After their 100 percent qualifying campaign, expectations are high amongst Holland supporters. But if they’re ranked third best in the world, why are Robin Van Persie and co only seventh favourites to triumph in South Africa? Ben Lyttleton reports. “A quarter-final spot is the least we can expect from this Holland team, although Van Marwijk is already looking beyond that
Having drawn Barcelona in Europe, Arsenal get to practice at beating a side wearing claret and blue, when West Ham visit. Dan ‘The Betting Man’ Fitch thinks that Arsenal will edge another close victory: Best Bet: Fabregas to score @ 2.35 . Recommended Bets: Back Fabregas to score @ 2.35 ; Back both teams to score @ 2.0 ; Back the draw halftime/Arsenal full time @ 4.8 . Title chasing Arsenal will look to dispense with another Premier League struggler when they play host to West Ham on Saturday evening. Whilst it’s true that a London derby is rarely straightforward and the Hammers can boast of a decent record against Arsenal in recent seasons, it would still be a major surprise if the home side were not to pick up all three points. West Ham have lost their last three Premier League games and their away form is very poor, having won only once all season. That win came on the opening day against Wolves and since then Gianfranco Zola’s team have gone 14 games without picking up another victory.
They blitzed their way through qualifying and as usual, the Dutch go into a World Cup with lofty expectations… Ask any fan which international side they’d most like to watch and ‘The Netherlands’ would be a reoccurring response. Though for all of their quality over the years, underachievement has been the word most associated with the nation’s World Cup campaigns. Unsurprisingly, the feeling in the low-lands is that this time things will be different, though at [ 17 ] to win it, many seem to believe that in 2010 glory will elude them once more. Nation: Netherlands Also known as… ‘Oranje’ Road to South Africa… Utterly comprehensive. Eight wins from eight, 17 goals scored and only two conceded. Bert van Marwijk’s men swept Norway, Macedonia, Scotland and Iceland aside with consummate ease. World Cup Pedigree… Plenty of appearances but not many of them fruitful. Netherlands reached consecutive finals in 1974 and 1978 but lost both
The Dutch have owned the USA before (well, parts of it) and they will do so again on Wednesday night, believes Tobias Gourlay.
Recommended Bet: Say ‘Yes’ to Netherlands Clean Sheet at 2.04 v USA
Coach Bob Bradley is assembling an experienced squad for Team USA’s friendly with the Netherlands in Amsterdam. Only four players are flying out from North America for the game, even though important European-based players like Clint Dempsey, Oguchi Onyewu and Charlie Davies are unavailable through injury. With only a couple more friendlies arranged for late May before South Africa 2010, this is Bradley’s last chance for a first-hand look at possible replacements before he names his World Cup squad. Expect a few reshuffles on Wednesday night.
Arsene Wenger’s youngsters are a stronger bunch than many think and Ramsey’s horrific injury can unite the Londoners for an unlikely title bid, says Feizal Rahman “The strength of character in Arsene Wenger’s fledglings has been questioned by many but this season they have arguably shown the greatest mental fortitude of any. Where two years ago, William Gallas self-imploded as captain, yesterday Cesc Fabregas ( 11.5 to be PFA Player of the Year) rallied his men to a crucial victory.” Two years ago, almost to the day, a horrific injury to one of their players was seen as the catalyst for Arsenal ’s season collapsing. The compound leg fracture suffered by striker Eduardo away at Birmingham left the team in shock and unable to cope with the emotions of that day, the long-time league leaders went on a winless run that ultimately ended their title bid. The horrendous broken leg sustained by Aaron Ramsey in yesterday’s 3-1 win at Stoke , however, may have an altogether opposite effect on this current Gunners side.
Three games on Saturday and three on Sunday make up this weekend’s non-televised fixtures, and our resident crystal ball hogger “Mystical” Mike Norman is here to preview them all. Best Bet: Back Fulham @ 2.16 to beat Birmingham. Best Bet: Back Fulham @ 2.16 to beat Birmingham Also: Back Under 2.5 Goals @ 2.62 in Arsenal v Sunderland; Back West Ham HT/West Ham FT @ 2.96 in West Ham v Hull; Back Didier Drogba First Goalscorer @ 4.8 in Wolves v Chelsea; Back Blackburn @ 2.04 to beat Bolton; Back Any Unquoted Correct Score @ 14.0 in Man City v Liverpool Arsenal 1.25 v Sunderland 18.0 ; The Draw 6.0 I’m not saying Arsenal’s goalkeeper is a laughing stock but I was at a children’s birthday party the other day and the entertainer came dressed as Lukasz Fabianski ! Fortunately for the embarrassing Pole (or whoever’s in goal for the Gunners) Sunderland’s away form is dismal, and I doubt the Black Cats will threaten to score at the Emirates in what should be a comfortable afternoon for the home side… and their goalkeeper
There are plenty of fascinating sub-plots surrounding this one, but Richard Walker is sticking to football – and betting – matters “One fact worth noting and acting upon is that Didier Drogba simply loves playing against the Gunners . In his last nine outings against them, he’s racked up 10 goals.” The latest Big Four showdown sees the side with the most clean sheets play host to the team who’ve scored the most goals this season.
Injuries to key England are threatening to harm the national team’s chances in South Africa, says Feizal Rahman “The much-hailed intensity of the Premier League would appear to be the issue rather than the lack of a winter break and with ever-increasing injury concerns, it will be no surprise – as UEFA President Michel Platini has suggested – to see England once again perform as lions in the winter and as lambs in the spring.” In a season alleged to be the most competitive ever, could it actually be that a pandemic of injuries are depriving us of real competition? With the breakneck athleticism of the game leading to a rise in impact injuries, we are increasingly seeing less of the Premier League’s top stars in action
Ben Lyttleton tells us why an uber-talented side like Argentina could well be suffering from fatigue come the World Cup and why the likes of France may have key players fresher than most…. “There are a few players currently out of action who can expect to be fully-fit and more importantly, fresh and raring to go, by the time the World Cup kicks off in June
Feizal Rahman considers why the top Premier League teams continue to do most of their business in the off season rather than January and looks at what at what might yet prove to be a crucial signing elsewhere…. “Sol Campbell has been training with his former club and may have shown enough to earn himself a most unexpected comeback.” The January transfer window is rarely a significant period of activity for the Premier League’s top clubs, with most preferring to carry out their business over the summer.
