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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