Netherlands vs Slovakia - World Cup betting odds

Despite winning all three of their matches so far at the World Cup, the Netherlands have been criticised for failing to really turn on the style and win convincingly so far. They will hope to improve today as they face Slovakia in the last-sixteen in South Africa.

The Dutch started their campaign with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Denmark, before squeaking past Japan and Cameroon 1-0 and 2-1 respectively. For a side famed for its fluency going forward, they have looked disjointed at times and, although they have kept two clean sheets, their defence is clearly a cause for concern.

Slovakia were uninspired in their first two matches, managing only a draw with New Zealand before being outclassed by Paraguay. However, their win over Italy, against whom they scored three goals, proves that on their day they are a force to be reckoned with.

The Netherlands are favourites for the game at 4/9 (bet £90 to win £40 profit), leaving Slovakia as underdogs at 9/1 with Betfred and Victor Chandler, with the draw at 7/2. In the event of a draw, the match will go to extra time and then penalties, with both sides 15/1 with Boylesports to win it via a shoot-out.

The bookmakers seem to think the Netherlands will again fail to put on a show for their fans and have made a 1-0 win the favourite score for the game, with Bet365 offering 11/2. The same price is generally available on 2-0 and a 1-1 draw is priced at 8/1, with a shock 1-0 win for Slovakia as long as 22/1 with 888sport and Bluesquare.

Robin van Persie, who scored the opening goal against Cameron last time out, is favourite to break the deadlock again this afternoon, at 7/2 in most places, followed by Klaas-Jan Huntelaar at 11/2 with Victor Chandler. Wesley Sneijder is 8/1 with Stan James and Robert Vittek is seen to be Slovakia`s biggest threat, priced at 11/1.

The Netherlands are 23/20 with Extrabet and William Hill to lead today at both half-time and full-time and it will be interesting to see whether the favourites come out all guns blazing or look to feel out their opponents, safe in the knowledge that they have extra-time to fall back on if the game is drawn. They are 7/2 to win the match after drawing at the interval and Coral and Totesport go 6/1 that both halves end in a draw.

Both of today`s sides are given very different chances of lifting the World Cup this summer by the bookmakers. Holland, at 7/1, are fourth favourites for the competition, while Slovakia are complete no-hopers,even with only twelve teams left, at 200/1.

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