The Dutch controlled the game well utilizing a 4-4-2 diamond shaped tactical setup. Wales did not create an abundnace of chances on the night, but enough to put a scare in van Gaal surely. Overall though the Dutch were the best side and deserved the win.

Match Analysis

This is a replay of the World Cup final of 2010. Spain won it after a goal by Iniesta deep into extra time. Finals are often cagey affairs, and this final was no different.

However, the past is not so interesting here. First and foremost: I think both sides are a bit off the quality they possessed in 2010 when comparing to the other top teams. Relatively between themselves I would argue Holland is far worse off rooster wise comparing the pair. For me, the Spaniards simply are at a higher level comparing player to player.

I do think Spain will (as usual) have far most of the ball. It makes sense for Netherlands to play the 5-3-2 system (which can switch to 3-5-2 in a heart beat) when they play Spain. The Spaniards tend to get a bit narrow, so Holland will try to do most of their "break damage" utilizing the full backs and attacking midfield players/wingers to their full extent. Spain should have this covered though. They got good players for one on one situations. Both the full backs and the center backs are world class in general.

I am confident both sides will get a decent number of chances. Given Spain's possession superiority I assume the Spanish will have more chances than the Dutch. It will really come down to form and conversion on the day. One thing is certain though: High quality players like this should find the net.

Betting tips for 1x2

My prelimiary betting tips was Spain priced at 2.00. I hope you got on. Those odds are now long gone. BET365 currently offers 1.85 for Spain. I find those odds useful still. I do not think the Netherlands has looked particularly strong leading up to the world cup. They miss some top names, and in general I think they are a weaker side than Spain.

If you agree with me I suggest you head on over to Bet365 to get on before those odds are lowered any further.

• Bet now at B

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