Wednesday 18/06/2014, 21:00, World Cup Group B, Australia vs Netherlands

Australia vs Netherlands Betting Preview

It is hard to find a more lopsided game at the World Cup 2014, that doesn't involve Argentina or Brazil, than the match between Australia and the Netherlands. The Europeans will be trying to win group B and to do this, they can't afford to lose any points to Australia or Chile. The latter can be a hard nut to crack, not to mention that they have some remarkable midfielders and strikers, but the underdogs of Group B look like the perfect victim.

Australia vs Netherlands Betting Odds

At Bet365

Netherlands 1.30, Draw 5.00, Australia 11.00

Australia vs Netherlands Betting Tips

It comes as no surprise that Australia has some of the biggest odds among all participating did when it comes to surviving group stage. They are so clearly outgunned by their opponents, that virtually nobody back home expects them to finish third and even fewer trust them to make the last 16.
Four defenders, five midfielders and Cahill as the sole striker is a far cry for a team, and it is very likely that Australia will get pushed around and World Cup 2014. Even if a second striker will join Cahill against Chile, this won't be enough, in fact it will expose them to bigger risks.

The Netherlands will try to score as many goals as possible against Australia and the same applies to Spain, because if the European nations draw their game, this could be an important criteria. Following the disheartening performance at Euro 2012 the Dutch are wary of teams scoring on counterattack, but they have no reasons to be afraid in this game.

Lens, van Persie and Robben will all play against Australia and anyone who aspires to become the top scorer in Brazil will need to take this match very seriously. The Netherlands will have so many opportunities to score against this aging defense and so little to fear from 34 years old Cahill, that it is virtually impossible for their opponents to keep a clean sheet.

Key Facts

• The last friendly games were downright frightening for the Netherlands who drew three times and lost to France
• Australia won once and drew twice against the Netherlands, but all three fixtures were friendly games.

Australia vs Netherlands Betting Odds Prediction

The reason for why punters shouldn't hesitate in backing the Netherlands to win by at least two goals is that the Dutch need to score as much as possible against Australia. They have formidable strikers and as long as their opponents don't retaliate in a convincing manner, they can easily cover the spread.

Bet: Netherlands -1.5 goals @ 2.00 with Bet365