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Graham Hunter: Why the Dutch may try to settle old scores – but Spain will prove too strong

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It adds deliciously to this game that the two sides haven’t met since that infamous World Cup final four years ago.

Holland were brutal, incurring the wrath of legends of their game like Johan Cruyff and Clarence Seedorf, and lost the match, effectively, because Johnny Heitinga was sent off.

He hauled Andrés Iniesta back once too often, saw a second yellow and when the cross from Fernando Torres came in, late in extra time, Rafa Van der Vaart fell over while trying to deputise for the absent Heitinga and the rest …. is history.

Cesc Fabregas to Iniesta and …. Gol! Gol! Gol! You probably remember it.

Grudge game

All of that is relevant to this game in the clammy heat of Salvador because of discipline.

Even though it’s likely there will be only four Dutch and perhaps seven Spaniards starting this Group B match having lined up for the World Cup final in Soccer City, there is certainly room for grudges.

For De Jong to tangle with Xabi Alonso once more, for Robben to race with Ramos, for Sneijder (who was boiling with rage after the 2010 final when I saw him outside the Dutch dressing room) to tangle with Sergio Busquets.

Losing that final, their second defeat in the world’s ultimate football match, was a bitter blow for the Oranje football nation – those playing and those watching.

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The desire to erase the blemish will be great – maybe overwhelming for some.

More, De Jong’s Bruce Lee chest-high studding of Xabi Alonso’s chest is now so iconic of that final, so famous, that any referee, presented with a De Jong foul on a Spaniard may subconsciously be quicker to ensure he doesn’t join the officiating infamy and thus quicker to show a yellow card.

Refs ARE human after all.

De-Jong-tackle-840

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But, as I say, discipline will give a significant advantage to the team mature enough to display it.

Spain are often thwarted or at least frustrated by packed defences and Louis Van Gaal hasn’t been experimenting with five at the back, ripping up the tactical book of his football life, in order to make Holland more open, more attacking.

So, if you look at Van Gaal’s logic, the last thing he wants is an 11 v 10 situation at any stage in the match.

Strength in numbers

He’ll din it in to his players that they compete, that they make it uncomfortable for Spain – but that they present totally different stats to the last time these sides played when Holland racked up 29 fouls, nine yellow cards and a red.

Give Spain a numerical advantage in an important match and there’s a very high chance you’ll regret it.

From the age of 15 it’s repeated endlessly to Spain’s young talents that it’s a sin to be sent off. To leave your team mates in the lurch. That your place will be hard to win back.

Spain’s last tournament match was blighted by the red card for Gerard Piqué, let’s not forget that, and Del Bosque too will be emphasizing to his men that he’ll be unforgiving of anyone who hands the already threatening Holland XI an added advantage.

Watching the world champion’s training this week I can’t help but suspect that it’s more than just the fact that Spain have only scored 14 of the 25 penalties they’ve been awarded in the Del Bosque reign which has seen them practice so many spot kicks.

Fabregas-and-Silva-Spain

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Cesc Fabregas’ miss against El Salvador last weekend may have reminded the manager that it’s time for Spain to brush up skills which have seen them win shoot outs against Italy (x 2) and Portugal in three of their last five tournaments.

Fine. But there have been so many different players hitting penalties that you’d deduce Vicente Del Bosque’s scouts reckon on Holland’s inexperienced back five giving away a spot kick on Friday evening (8pm).

For those interested the order of priority which Del Bosque has set for penalty takers is: David Villa, Cesc, Alonso and then …. perhaps Ramos? We shall see.

How Spain start looks to be down to a very small refinement in midfield and attack.

Training Day

Anyone who’s seen training would be surprised if the 4-3-3 formation doesn’t line up: Casillas; Azpilicueta, Piqué, Ramos, Alba: Xavi/Koke, Busquets, Alonso; Silva, Costa/Fabregas, Iniesta.

As terrific as Koke has looked in all the work-outs this week, all nimble feet and clever options taken when the ball comes to him plus a robust, shrewd presence in midfield defensive work, Del Bosque thinks so highly of Xavi that it’d be a surprise to see him benched at the start of the tournament.

Rotated as the World Cup evolves? Okay. Regularly playing only 55-65 minutes? Fine. But left out for the first game with all the attendant media coverage. I struggle to imagine it.

Diego-Costa-slider

The ‘centre forward’ position is at least as intriguing. The last major game when Del Bosque was faced with an opponent using five at the back was the opener of Euro 2012 against Italy and he chose to unpick Cesare Prandelli’s side with Cesc Fabregas at ‘false 9′.

It’s clearly an option again and the (soon to be former?) Barcelona man not only scored that day but, with Villa, Iniesta, Silva and Torres, has scored this week in training matches.

The counter to that is that Del Bosque left out a real favourite in Jesús Navas because of fears that he might ‘re-injure’ himself.

Yet Diego Costa was not only included in the 23 man travelling party he started against El Salvador and played the large majority of the match despite having limped off in the Champions League final with the recurrence of a hamstring problem.

Costa’s in the frame

All of that indicates that the Spain manager really wants to use Costa and that the Brazilian-born centre forward presents the type of threat which Spain have shown less regularly in recent years.

Those who played with Costa last Saturday in Washington told me that the ball was played ‘earlier’ to him and from longer distance because he is so good at losing his marker.

Perhaps he starts as a slight favourite to face Holland – but I don’t think the decision will be taken until match-day.

In the Confederations Cup a year ago, Spain began their match with Uruguay with the power and direction of a runaway train.

For 75 minutes it was best to just get out of their way. But they tired and Uruguay defended for their lives to the extend that the match only finished 2-1 with Spain unable to convert footballing dominance into a firm, nerveless, energy-saving win.

I’d see something similar occurring here in Salvador on Friday evening. Those tempted to look down the list of odds for less quoted scorers might be tempted by Pedro.

Pedro-&-Mark-Van-Bommel

Not guarantee of any game time, he’s nevertheless someone who not only MIGHT start – he’s likely to be asked to supply the missing Navas magic by coming on for the last 25 minutes to test Holland with his blistering pace.

He’s also Spain’s top scorer over the last 18 months – burying chances which might have slid past for Barcelona.

A game the holders could lose? Yes, there’s definitely banana-skin potential.

A game they will lose? I’m not too sure about that. Goals from Ramos, Pedro and Robben and Spain off to a better start than four years ago.

  • Spain to win 2-1 is 8/1 with Paddy Power.
  • Pedro to score first 13/2 or anytime 5/2

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Graham Hunter: The Dutch may try to settle old scores – but Spain will prove too strong

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It adds deliciously to this game that the two sides haven’t met since that infamous World Cup final four years ago.

Holland were brutal, incurring the wrath of legends of their game like Johan Cruyff and Clarence Seedorf, and lost the match, effectively, because Johnny Heitinga was sent off.

He hauled Andrés Iniesta back once too often, saw a second yellow and when the cross from Fernando Torres came in, late in extra time, Rafa Van der Vaart fell over while trying to deputise for the absent Heitinga and the rest …. is history.

Cesc Fabregas to Iniesta and …. Gol! Gol! Gol! You probably remember it.

Grudge game

All of that is relevant to this game in the clammy heat of Salvador because of discipline.

Even though it’s likely there will be only four Dutch and perhaps seven Spaniards starting this Group B match having lined up for the World Cup final in Soccer City, there is certainly room for grudges.

For De Jong to tangle with Xabi Alonso once more, for Robben to race with Ramos, for Sneijder (who was boiling with rage after the 2010 final when I saw him outside the Dutch dressing room) to tangle with Sergio Busquets.

Losing that final, their second defeat in the world’s ultimate football match, was a bitter blow for the Oranje football nation – those playing and those watching.

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The desire to erase the blemish will be great – maybe overwhelming for some.

More, De Jong’s Bruce Lee chest-high studding of Xabi Alonso’s chest is now so iconic of that final, so famous, that any referee, presented with a De Jong foul on a Spaniard may subconsciously be quicker to ensure he doesn’t join the officiating infamy and thus quicker to show a yellow card.

Refs ARE human after all.

De-Jong-tackle-840

  • Will it all kick off on DESKTOP | MOBILE 

But, as I say, discipline will give a significant advantage to the team mature enough to display it.

Spain are often thwarted or at least frustrated by packed defences and Louis Van Gaal hasn’t been experimenting with five at the back, ripping up the tactical book of his football life, in order to make Holland more open, more attacking.

So, if you look at Van Gaal’s logic, the last thing he wants is an 11 v 10 situation at any stage in the match.

Strength in numbers

He’ll din it in to his players that they compete, that they make it uncomfortable for Spain – but that they present totally different stats to the last time these sides played when Holland racked up 29 fouls, nine yellow cards and a red.

Give Spain a numerical advantage in an important match and there’s a very high chance you’ll regret it.

From the age of 15 it’s repeated endlessly to Spain’s young talents that it’s a sin to be sent off. To leave your team mates in the lurch. That your place will be hard to win back.

Spain’s last tournament match was blighted by the red card for Gerard Piqué, let’s not forget that, and Del Bosque too will be emphasizing to his men that he’ll be unforgiving of anyone who hands the already threatening Holland XI an added advantage.

Watching the world champion’s training this week I can’t help but suspect that it’s more than just the fact that Spain have only scored 14 of the 25 penalties they’ve been awarded in the Del Bosque reign which has seen them practice so many spot kicks.

Fabregas-and-Silva-Spain

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Cesc Fabregas’ miss against El Salvador last weekend may have reminded the manager that it’s time for Spain to brush up skills which have seen them win shoot outs against Italy (x 2) and Portugal in three of their last five tournaments.

Fine. But there have been so many different players hitting penalties that you’d deduce Vicente Del Bosque’s scouts reckon on Holland’s inexperienced back five giving away a spot kick on Friday evening (8pm).

For those interested the order of priority which Del Bosque has set for penalty takers is: David Villa, Cesc, Alonso and then …. perhaps Ramos? We shall see.

How Spain start looks to be down to a very small refinement in midfield and attack.

Training Day

Anyone who’s seen training would be surprised if the 4-3-3 formation doesn’t line up: Casillas; Azpilicueta, Piqué, Ramos, Alba: Xavi/Koke, Busquets, Alonso; Silva, Costa/Fabregas, Iniesta.

As terrific as Koke has looked in all the work-outs this week, all nimble feet and clever options taken when the ball comes to him plus a robust, shrewd presence in midfield defensive work, Del Bosque thinks so highly of Xavi that it’d be a surprise to see him benched at the start of the tournament.

Rotated as the World Cup evolves? Okay. Regularly playing only 55-65 minutes? Fine. But left out for the first game with all the attendant media coverage. I struggle to imagine it.

Diego-Costa-slider

The ‘centre forward’ position is at least as intriguing. The last major game when Del Bosque was faced with an opponent using five at the back was the opener of Euro 2012 against Italy and he chose to unpick Cesare Prandelli’s side with Cesc Fabregas at ‘false 9′.

It’s clearly an option again and the (soon to be former?) Barcelona man not only scored that day but, with Villa, Iniesta, Silva and Torres, has scored this week in training matches.

The counter to that is that Del Bosque left out a real favourite in Jesús Navas because of fears that he might ‘re-injure’ himself.

Yet Diego Costa was not only included in the 23 man travelling party he started against El Salvador and played the large majority of the match despite having limped off in the Champions League final with the recurrence of a hamstring problem.

Costa’s in the frame

All of that indicates that the Spain manager really wants to use Costa and that the Brazilian-born centre forward presents the type of threat which Spain have shown less regularly in recent years.

Those who played with Costa last Saturday in Washington told me that the ball was played ‘earlier’ to him and from longer distance because he is so good at losing his marker.

Perhaps he starts as a slight favourite to face Holland – but I don’t think the decision will be taken until match-day.

In the Confederations Cup a year ago, Spain began their match with Uruguay with the power and direction of a runaway train.

For 75 minutes it was best to just get out of their way. But they tired and Uruguay defended for their lives to the extend that the match only finished 2-1 with Spain unable to convert footballing dominance into a firm, nerveless, energy-saving win.

I’d see something similar occurring here in Salvador on Friday evening. Those tempted to look down the list of odds for less quoted scorers might be tempted by Pedro.

Pedro-&-Mark-Van-Bommel

Not guarantee of any game time, he’s nevertheless someone who not only MIGHT start – he’s likely to be asked to supply the missing Navas magic by coming on for the last 25 minutes to test Holland with his blistering pace.

He’s also Spain’s top scorer over the last 18 months – burying chances which might have slid past for Barcelona.

A game the holders could lose? Yes, there’s definitely banana-skin potential.

A game they will lose? I’m not too sure about that. Goals from Ramos, Pedro and Robben and Spain off to a better start than four years ago.

  • Spain to win 2-1 is 8/1 with Paddy Power.
  • Pedro to score first 13/2 or anytime 5/2

Shoot over here for all the latest odds on Spain v Holland

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Damage done for dozy Dutch

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Sunday brings crunch time in Group B at Euro 2012 and all four nations in the so-called ‘Group of Death’ can still make it through to the quarter-finals stage, with Holland priced up 5/1 ‘To Qualify‘.

It has not been a tournament to remember for the Dutch so far this summer but they can still make it into the last eight although their fate is out of their hands following back-to-back defeats to Denmark and Germany.

Bert van Marwijk and his men know ahead of their clash with Portugal in Kharkiv that they must win the game by a two-goal margin while they also need Denmark to slip to defeat against Germany to get out of jail.

The downside is that Germany will top Group B even if they are held to a draw by the Danes which would then render Holland’s result meaningless.

The Dutch can only focus on their own game, however, and the simple fact is that they need goals in order to take advantage should the other result go their way (Holland 18/1 – To Win 3/1).

History, though, is not on Holland’s side as no side has ever made the knockout stage after losing their first two games, but surely if that statistic is to be overcome then the men in orange have as good a chance as any other side.

Van Marwijk knows he must throw caution to the wind and play an attack-minded side so there might not be a place for destroyer Nigel de Jong, with striker striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (9/1 – To Score Two Or More Goals) pushing for a deserved start.

Holland certainly have plenty of creativity on their bench in the shape of Rafael van der Vaart, however they have created chances and would not be in this mess had they been more clinical in front of goal.

The problem facing van Marwijk is that he must go for the jugular yet also be mindful of the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani, Raul Meireles and Joao Moutinho who will all be bearing down on a Dutch defence that is not the strongest in Poland and Ukraine (Portugal 9/5, draw 11/5, Holland 13/8 – 90 Minutes).

The Portuguese will go through with a win unless Denmark win by a one-goal margin – other than 2-1 and 1-0 – against the Germans who have again demonstrated their prowess at tournament football.

Head coach Paulo Bento may not be presiding over Portugal’s golden generation but this crop is not too shabby and the fact he is set to name the same XI for the fifth competitive game in a row – compared to van Marwijk’s desperate juggling act – means the men from the Iberian peninsula will ge the win and keep their fingers crossed over matters in Lviv.

Portugal are 4/9 to make it to the knockout stage for the fifth European Championships in a row.

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Dutch need instant response

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Holland take on Germany in the second round of Group B matches at Euro 2012 on Wednesday desperate for a positive result after their shock defeat to Denmark. The Germans know that victory could seal their passage into the last eight and it looks set to be a cracking encounter in Kharkiv (Holland 2/1, Germany 11/8, draw 12/5 Match Prices).

A solid start in the group stages of tournament football is always essential and the Dutch began in the worst possible way by spurning a host of chances to go down 1-0 to the Danes. The one positive for the Oranje is that they played well for most of the game and could have scored a bag full of goals if things had gone differently in front of goal.

But the result leaves them with the proverbial mountain to climb to qualify as they face their old enemy in a match that is sure to see plenty of drama and controversy (Holland 21/10 To Qualify). The rivalry between these two footballing nations makes the north London derby seem like a Sunday morning kick about and Wednesday’s affair has now taken on even more meaning after the first round of games in Group B.

The Dutch have a history of infighting among their squad at major tournaments and it has not taken long for unrest to rear its ugly head this time around. Rafael van der Vaart clearly felt he should have been playing from the start against Denmark and vented his spleen to journalists after Saturday’s reverse.

Coach Bert van Marwijk has come in for some criticism for selecting two defensive midfielders against, on paper, the weakest side in the group, and has hinted at changes against the Germans. Whether or not Van der Vaart gets the nod only time will tell but whoever takes the field will certainly have to be at the top of their game to get one over on one of the form teams at the tournament.

Robin van Persie missed several chances in the opener but will doubtless keep his place and it may just be case of getting one goal for the Arsenal man before the floodgates open. But he does not look the same player at international level as he does domestically and was criticised by some sections of the media for making a phone call on the pitch immediately after the final whistle last time out.

Has the uncertainty over his future at club level started playing on the 28-year-old’s mind?

All is not good in the Dutch camp and they will need to regroup and bounce back straight away otherwise it will be an early exit from Poland and Ukraine.

The Germans did what German sides do first up and bided their time before Mario Gomez netted the all-important goal late in the match to beat Portugal. It was no more than an efficient performance from Joachim Loew’s side and there is surely more to come from the European powerhouse as they possess all sorts of talent in their ranks.

Gomez is many people’s tip to top the scoring charts in the competition and he will be a constant threat to the Dutch in mid-week, while Lukas Podolski will have to make sure he has his shooting boots on this time (Gomez 5/1 Top Goalscorer). Bastian Schweinsteiger will look to dominate the middle of the park and his battles with Mark van Bommel and Wesley Sneijder will be key to the outcome.

The Portuguese did get at the German rearguard last Saturday and hit the woodwork twice and so the Dutch stars will be encouraged to go forward and try to get an early goal to see how the opposition respond.

The Netherlands should obviously have had a penalty against the Danes after a late handball by defender Lars Jacobsen and a draw in that match would have made things a touch easier. But they will be feeling the pressure against the three-time World Cup winners and there is no better side at putting the nail in the coffin that the ruthless Germans.

This will be a feisty affair with plenty of bookings and incidents and it would be no surprise to see honours even after 90 minutes.

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Dutch have the Klaas

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The focus on Saturday turns very much to the toughest looking group at Euro 2012, with the Group B campaign kicking off with Holland taking on Denmark at the Medalist Stadium at 5pm.

With Germany and Portugal also in the pool, Group B certainly deserves to have the label of  ‘Group of Death’ as all four sides are currently ranked in the world’s top 10 – and Joachim Low’s men are currently 3/1 joint favourites with Spain to go all the way.

Holland are third favourites to lift the trophy at 6/1 while they are 7/4 to take Group B honours, with Denmark on offer at 12/1 to surprise a few people and book their place in the knockout stages.

With the quality of opposition in the group, none of the sides can really afford to take their foot off the gas but in this case the pressure will be on Holland to deliver, with Denmark widely regarded as the weakest link in the group.

As such, it is no surprise to see Bert van Marwijk’s men installed as 8/13 favourites in the match betting, with the draw priced at 11/4 and Denmark available at 11/2 to cause a shock.

These two sides actually locked horns in their opening game of the World Cup in 2010 with the Oranje running out 2-0 winners (6/1 for a repeat scoreline), en route to their run through to the final where they lost to Spain.

Holland have certainly had the better of recent form having not lost to the Scandinavians in their last eight meetings – five of them draws – with Dirk Kuyt and a Daniel Agger own goal making the difference two years ago.

Kuyt did not score the killer second goal until the 85th minute so Holland will have to work for the win, although they look to have more players who can make the difference in any game.

Arjen Robben enjoyed a fine campaign in South Africa while he has been the scourge of many a team across Europe for Bayern Munich but he is far from the only threat in a squad that boasts the likes of Wesley Sneijder, Rafael van der Vaart and Ibrahim Afellay.

It certainly looks as though there will be plenty of service for the frontmen but, even though Robin van Persie enjoyed a sensational season with Arsenal, it may pay to side with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar at 4/1 in the First Goalscorer market as the Schalke striker outshone his compatriot in qualifying with 12 goals to six.

Of course, a lot will depend on the team put out by van Marwijk but there is no doubt that the threat is definitely there for the Dutch as they look to get off to a winning start.

Denmark do not have quite the same strength in depth but will try and make themselves hard to beat, emphasised by just one defeat in qualifying as they topped Group H – with Portugal incidentally only finishing second in the group.

There are less household names for coach Morten Olsen to call on but Christian Eriksen has been making a name for himself at Ajax and will certainly be one to look out for – particularly with the transfer window now open.

Nicklas Bendtner has not quite hit the heights that he expected in the Premier League but has a decent scoring record for his country with 18 goals in 48 games, while the veteran Dennis Rommedahl is the only other player in double figures – 21 goals in 116 games.

It is a side on the up for Denmark with potential to get better but a game against an in-form, experienced and talented Dutch side may well just be a bridge too far.

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Dutch eye Slovakia sign-off boost

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Following defeats in their previous two Euro 2012 warm-up matches, the Netherlands will be looking for a positive performance and result when they host Slovakia on Wednesday evening.

The Dutch were defeated 3-2 by Champions League finalists Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on May 22 and were beaten 2-1 by Bulgaria four days later on home turf.

Coach Bert van Marwijk and team captain Mark van Bommel insist that preparations ahead of next month’s tournament in Poland and Ukraine remain on track, but the Oranje will be eager to silence their doubters when they take on Slovakia.

The Eastern European side failed to qualify for Euro 2012, and were defeated 1-0 by tournament co-hosts Poland on Friday, but their squad boasts some considerable talent and experience of competing at a high level.

Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik captains the side and he is ably supported in the middle of the park by Manchester City fringe man Vladimir Weiss and Fenerbache’s talented former Chelsea prospect Miroslav Stoch.

The Slovaks will look towards Bursaspor hitman Stanislav Sestak for goals, but it is difficult to see the number 34 ranked side in the world upsetting the 2010 World Cup finalists.

The Dutch head into the game as 1/4 favourites to win the match, the draw is available at 21/5, while Slovakia are out at 9/1 to cause an upset and boost team morale ahead of their qualifying campaign for the 2014 World Cup.

But despite losing their last two internationals, the Netherlands have found the net in both matches and should rack up the goals in Rotterdam tomorrow night.

A 4-0 win for van Marwijk’s men is not beyond the realms of possibility and, at 12/1, that particular selection represents excellent value for money. 3-0 is available at 11/2, while the Dutch are at 16/1 to hit five past their visitors and keep a clean sheet.

Those who fancy the favourites to stutter ahead of their European Championship test might fancy the 2-2 draw selection, which can be bought at 16/1, although given that there have been 16 goals scored in the Netherlands’ last four out outings, the 0-0 or 1-1 selections, though available at tempting prices respectively, should be avoided for this one.

A Dutch half-time/full-time win is available at 8/13, but there is better value to be found elsewhere. A tie at the interval followed by a home victory after 90 minutes can be bought at 3/1, while a Slovakia half-time lead followed by a come-from-behind win for their opponents is available at 22/1.

And, given the Netherlands’ obvious issues at the back in recent matches, that last selection looks a very attractive prospect indeed.

“You should never give away a goal like that,” said a rueful van Marwijk, reflecting on Bulgaria’s winner against his side earlier this week.

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Los Che set for Dutch test

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Valencia are rated as one of the favourites to win the Europa League this season but the Spanish giants will first have to get past PSV Eindhoven if they wish have any chance of claiming the European title (Valencia 8/13, draw 14/5, PSV 9/2 Match Betting).

Were it not for Real Madrid and Barcelona, Los Che (7/1 Europa League outright) would be the premier team in La Liga and the outfit from the Mestalla are deservedly one of the favourites to lift the trophy outside of the Manchester giants United and City.

With the likes of Ever Banega pulling the strings in the midfield and Roberto Soldado banging in the goals up front, Valencia have a host of players that will be looking to cause PSV problems on Thursday night.

Manager Unai Emery had to negotiate his side past the challenges Stoke City presented them in the last round and despite getting drawn into a niggly second-leg at the Mestalla, Valencia managed to outplay the Potters.

PSV will pose very different problems for the Spanish tactician as they look to bounce back from their 6-2 defeat at the hands of FC Twente in the Eredivisie on Sunday.

The Rood-Witten did see off Turkish outfit Trabzonspor in the last round of the Europa League and will be no pushovers when they make the trip to Spain.

However Valencia should prove to be too strong at home, as they have been for much of the domestic season, and put themselves in a strong position before the return trip to the Netherlands.

Twente will still be flying high after their convincing victory over PSV, as they look ahead to their matchup with Schalke 04 at De GrolschVeste (Twente 5/4, draw 9/4, Schalke 21/10 Match Betting).

The Reds are currently sitting in second place in the Eredivisie with a game in hand over league leaders AZ Alkmaar and will be confident of getting a result against their German opponents.

They might well be taking on Schalke at a good time as the Bundesliga side have suffered defeats in their last two domestic outings against Bayern Munich and Freiburg.

Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar  will be looking to get one over on Twente on Thursday, if he has managed to shake off the concussion he sustained in the 3-2 victory over England.

With the kind of form Schalke are in at the moment, Twente might just edge this one on home soil, in what should be a closely fought contest.

Fellow Dutch side Alkmaar also face a tough matchup when they take on Udinese, who have come on leaps and bounds in Serie A this season (Alkmaar 6/5, draw 11/5, Udinese 12/5 Match Betting).

Udinese (20/1 Europa League outright) have seen off the likes of Celtic and PAOK Salonika in previous encounters in this competition and could be a dark horse for the Europa League title in 2012.

Frontman Antonio Di Natale is a prolific striker and he will certainly be someone the AZ defence will have to look out for.

Despite topping the Eredivisie and looking in good form, Udinese could get the win in Holland to take back with them to the Stadio Friuli.

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Dutch on course for Euro crown

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The latest round of Euro 2012 qualifiers are coming up in early June, and this time next year the teams will be preparing to do battle in Poland and Ukraine, but who are the main contenders for next year’s tournament, and the outsiders to watch?

The Favourites

Holland

The World Cup runners-up have continued to progress since losing to Spain in South Africa and are one of three teams with a 100% record. The Netherlands are the top goalscorers in qualifying, to date, with 21 goals in six Group E fixtures.

Bert van Marwijk’s men have brought the best out of two Premier League strikers, Dirk Kuyt and Robin van Persie, while Klass-Jan Huntelaar tops the scoring charts in qualifying with with eight goals.

The defence is still the main concern for those following the Netherlands, but they will be firm contenders next summer.

Outright Betting – Holland 13/2

Spain

The defending champions have eased through the qualifying campaign so far and top Group I. Spain have had some worrying moments though, with a hard-fought 3-2 win at Hampden Park, and then falling behind at home to the Czech Republic before clinching a 2-1 success.

They will undoubtedly be the team to beat again next summer, but the goalscoring department will their concern. David Villa has endured a tough end to the La Liga season, while Fernando Torres has scored just once since his £50million move from Liverpool in January. There is still plenty of time to put that right though!

Outright Betting – Spain 7/2

Germany

The young side that impressed and surprised so many in South Africa last summer are showing that their World Cup displays were not a flash in the pan. The Germans have won all five matches to date and conceded just one goal so far!

Group A looks one of the tougher groups, with Turkey, Belgium and Austria three of the other five teams, but Germany have taken a firm grip on top spot.

Veteran striker Miroslav Klose continues to bang in the goals, with eight to date, while Manuel Neuer at the other end is arguably the best keeper in Europe.

Outright Betting – Germany 9/2

The Outsiders

England

We say it every two years, but the Three Lions look to have a decent chance of a big tournament in Poland and Ukraine, with a good mixture of experience and youth. Now the ‘Golden Generation’ has been split up somewhat, the pressure may ease on Fabio Capello’s men going into the tournament.

After an appalling showing at last year’s World Cup, Capello has decided to blood some more young stars and the likes of Andy Carroll, Jack Wilshere and Joe Hart are shining in qualifying.

If England can see off Montengero in qualifying – both are on 10 points in Group G – there will be plenty of punters eyeing a big price on the 1996 semi-finalists.

Outright Betting – England 9/1

Russia

The 1988 runners-up are in a tough qualifying group but will fancy their chances of qualification, with four of their remaining five matches at home.

With thousands of Russian fans likely to make the short journey to the finals, their tournament matches will almost feel like home games!

In Dutchman Dick Advocaat, Russia have a shrewd tactician at the helm and they have plenty of firepower going forward, with the likes of Arshavin, Pavlychenko and Pogrebnyak.

Outright Betting – Russia 20/1

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Sneijder fit for Dutch

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Midfielder Wesley Sneijder has overcome a calf problem in time to make Holland’s team to face Spain in Sunday’s World Cup final (Netherlands 6/4 outright).

Sneijder has been suffering from cramp since helping guide the Netherlands through to their third World Cup showpiece by beating Uruguay.

But the 26-year-old Inter Milan midfielder has given coach Bert van Marwijk a huge boost by declaring himself fit.

Goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg has recovered from a hip injury and will maintain his position while Gregory Van der Wiel and Nigel de Jong are back in contention for a start after serving one-match suspensions.

“It’s unbelievable, the most important match in my football life. It is quite something and this applies to all my players,” said the coach.

“No Dutch player has ever become world champion and that is extraordinary but we approach it as a special match.”

The Dutch, he said, must be brave in a match between teams with the desire to play attractive football.

“They have to be themselves and have to have the courage to play football against Spain,” said Van Marwijk.

“They are two of the best teams and I emphasise the word ‘team’.

“We beat Brazil and Spain beat Germany. Spain have played more attractive football than we have but the teams have the intention to play in the same way. Both teams have their own style but they resemble each other.

“I’m not going to tell you how I’m going to play. We just have to be ourselves.”

Van Marwijk rejected the notion that Holland had an advantage because they had won all their six matches while Spain had lost to Switzerland in the group phase and scored more goals, 12 to Spain’s seven.

“Spain is the best football country of the last few years,” he said.

“Scoring goals is unimportant now. This is a new match, a special match. We have lots of players who can score a goal and so do Spain. We have got to believe in ourselves and not be afraid. We are convinced we can win.”

Meanwhile, Dutch captain Giovanni Van Bronckhorst admitted he had dreamed of lifting the trophy in what will be his last football match, having announced his retirement.

He said: “As a boy I remember Maradona and Cafu and Dunga holding up the trophy. It is a dream to hold up that trophy. It would be fantastic for me, the Dutch team and the Dutch people to take it home.

“The only thing that counts is winning the final and we will walk on the pitch tomorrow believing we can do it.”

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Spain hoping to go Dutch

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The Netherlands are 21/10 favourites for the World Cup after knocking Brazil out of the competition.

The South Americans took the lead through Robinho in the first half but a Felipe Melo own goal and a Wesley Sneijder header turned the tables in the second half as the Dutch ran out 2-1 winners.

Things went from bad to worse for Melo, who was deservedly sent off for stamping on Arjen Robben with 17 minutes to go.

Spain are the 9/4 second favourites to lift the World Cup but they face a tricky test against Paraguay on Saturday evening (Paraguay 7/1, draw 11/4, Spain 1/2).

Paraguay scraped into the last-eight by beating Japan on penalties in the last round after a lifeless 0-0 draw. Their success has been built on a solid defence, which has only conceded one goal in the competition so far.

Paraguay have only scored three goals in the World Cup but coach Gerardo Martino insists that his side will pose a significant threat to Spain.

“In three of the four World Cup matches we had to take the game to our opponents and that’s difficult for a team like ours,” said Martino.

“Our future rivals will let us play. Spain will give us more space.”

However, goalkeeper Justo Villar has warned the Spanish that his side will not return the favour and let their star names play.

“Our football has always been about a lot of hard work and tactics,” said Villar.

“It’s going to be a good match where you will see two types of football.

“One side trying to attack skilfully while we try to stop them and then try to take advantage of our chances.”

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque is set to keep faith with misfiring striker Fernando Torres, who has failed to score in Spain’s four games in the World Cup to date.

Del Bosque has expressed his “full confidence” in the Liverpool striker despite Torres clearly struggling for form. In mitigating circumstances, he went into the tournament on the back of knee surgery in April and is clearly struggling for fitness.

In the last-16 clash against Portugal, del Bosque replaced Torres with Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente with the score at 0-0. Llorente twice went close to breaking the deadlock and was involved in David Villa’s winning goal.

This earned him plaudits in the Spanish media and the pressure is now on Torres to deliver with the Bilbao man breathing down his neck. However, he will receive confidence from the backing of his coach and will be hoping to reward this faith with a goal against Paraguay (Torres 4/1 to score first goal).

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