Netherlands vs France
The world champions are virtually home and hosed as far as the UEFA Nations League is concerned.
Very few SBOBET fans or tipsters would predict them finishing in anything but the top spot in Group A1.
Nonetheless, should the Netherlands manage to upset France in Rotterdam, it would provide one of the UEFA Nations League 2018 news stories to date.
Talking Points
The Netherlands have already shown they can beat the best on home soil. While a closer game than the scoreline suggested, last month’s 3-0 victory over Germany was proof of that.
Now, they need to win again to maintain their hopes of winning the group.
France only need a draw to progress and, in theory, would then have a more straightforward passage to Euro 2020.
The atmosphere inside the Stade De Kuip on Friday night will certainly be lively as the favourite son of Dutch football, Ronald Koeman, tries to restore the good days and return his nation to the top table of international football.
It’s easy to forget that Koeman has more pedigree than many realise.
He was coached by the legendary Rinus Michels, Johan Cruyff and Guus Hiddink. Furthermore, he remains the only person to have not only played for but also managed the Dutch ‘Big Three’ of Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord.
Yet, his own management career has been little more than mediocre, so his job is about strengthening his reputation as much as reinvigorating the poor performances of the national team.
He has placed his faith mainly on youth so far, with the likes of Memphis Depay, Justin Kluivert, Quincy Promes, Denzel Dumfries, Frenkie de Jong and Steven Bergwijn all getting game time as Koeman builds momentum.
Momentum that is much needed after four years of misery since Louis van Gaal guided them to the semi-finals of the 2014 World Cup.
Then there are the more experienced men shining such as Liverpool duo Virgil van Dijk and Georginio Wijnaldum.
Dutch football has long been tied up with issues of style and identity.
Indeed, the Total Football revolution of the early 1970s under Michels still defines Dutch football, and memories of that continue to shape perceptions of what football ought to be.
However, the grim post-Van Gaal years of failing to qualify for both Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup have led to much soul-searching. Koeman seems to be lifting spirits again, slowly but surely.
This is a key barometer.
Back to France briefly.
It is this observers’ belief that, while France won a superb World Cup, they did so by being the best of a number of nations where the quality had dropped from the tournament four years previously.
That is not the fault of Didier Deschamps, of course, but does this French team really live up to some of the world champions of the past?
It’s good to talk!
History
Their most recent meeting two months ago went the way of the world champions on their triumphant return to Paris.
Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud netted in a 2-1 win to spark a mini-run which has put them on the brink of sealing top spot in the group.
Of the 27 meetings between these nations, Les Bleus have the edge with 14 wins to Holland’s10 successes and three draws.
Two of those victories came in qualifying for this summer’s World Cup—a tournament the French memorably triumphed while the Oranje were at home watching the action.
Funnily enough, though, the Dutch have not been beaten in their most recent competitive meetings.
In Euro 2000, a tournament the French went on to win, the Netherlands ran out 3-2 winners in the group stage. Fans of a certain vintage will nostalgically remember the goalscorers that night: Patrick Kluivert, Frank de Boer and Bolo Zenden.
Holland also romped to a 4-1 success at Euro 2008, but they were knocked out by Russia in the quarter-finals.
Betting Tip
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Netherlands vs France | 1X2 Draw @ 3.15 |
| November 17, 03:45 (GMT+8) |
UEFA Nations League 2018 betting odds give France the edge as expected. The1X2 market has Les Bleus winning at 2.31, with the Dutch backed at 3.00 and the draw at 3.15.
However, I think a draw is a more likely result. Sure enough, there is a certain appeal with Asian Handicap betting for the Netherlands Draw No Bet @ 2.25—whereas France are priced -0.25 @ 2.06.
Over 2.75 goals will also get you odds of 2.08. A low-scoring affair is unlikely given that Total Goal 0-1 is priced at 3.45.
Moreover, a repeat of France’s 2-1 win with correct score will pay out at 8.25.
| A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR () BETS ARE WORTH: |
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|---|---|---|---|
 = €20 (Highly confident) |
 = €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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