Holland v Mexico World Cup 2014, 29th June Betting Preview
The stats all point to Holland making progress through to the quarter finals in this one. The winner will be facing up against either Costa Rica or Greece in the final eight, so huge incentive ahead. Mexico have fallen in the last five editions of the World Cup at the second stage. Can they break their habit and upset the Dutch?
Holland v Mexico Betting Tips
This one has the promise of being another good open game. Holland are favourites, but not at an odds-on price, and that is down to their defence perhaps not being too strong, plus we have seen great resilience from Mexico so far in the tournament. Holland have lost just one of their last 10 World Cup matches now, winning the other nine. That blip was against Spain in the 2010 World Cup final. They have World Cup history on their side too, as only one UEFA nation has been knocked out by a CONCACAF nation in the history of the tournament. Mexico were the victors on that occasion though, eliminating Bulgaria eliminating back in 1986.
The Dutch strengths are going forward, because they aren’t that strong at the back. They destroyed Spain of course in their opening group and then went on to beat Australia and Chile to top their group. They produced the most shots on target in Group B, and they have great options up front to back in the goalscorer markets in Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben. Robben has scored eight goals in his last nine internationals (and have been involved in seven goals in his last seven World Cup matches). Robin van Persie has a phenomenal strike rate of 21 goals in his last 25 appearances for the Oranje. Robben is 2/1 and RVP is even money favourite in the anytime goalscorer market.
Holland are currently on a five match winning streak, and they have met Mexico just once before at the World Cup and drew that 1998 group stage game. They were pegged back to a 2-2 after leading 2-0 with just fifteen minutes left on the clock. Mexico have gone out at this stage in the last five editions played, so they have a bad habit to break here, and they go as underdogs for their latest second round match. They haven’t beaten Holland at the last four attempts either, losing three and drawing one.
Worth going over 2.5 goals here, considering that the Mexicans have scored on each of their last 11 World Cup matches against European sides, and combined with the firepower that Holland are producing at the moment. Second half goals are likely to be a big feature as eight of Holland’s last nine at the World Cup have come in the second half, and 10 of Mexico’s last 12 in the tournament have been after the break as well. Mexico aren’t as big of a threat going forward as Holland, no-one is going to argue that, and Oribe Peralta looks their best route to goal at 2/1 in the anytime goalscorer market. Mexico did produce the fewest amount of shots on goal in Group A.
Holland v Mexico Betting Odds
Holland 11/10, Draw 5/2, Mexico 14/5
The opening match of the round of sixteen went to penalties and there is coverage at Paddy Power should any match go the same way. If any World Cup Last 16 match ends in a penalty shootout, Paddy Power will refund all losing First Goalscorer, Last Goalscorer, Correct Score & Scorecast singles on that match as a free bet
Holland v Mexico Predictions
Mexico have shown that they can dig in, when they held host nation to a 0-0 draw in their second group stage match. They may have to do that again against Holland, but it is hard to see them getting away with it again. Would back Holland at the value that they are in the match outright.
