World Cup Betting
World Cup Final Betting Tips
Sunday 11 July – WC Day 31
So, after 63 matches and a month of intriguing football, the nineteenth World Cup Final is upon us. Spain play the Netherlands in the showpiece event at Johannesburg’s Soccer City stadium on Sunday evening.
It was 6/5 before the tournament began that we would have a first-time World Cup winner and, sometime on Sunday evening, one of these two European powerhouses will become the eighth nation to have their name inscribed on the famous trophy.
Whilst many of the fancied sides have fallen along the way - the likes of France, Italy and England in inglorious circumstances - it could easily be argued that the world’s two most in-form nations will contest Sunday’s final. Bert van Maarwijk’s side are now unbeaten in 25 matches, and have won every single match in the 2010 qualifying and tournament proper. Indeed, the Netherlands are bidding to become the first side since Brazil in 1970 to win the World Cup by triumphing in each of their Finals matches within 90 minutes.
Similarly, Spain are on a terrific run under Vicente del Bosque and have lost two of their last 25 matches. This is after a world record 35 match unbeaten streak between 2006 and 2009 which saw them become the first team to reach the top of the FIFA rankings without having won the World Cup. The reigning European Champions are also attempting to become only the second nation to ever win the Euros and then the subsequent World Cup (after West Germany in 1972 and 1974).
So, with the two form sides in international football coming face to face, what should we expect from this match?
Spain have reached their first World Cup final without ever really hitting top gear. After a disappointing opening defeat to Switzerland, they have won every match. Their 1-0 defeat over Germany in the semi-finals also brought the Spanish another world record as they have now gone six international tournament knockout matches without conceding a goal. They shut out Italy, Russia and Germany in Euro 2008 and have now failed to concede against Portugal, Paraguay and Germany in 2010.
The inclusion of the Barcelona youngster Gerard Pique has been key, and the ex Manchester United player looks like he could be the fulcrum of the Spain defence for years. Captain Iker Casillas has long been one of Europe’s best shot stoppers and the two full-backs (supposedly Spain’s weak link) have been excellent throughout. The 5/4 therefore on Holland to score no goals could well represent good value.
Much has been written about Spain’s midfield - although completing hundreds of passes every match without actually getting anywhere is reminiscent of Arsene Wenger’s underachieving Arsenal side - and so del Bosque’s only real selection issue revolves around Fernando Torres. The Liverpool striker has been a real disappointment in South Africa, and Barca youngster Pedro was preferred to Torres in Spain’s semi-final win over Germany.
Can the Dutch become the eight name to grace the trophy?
As for the Netherlands, adapting their penchant for attacking, ‘total’ football into a compact, organised unit might seem like sacrilege but it has been enormously effective. The Dutch play two defensive midfielders which allow the likes of Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie to attack at will. Their one possible weakness is defensively, with Ajax keeper Martin Stekelenburg not quite international class and right-back Gregory van der Wiel inexperienced at this level.
Perhaps surprisingly, the two sides have only met nine times in the last ninety years, and only three times in competitive matches. Two of these were in qualifying for the 19894 European Championships, and so there is no real form guide for this match.
Spain are clearly the better side and have a defence that gives away very little. However, I just have a sneaking suspicion that a touch of magic from van Persie, Robben or Sneijder might be enough for the Oranje. The Dutch are 6/4 to lift the World Cup, or if you fancy that they can win their seventh consecutive World Cup match within ninety minutes, you can take the 11/4.
Don’t forget our “Bore War” Money Back Special on this match - if it ends 0-0, we’ll refund all pre-match singles in the Correct Score, First/Last Goalscorer and Scorecast markets.
