Germany v Holland Euro betting has a lot on offer, as we head to the biggest match up of the group stages. This has been one of the most anticipated games, and now, with the Netherlands losing their opening game, there is a lot of pressure on the Oranje to come out and take maximum points, or else their progression to the quarter finals could be cut short. Holland were gunned down by a 1-0 scoreline against Denmark, in the biggest shock of the groups stages. Despite dominating the game, and having chance after chance to take maximum points, and perhaps cruelly denied a penalty, all it took was for Denmark to score from their one clear chance of the game to leave the Netherlands in a very precarious position. Bert van Marwijk’s men now need to come out an beat Germany to stand a realistic chance of making it through to the knock-out stages. Defeat, combined with Denmark beating Portugal, would put the men in orange out of the tournament at such an early stage. So the question is for your Germany v Holland betting, is simply, can the Dutch pick themselves up off the floor and get the win they need?
Germany v Holland Betting Odds at BetFair
Germany 7/5, Holland 2/1, Draw 23/10
The Dutch were visibly stunned after losing that game. Truthfully though, Holland only have themselves to blame for being so wasteful in front of goal. The normally reliable Robin van Persie looked tense and wasted good chances at either end of the first half. Arjen Robben was in tremendous form, but simply couldn’t finish and that was the story of the day. Between them, Robben, van Persie and Ibrahim Afellay had ten shots off target against Denmark and simply needed a little more composure. Still, aside from the defeat, Netherlands played a great game, they were great with their movement, great with their passing and attacking movement. They just lacked the ability to stick the ball in the back of the net. It was probably just one of those days for the Oranje, but it was a day which could hurt them badly if they don’t respond immediately. This will be a huge test of character for them, and after having lost to Germany 3-0 in an international friendly late last year, the odds are stacking up against the Netherlands. However, they still have game, they still have the ability to make it through. Two factors to take from the first game, was that the defence was far too deep instead of joining in more, and they could have been more aggressive pushing forward.
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In contrast to the pressures that their bitter rivals Holland face, Germany were happy with their 1-0 win against a tough Portugal side. It took Germany until the 72nd minute to find a break through in a really tight game against Portugal, in which Germany didn’t really turn on the style too much. Still, they won, and that was all that mattered in the Group of Death. Germany were stifled a lot through midfield, and they didn’t get their fluent game going at all. That was largely down to Portugal playing a very defensive and tight formation which was set up to negate the Germany threat. That worked well, but it still didn’t stop the Germans from winning. Bayern Munich and top tip for the tournament top goalscorer Mario Gomez, was the one who found the break through. Coach Joachim Low may take a lot of heart from the way that his defence stood up when Portugal tried to lay siege to their goal in search of an equaliser. So not a great performance in their first match, but that means there will be more to come from Germany. They may well jump at the chance to possibly eliminate one of their main rivals so early in the tournament. That is a huge incentive!
So it is the Netherlands who have to play knock-out football from here on out, while Germany could quite contentedly walk away happily with a draw. It is hard to take a lot from the Portugal match, because we didn’t see the powerful Germany which we know will rear its head at some point. Germany’s defence is good and naturally they will be tested more than they were against Portugal, when they face up against the Netherlands. It is about keeping things simple and not making a mistake for the Germans. They have added a bit of extra control and discipline to their great passing, attacking game and so they are pretty much the complete outfit. They still know that defeat against the Netherlands would throw the group wide open again, and so for Germany, who are one of the favourites to win Euro 2012, getting through a solid 90 minutes is all that they really need and this will be a big, early test of their title winning credentials. Winning tight games is often the great mark of a great team.
Prediction: Germany have the extra touches of quality and they aren’t so dependent on their front men, unlike Holland, who really need Robin van Persie firing on all cylinders. This should be a quality match and a draw really wouldn’t be too much of a surprise. Germany are the stronger of the two and therefore Germany -0.25 Asian Handicap for 47/40 at Bet365 just gives a bit of insurance in case of a draw.
