The Netherlands face a tough opening match in their quest for World Cup Title as they face dark horses Denmark, Monday June 14, at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg. The pair boast two wins apiece from five competitive matches, the Dutch scoring ten goals to the Danes’ nine. World Cup oddsmakers at BODOG.com have the Netherlands as -225 moneyline favorite over Denmark (+600) with the over/under set at 2.5 goals . Be sure to get your Netherlands vs Denmark Odds 2010 FIFA World Cup Group E in now at BODOG.com
Netherlands have made the World Cup as favorites to win but somehow always disappoint. But, on a good note the Oranje, they have not been beaten since a September 2008 friendly reverse against the Socceroos, though should hold few surprises for their opponents. They come into South Africa 2010 on the back of a record unbeaten run of 19 games, beating their previous mark of 17 set between 2001 and 2003. 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. The key men now are Robin van Persie, 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.
“We have a special kind of arrogance that is one of our strengths. But we shouldn’t let it go too far, otherwise it can become a handicap and we become careless. And when arrogance leads you try to humiliate the opposition, they’ll definitely kick back against it. Right from day one I’ve been trying to get that through to the players,” Bert van Marwijk, Netherlands coach.
Denmark has five players ply their trade in the Netherlands’ Eredivisie and another four share a dressing room with Dutch players at their Premier League clubs. Daniel Agger is a solid presence for Liverpool despite the Reds ending a disappointing season down in seventh spot. Danish coach Olsen will also be concerned about 1-0 warm-up defeats by Australia and host nation South Africa on June 1 and June 4 respectively, though the Danes did sink Senegal 2-0 on May 27. The Danes have a lot of players who play with big time clubs. National captain Tomasson currently leads the Feyenoord forward line after a career featuring spells with AC Milan and Villarreal. Olsen's core of players with wide international experience includes defender Daniel Agger (Liverpool), midfield trio Daniel Jensen (Bremen), Christian Poulsen (Juventus) and Dennis Rommedahl (Ajax), and striker Nicklas Bendtner (Arsenal).
“I don’t regard the Netherlands as among the World Cup favourites. They often start off strongly and then suddenly lose a crucial game and crash out. That can always happen when they play a well-organised side, which this time could be Denmark. They are missing their most in-form player, Arjen Robben, and they’re not as strong at the back (as they are going forward),” Dennis Rommedahl, Denmark winger.
Netherlands vs Denmark
When: Monday, June 14 – 7:30 AM ET
Line: BODOG.com
Pick: Netherlands -225
Point-Spreads.com Netherlands vs Denmark Odds 2010 FIFA World Cup Group E
The Bottom Line: The Dutch will continue to win. Be sure to get your Netherlands vs Denmark Odds 2010 FIFA World Cup Group E in now at BODOG.com and receive a 10% deposit bonus.
