Portugal vs Holland

Jun 17, 2012 -- 2:01PM, high_lander wrote:

Netherlands need to win by 2 clear goals to go through providing Germany beat Denmark.

Correct. It's as simple as this. NO other combination of results puts Holland through. I'm sick and tired of explaining this to people and having people ask about head to heads & goal difference. Google it if you're not sure.

On this match, overs looks great value at just under even money. Holland imo have been unlucky with their shots / goals conversion rate. Portugal have the weakest defence out of the teams Holland will have played thus far so this points to a Holland win for me. They've nothing to lose either - everyone expects them to be out so all the pressure is on Portugal to get a result.

I'm not so sure they can win by a 2 goal margin (think they'll concede), but i can't see them losing against Portugal. Over 2.5 or if you're feeling adventurous, over 3.5 is worth a look at 3.25. Wait to see how the first 10 minutes pan out and if there looks to be goals in it and both teams are going for it, then over 3.5 is probably best value once it hits the 4 mark.

If either side score early, it'll open the floodgates because the side that's losing can't afford to be losing if they want to stay in the competition.

Jun 17, 2012 -- 3:05PM, Storm Alert wrote:

Milan12MilanHi Lads, I am thinking about going all in to LAY Portugal.My advice, just don't get involved much safer/better bets in the coming days.  Portugal look a decent team against Germany and Ronaldo is a game changer and who knows what Holland will do with that bunch of narcissistic individuals masquerading as a team?

Agreed. Never back a team that doesn't need to win. Look at what happened with Russia, Ukraine & Denmark. It ****s with their heads because they know deep down (even if they say otherwise) that a win isn't required to stay in the tournament, so that impacts on every decision they make. Whether to pass forward or back, whether to risk a through ball, whether to chase down what they would normally regard as a lost cause etc... don't underestimate how difficult it is to win or draw when all you need to to is win or draw.

I'm assuming Denmark won't beat Germany, in which case Portugal know they'll go through with a draw. My guess is they'll be happy with a draw against the dutch or happy to pick them off on the counter (because they know the dutch need to over-commit at some stage to get goals).

It could be a game of chicken where neither side shows their cards until after half time. It could well be 0-0 at HT but it'll be a blood bath of goals in the 2nd half if that's the case...