The Netherlands cruised through Group Stage Qualifying without losing a single point; the last team that did that won the FIFA World Cup. Is it time for the Dutch to taste victory at FIFA World Cup 2010? World Cup oddsmakers at BODOG.com have Netherlands listed at 9/1 odds to win FIFA World Cup 2010 . Be sure to get your World Cup Predictions in at BODOG.com . Here is your FIFA World Cup 2010 Odds: Netherlands Preview
The Dutch had eight wins from eight games and only conceded two goals. The Van Marwijk era has proved to be a faultless one so far, with the former Feyenoord coach leading his troops to the top of Group 9. Van Marwijk's record is impeccable thus far after he put a 4-2-3-1 formation in place. He says, "The players got used to that and I intend to keep it."
The biggest news for the Oranje is the injury to Arjen Robben. He suffered a thigh injury in Saturday's friendly against Hungary in Amsterdam and had been hoping to join his team-mates in South Africa this weekend. "Since the Champions League final (against Inter Milan on 22 May) Arjen hasn't been ready to play a lot or train a lot. It would be wrong to believe he would be ready to face Denmark," Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk told reporters. "His injury is serious and I don't know when he can join us. We will keep an eye on his progress. We don't want to take any risks. The team's objective is to go as far as possible in the tournament, to allow Arjen Robben time to heal so he can play with us during the World Cup ."
With Edwin van der Saar and Ruud van Nistelrooy having called time on their international careers, Van Marwijk has needed to apply his own touch to the core of players he inherited from Van Basten, without shaking things up too vigorously. The key men now are Arjen Robben, Joris Mathijsen, Andre Ooijer, Dirk Kuyt, Mark van Bommel, Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Giovanni van Bronckhorst, all of whom enjoyed considerable playing time under the previous trainer. Rafael van der Vaart, Robin van Persie, Nigel De Jong and Wesley Sneijder also remain closely involved. In their eight finals appearances, the Oranje have reached the showpiece match twice, but not since in 1974 and 1978 where they lost. They also came in fourth at France 1998.
Point-Spreads.com FIFA World Cup 2010 Odds: Netherlands Preview
The Bottom Line: They’ll be expected to go far, and they no doubt will. Be sure to get your FIFA World Cup 2010 Odds: Netherlands in early at BODOG.com and receive a 10% sign-up bonus on your initial deposit.
