Latest Football Tips

After defeat to the Danes, the Dutch are in a dangerous position in Group B. Matches against the Germans always contain the grudge element but, with a positive result essential to hopes of progress, this meeting carries an extra edge. Germany battled to a 1-0 victory in a tight opener with Portugal. The performance wasn't exceptional but had the hallmark of a Championship winning side and there is no doubt more to come from Joachim Loew's Mannschaft. We would therefore be more inclined to the current 10/3 on the Germans to go all the way than the 3/1 on Spain who showed signs of vulnerability in their draw with Italy.

With three points on the board, Germany can relax somewhat going into the match; the pressure is firmly on van Marwijk's men after their disappointing display against Denmark. "We have to win now, there's no excuse, and we are aware of that. We know we have to win against the Germans." said Everton centre-back Johnny Heitinga.

Expect the Dutch to come out on the offensive then and with van Perise, Robben, Sneijder and possibly Huntelaar there is more than enough talent to bag a first half goal. However, as the game wears on, the Oranje's backline will come under more and more pressure from a determined Germany side and as Denmark showed the Dutch defence is far from flawless. Germany should then be able to cancel out the early Dutch lead.

If the match is level going into the final stages, the onus will be on the Netherlands to go all out attack which will suit the counter attacking prowess of the likes of Podolski, Muller and Ozil as well as substitutes Kroos, Gotze or Klose. We would fancy the Germans to then seal victory in the second period as van Marwijk's side open up in search of the win.

Netherlands to lead at the break is tempting on it's own at 14/5 but we are going for glory and combining it with Germany to overturn a half-time deficit. A whopping 33/1 entices greatly. We are also expectant of goals in what promises to be a full-blooded affair and are encouraged by the the offer of even money to go over 2.5 but we think the real value lies in the card markets.

It is a guarantee in such a high tension affair that there will be plenty of fesity challenges. Netherlands showed their willingness to fight dirty in the World Cup final and against neighbours Germany they need little encouragement to put the foot in. With Nigel de Jong and van Bommel martialing the middle of the park two yellows are almost a given and we expect others to get involved so over 4.5 cards at evens looks like a price worth taking. Van Bommel may be more reserved given he was booked in the opener but de Jong escaped punishment so will have license to foul, odds of 2/1 on the Man City man to be shown a card look far too long.

If Netherlands are trailing in the second half then frustration will likely kick in and they will kick out, alternatively, if they are leading then we would expect a lot of time wasting from a side prone to gamesmanship. Either way then, there is every reason to believe the Dutch will be the primary offenders in the second period so we also like the look of 16/11 on the referee to show more yellows to the Oranges.