Holland v Argentina World Cup 2014, 9th July Betting Preview
Two sides who have shown that they know how to dig deep and grind out wins. The Dutch have been riding their luck a bit, but have shown great team spirit and fight, but Argentina have Lionel Messi in top form and neither is going to want to give anything away at this stage.
Holland v Argentina Betting Tips
The Dutch look to be going about things the hard way a bit. They were clinical in their opening match of the World Cup when they put the Dutch to the sword, but since then they have come up a little short. They were challenged hard by Australia in their second group match, the Dutch fighting back for a 3-2 win. Then there was the two goals in the last two minutes of the game in the round of sixteen to pull off a miracle against Mexico. Then there was the penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw with Costa Rica in the quarter finals. Can they find their feet in front of goal again? You can’t fault them for the effort that they have put in, but the bookmakers do have the Oranje as the outsiders of the final four.
The Dutch are on a six match winning streak, but have survived the last three games with neither Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben scoring. They are both now three games without a goal (the last goals for both coming against Australia) and are 2/1 and 12/5 respectively in the anytime goalscorer market. They have had back up from the team when it has mattered, as they have found a way to scrape through. So while they have been riding that luck, will it hold out against Argentina? They will have a harder time breaking down the Albiceleste and would expect the game to go under 2.5 goals.
This is the toughest test for Holland so far, and the occasion can often stifle games in terms of seeing sides taking chances. Holland have a great head to head record against Argentina, and may tempt punters with the South Americans not playing fluently. In eight previous meetings, Holland have only lost once. That sole loss came heartbreakingly for them in the 1978 final, with Argentina taking a 3-1 win in extra time. That was one of four meetings between the two nations at the World Cup, the most recent encounter being a 0-0 in the 2006 Group Stage, and they haven’t played each other since.
Argentina have been battling along, but without the same kind of scares and drama that Holland have gone through. The Albiceleste have won all of their matches by a one goal margin, and that is nothing more than a clear indication that they haven’t hit top gear in any match. They are lacking a bit of fluency, perhaps leaning too much on getting Lionel Messi into the game. Still, he has carried them superbly and was brilliant against the Belgians in their 1-0 quarter final victory. It was a goal from Gonzalo Higuain which put the South Americans into the semis, and incidentally it is the first time ever that both Brazil and Argentina have been at the semi final stage of a World Cup together. There are doubts about Angel Di Maria who hurt his thigh against the Red Devils.
Argentina are unbeaten in their last ten matches and have recorded three clean sheets on their road to the semi finals. They are very strong at the back, and keeper Romero doesn’t have a lot to do. This is partly down to their slowing of the game and spoiling tactics, and again, the game should go under 2.5 goals in ninety minutes, as the last three meetings have all done so. It could well be worth punters looking at Argentina to win by a one goal margin again for a price of 3/1, because they have shown their ability to just do enough, whether it is grabbing a late goal or holding on to a lead. They do have the better of the two defences.
Holland v Argentina Betting Odds
Argentina 29/20, Draw 11/5, Holland 9/4
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Holland v Argentina Predictions
Of the two, there has been less fuss and bother about the progress of Argentina. Lionel Messi has produced some fantastic goals for them and is looking influential. The Dutch have gone through a lot more mental turmoil so far in the tournament, and the pragmatic, grinding way of Argentina is probably worth backing to edge through. It isn’t likely to be by more than a one goal margin though.
