Tonight’s first semi-final sees another European versus South American clash with Holland taking on Uruguay. The initial call was that the South American qualifying school was strong but Holland, Germany and Spain at the weekend established the top European form as being at least as good, if not a better than its South American counterpart.
Holland had a perfect record in qualification wining a straight eight games and only conceding two goals, both away from home. In South Africa during the group stages you always felt there was more to come and they started the knock out phase with a comfortable victory over an average Slovakian side. They were a puntinplay recommendation against Brazil on Friday but could be backed at 14/1 at half-time for the match and 25/1 for the tournament. A fluke goal from a Sneijder turned the game and the Dutch eventually ran out 2-1 victors, as the samba boys lost their rhythm and discipline. Against all these positives you have to flag up the Dutch ability to implode at crucial times and the loss of de Jong is a blow.
Uruguay, under the wily stewardship of Oscar Tabarez, have had a great tournament but the injury pressure maybe beginning to tell. They will be without the injured Loderio, the suspended Suarez and Fucile plus there are doubts about the central defenders Godin and Lugano. Team news on this match could be crucial.
Holland are strongly fancied to make their first final since the good old days of three day weeks, Johan Cruyff, and total football. At 4/6 they may represent value when the teams come through but at puntinplay we anticipate a tight low scoring affair and therefore the bet of the day is the draw which can be backed a 13/5 with Bet365 and Skybet.
