Euro 2012, Group B, Wednesday, Kharkiv, 7.45pm
GERMANY v HOLLAND – it doesn't get much better than this.
It was one of the shortest match-ups for the final in the antepost betting with plenty of people seeing the sides cruise through Group D then not meet again until the trophy decider.
But Denmark put a spanner in the works by dumping the Dutch 1-0 and Germany, who were
1-0 winners over Portugal, have a chance to knockout their great rivals at the first stage.
Efficient Germany did just enough to take the points from Portugal in a game that wasn’t easy on the eye and I can see them treating tonight's tie with the same mindset: “Don't lose a goal and maybe nick one at the other end”.
So tonight will it be Oranje squashed or will we witness saur Krauts? On the basis of the openers it has to be the latter – and now the Dutch have started fighting among themselves as usual.
Rafael van der Vaart says he's not starting because boss Bert van Marwijk's daughter is married to Mark van Bommell and Arjen Robben's team-mates have branded him selfish. On top of that Robin van Persie looked out or form against the Danes and Klaas Jan Huntelaar was simply outof the team.
There is talk van Marwijk will start Huntelaar for Ibrahim Afellay and move van Persie. But maybe he'll pick his grandson instead or give his missus a game at the back!
I love watching Holland at their free-flowing best but on the evidence of the first camp and the mood in the camp I'm going to side with Germany although it would be wise to keep the draw on side.
The Germans are 6-4 (various) to win and you can get 4-5 with Stan James on the draw no bet market.
Golden Boot favourite Mario Gomez fared better than Robin van Persie as he hit the winner against Portugal and is 6-1 with the likes of Hills and Ladbrokes to again break the deadlock, 11-5 (unibet) to net.
To score first it’s van Persie (7-1, various) and Klaas Jan Huntelaar (8-1, Ladbrokes, William Hill).
The draw pays a best 12-5 at unibet and bet365 while Holland are 21-10 (Blue Square) with the Germans 6-4 at William Hill and Paddy Power.
The corners market on this is interesting. Holland had 11 v Denmark while Germany weren’t fazed by conceding 11 against Portugal as they were confident of winning headers in the box and clearing their lines all day.
If van Persie is pushed wide the Dutch should win a few corners from his crosses. You can have 11-10 at bet365 on 11 or more corners in the match and 12 or more is 11-8 at Ladbrokes.
Recommendations
Gomez to score
(11-5, unibet)
Germany
(4-5, draw no bet)
Germany v Holland over 11 corners
(11-10, bet365)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
In December 2020 we sadly 
Over 10 corners is 6/5 with paddy power, happy days
George, must have a chance.
Covered tonight with
Gomez first scorer and rvp first scorer
RVP has to be looking to get off the mark. The dutch cant afford another loss.
It could all come down to the earlier kick offs result as to how the dutch approach it.
Sounds like the dutch arent a happy camp. Not much between teams but think germans are mentally stronger. My treble is germany @ 7/5, btts italy v croatia @ 11/10 and spain -1 @ 5/6. Think 11/10 for btts in italy game is great price was expecting 4/6 at best.
Gomez 1st goal 6/1
Germany 3-2 28/1
Gomez anytime 3-2 40/1
Holland to click tonight rvp first goal 2 1
went for few tonight
germany
ht draw ft germany
over 2.5 gls
germany 2-1
germany 3-1
gomez 1st gl
gomez anytime
germany + 2-1
germany + 3-1
only small bets, £10 on surely get suhin back
Craig, you fancy Germany then!
Gomez comes up trumps!
Yes super Mario :)
Come on Germany!!
Just stuck him on for 2nd goal!
haha jist a wee bit. £13 back just now but all bets still goin
Anyone else wish theyd put him on for top goalscorer? Whats that? Everyone else did. dammit!!
Joe, I think some people held back because he was so poor in Champions League Final but how bad are the Dutch?
Yass gomez!!
Covered my small rvp scorecasts with gomez first goal @ betfred £22 back for £2 stake. Give me another gomez for £32. Mind you that wouldnt do my £10ew benzema golden boot any good
Might aswell stuck gomez on for 3rd scorer.
I think get on the corners market for the second half! Dutch are gonna har to throw everything at them and Germany don’t mind conceding corners
haha he’ll get a hat-trick, just can’t see holland scoring unless get van der vaart and huntelaar on
What do you think about the corners fixit?
There’s 1 ha, I think there’s honna be loads this half
George, there’s another!
wee cheeky muller 3rd goal 10/1 william hill
Anyone had any luck on betfreds goals galore enhanced odds? Every game so far bar 2 have come in! Last 7 going into this game!
McGart, I’ve done a few singles but hardly tried an accumulator in the tournament.
lost a few quid got a game on our hands now but
£10 hollans nxt gl 5/2 to cover scorecast
8 btts now in a row! Be warned I am placing both friday and saturday games as an accumulator. Normaly when I back suhin of late its a losser lol
Will only be lossing some of my gomez money
So close to 3 outta 3 paul. 1 corner short!!
Joe, 11 corners exactly in the end. Should have gone with Paddy Power over 10.
Spain to win both halves 9/5 with Paddy Power is some price!!
Tommo, it looks a big one. Spain should win at a canter even if they don’t play a striker.
Fantastic night! Hope everyone profited!
Marc, couldn’t really see past Germany and with Gomez and van Persie scoring it must have cost bookies a few quid.