Can the Dutch Make it to the Final Again: Early World Cup Betting Odds

Check out the information and trivia about the Netherlands and make an informed decision when it comes to betting on World Cup.

With the World Cup in Brazil just three weeks ago, punters are looking for a good bet to make before the bookies follow the crowds and increase the prices for certain teams. Discarding the hosts, Brazil, along with Argentina and Spain, who else is there worth our attention?

Somehow everyone tends to forget that the Netherlands have made it into the last World Cup final, only falling to Spain 0-1. Naturally, those wishing to bet on sports in the Netherlands always remember the heroics of the Oranje four years ago. And of course the Netherlands are three times winners.

Even the sportsbooks operating under Dutch gambling laws think that their team has very little chance of winning the World Cup. Holland receives 28/1 odds, while the like of Brazil get 11/4, Argentina – 9/2, and Germany – 11/2 odds to lift the trophy in Rio de Janeiro. However, such odds on Holland mean a great payout for the faithful fans and clever punters.

Team Holland’s path to World Cup

Betting on the Netherlands at World Cup

• The Dutch have received surprisingly long odds

• Majority of online sportsbooks in the Netherlands already accept bets

• Betting on them to be eliminated in the 2nd round is a smart wager

The Oranje have set the bar high for themselves, considering they are the current World Cup runners up, and thus the pressure on them to repeat the success is high. They have collected 28 points out of a possible 30 during the qualifying, and their 28/1 odds to win at online sportsbooks in the Netherlands seem a bit unexpectedly high according to some experts.

The Netherlands is headed by Louis Van Gaal, a renowned coach not only in his home country, but worldwide. Van Gaal has just been appointed Manchester United manager following their dismal season and will certainly like to finish up his role in the national team on a high note. The manager led the team to a great qualifying result, managing to overcome a very tricky group with Turkey, Hungary and Romania.

During the 10 matches in the qualifying group, the Dutch only drew once against Estonia away losing 2 points out of 30 possible. They scored 34 goals and conceded only five. Naturally, the unbeaten record in qualifying is also something to admire.

The squad

The 62-year-old coach will head a team, which boasts both experience and youthful energy. Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and Dirk Kuyt have all been through thick and thin with Holland, and their experience is certainly an asset for the whole team. The likes of Terence Kongolo and Quincy Promes may be surprise choices for the squad, but their talent is beyond doubt.

The biggest loss for the Dutch is Gregory van der Wiel, the Paris Saint-Germain player is suffering from a knee injury. It is wise to expect van Gaal to utilize a 5-3-2 system, where van Persie and Robben will be on the attack, backed by Sneijder, Jordy Clasie and Leroy Fer or Nigel de Jong in the midfield.

Van Persie has not had the best of seasons together with his Manchester United squad, but he is still the favorite to become the top scorer for the Dutch at 6/4 odds. During the qualifying he scored 11 times, but we also have to remember his very disappointing performance at the Euro 2012 tournament.

The World Cup draw for Holland

The long odds given by the bookies might be explained somewhat by the tough group, the Dutch have been drawn into. There are their archrivals from four years ago, Spain, next to a very promising Australian team, and a wild card – Chile.

The Dutch kick off their campaign on June 13th against Spain in Salvador. Naturally, revenge is on everyone’s mind, and should they beat Spain they will control the group all the way to the end. Holland’s success against Spain is valued at 11/4 at this time.

Next up are the men from Down Under, who also enjoyed a great qualifying campaign, but the Dutch should have no trouble against the Socceroos. Alexis Sanchez and Chile team will serve as dessert in the group, a match which could easily turn into a play-off for the second spot in the group, should Spain be dominating Group B.

The Netherlands are given 4/7 odds to qualify for the second round at the World Cup, but Chile have had a long qualifying round and will certainly not give up without a fight.

Spain are very likely to take the top spot in the group, thus leaving Netherlands as top candidate for the second position ensuring qualifying for the next stage. Should this be the scenario, the Dutch will most probably meet the hosts, Brazil, in the next round, who should have no problems placing first in their group.

Considering all this information, the smart bet involving the Netherlands will be for the Dutch to be eliminated in the second round of the World Cup. The price for this occurrence is currently valued at 15/8 odds. But should anyone wish to bet on the Netherlands to repeat the events of four years and become runners up again – there are 16/1 odds waiting for them.