Holland v Uruguay Betting Preview

Written by James Beckett Sunday, 04 July 2010 10:34

Betting Odds

Holland take on Uruguay with a place in the biggest game of them all the prize for the winners. The Dutch caused a huge betting surprise when they beat Brazil in the quarters, where as Uruguay made it through to the semi finals with a controversial penalty shoot-out win over Ghana.


Uruguay can maybe count themselves a little lucky to still be in the World Cup following in the dramatic scenes in their quarter final. With seconds remaining in extra time, Uruguay striker Luis Suarez thought he was a goalkeeper, as he handled a goal bound effort on the line. For his sins, Suarez was sent off, but Ghana missed the resulting penalty, and Uruguay would triumph in the end.


Suarez along with Diego Forlan have been key to the South American sides success so far in South Africa and he will be loss in the semi finals. However coach Oscar Tabarez may see the punishment worthwhile seeing as it effectively kept Uruguay in the tournament.


Towering striker Sebastian Abreu may be the man to come in for Suarez, although Tabarez may be tempted to deploy Forlan in a move advanced role and recall Ignacio Gonzalez who has only played once in South Africa so far.


Tabarez certinaly has selection problems. Captain Diego Lugano was forced off against Ghana just before the interval and remains a doubt for the semi final. Andres Scotti was the man who came on for Lugano, and could replace him from the start against the Dutch. Nicolas Lodeiro will also miss out after suffering a foot injury


But Lugano isn't the only key Uruguayan defender who will be missing the semi final. Jorge Fucile will also miss out after picking up his second yellow card of the tournament against Ghana. Barcelona defender Martín Cáceres may be the man to come in to replace Fucile, although Tabarez certinaly has a decision to make.

Holland caused a major upset when they managed to come from behind to eliminate Brazil, and Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk has been boosted further with the news that both Robin van Persie and Joris Mathijsen have been both passed fit following injury scares.


However Van Marwijk will be without Manchester City midfielder Nigel De Jong and right back Gregory van der Wiel who will both miss the game through suspension. The news will come as a big blow to Holland who have been able to name a fairly settled side throughout the tournament. Khalid Boulahrouz will probably come in to the side for Van der Weil where as Demy de Zeeuw could be the man to come in for De Jong.


Elsewhere though expect the Dutch to field the same side that performed so well against Brazil, and key midfielder Wesley Sneijder will be key to any success. The Inter Milan player maker has starred so far in South Africa, and alongside Arjen Robben will be a real threat to the Uruguay defence. Not forgetting arguably Holland's best player of the tournament - the tireless workhorse Dirk Kuyt.

Uruguay's chances of success depend on how well they can deal with the quality of Sneijder and Robben, but without key defensive players, it may just be too much to ask. The Dutch have real quality in midfield, and this could be where they win the game.


Having said that though, Uruguay will always be a threat with players of Forlan's stature, and Holland won't be taking them lightly. Van Marwijk will have to make sure his players keep close to Forlan, because he has been one of the stars of the tournament so far.


But Holland will go in the game as favourites and quite rightly so. If everything goes to plan, the Dutch should see of the Uruguayan threat, and keep on course for their first ever World Cup title.


 

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