Euro 2012
2012-06-13 - Holland vs Germany
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: Euro 2012 Group B
Wednesday 13 June 2012 - Kick Off 7:45pm
This game is live on TV
Preview
It was the worst case scenario for Holland in the opening round of the European Championships as they were defeated by Denmark, considered the weakest team in the group, and that leaves them in a position where they have to get something from this game against their old rivals Germany if they are not getting an early flight home.
The 0-1 loss to Denmark was vastly disappointing for a nation that reached the Final of the World Cup just two years ago and one that wanted to prove to the World that they can play better football than what they showed when defeated by Spain.
Holland had many chances against the Danes in the first game but were let down by some poor finishing and slip ups at just the wrong time. Robin Van Persie was guilty of fluffing his lines in at least two great positions, while Arjen Robben and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar also were either unfortunate or missing from positions that would not be expected of them.
Now they face the side that is leading group B and one that knows they may be able to put one foot into the last eight depending on the result from the earlier game between Denmark and Portugal. Germany beat Portugal 1-0 in the opening round and know both themselves and the Danes can ensure qualification for the last eight if they both win on Wednesday.
Germany were not great against Portugal, but that could be down to nerves and the pressure of the opening game in a major international tournament. Now that is out of the way, they can show why they are favourites to win this event alongside Spain while the bonus of being able to potentially knock out their rivals Holland will surely inspire them in this game. The team extended their run to 12 consecutive wins after beating Portugal on Saturday and they will not want to lose that momentum now.
It will be interesting to see if Holland make any changes to their tactics and formation in a game where they really need to win to give themselves a chance of reaching the Quarter Finals. There have been suggestions back home that they need to partner Van Persie with Huntelaar, but the management are keeping their cards close to their chests ahead of this huge game.
Head to Head
Germany and Holland last met in November 2011 in an international friendly before they knew they would be facing each other in the early stages of Euro 2012. On that occasion, Germany won the game 3-0 in Hamburg.
Before that loss, Holland had not lost in 5 games against the Germans and that run included a 1-1 draw in the group stages at Euro 2004.
Prediction
A lot of people would have been disappointed with the result Holland obtained against Denmark, but I still think it is a little early to rule them out of the tournament despite coming up against the powerful German side.
Holland created a number of good, open chances in their loss to the Danes and it is hard to imagine them being that generous in front of goal for a second straight game. Arjen Robben will also have given his team mates the inside track on some of the German defenders he plays with at Bayern Munich and I can see the Dutch causing them plenty of problems.
However, Germany will also be able to get at the most vulnerable area of the Dutch side and that is in the back four that looked uncertain during the rare moments when Denmark actually tried to attack them. I don't expect Germany to sit back and hope for a draw in this game and I believe they will think the best way to protect themselves is to have a go at the Holland defence and see what they get out of it.
With the way the group has panned out, neither side is likely to sit back and accept a draw at any point and that should lead to an entertaining and high scoring game. Holland need the points from this game, especially if Denmark have won the earlier game against Portugal, and that means they are likely to push forward and could lead some gaps to exploit.
In the expectancy that a draw is unlikely to do Holland any good, goals looks the way forward in this game and that is what I will back.
The Pick :
Holland 2-2 Germany
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back the Over 2.75 Goals @ 2.25
