WORLD CUP BETTING: Live on ITV1: Sat 12.30, BBC1: Sat 15.00 & ITV1: Sat 19.30: Day 9 of the World Cup; Netherlands v Japan, Ghana v Australia and Cameroon v Denmark in Groups D & E.
The Dutch weren’t at their fluent best as they saw off Denmark but they did more than enough to warrant the three-point haul and they’ll fancy their chances of registering a second win against Japan. Takeshi Osada’s men are in confident mood themselves having made history by claiming their first World Cup win on foreign soil against Cameroon, but the Indomitable Lions failed to turn up in that one and the Oranjes will be a different proposition altogether.
Accordingly, it’s Holland that Ladbrokes have installed as odds-on favourites at 2/5 while a second Japanese triumph is on offer at a chunky 10/1 courtesy of Paddy Power and that looks about right, with Bert van Marwijk’s troops likely to have too much class for their industrious opponents.
Save for their goal against Cameroon, Japan didn’t offer much going forward and the Dutch looked relatively comfortable at the back against the Danes. That pattern should continue here, Holland a tempting 11/8 (Partybets) to grab another victory without conceding and 6/1 with Stan James to repeat Monday’s 2-0 triumph.
Robin van Persie meanwhile, was a constant threat in Johannesburg, doing everything but get on the scoresheet and he can put that right by finding the net in this one; an outcome bet365 quote at 21/20.
Rocked by their 4-0 reverse against Germany and the loss of talismanic midfielder Tim Cahill to suspension, the Socceroos don’t head to Rustenburg to face Ghana, in the best of shape and although it’s unheard of for any Australian team to dwell on defeat and lack confidence; they have it all to do against the buoyant Black Stars.
William Hill post 10/3 against Pim Verbeek’s men bouncing back with a win but they looked ponderous and bewildered at the back against the Germans and Ghana, Betdaq’s 19/20 favourites, can capitalise in a clash that Paddy Power price at 5/4 to buck the trend of low-scoring encounters by producing more than 2.5 goals. Black Stars striker Asamoah Gyan is a massive 21/10 (bet365) to bag one of those.
Having both lost their Group E openers, Cameroon (15/8, Victor Chandler) and Denmark (11/8, Betfred) will have to go for it as they collide in Pretoria with the loser almost certain to exit the tournament. This make for an intriguing but tough-to-call fixture and one that could well finish all-square (9/4, 888Sport). Totesport cater for those in agreement, marking 11/2 against a 1-1 scoreline but with the pair more willing to attack, a goal tally of three or more is a distinct possibility at 11/8 (Jaxx.com) and the brave might be rewarded for keeping stakes low and speculating on a 2-2 stalemate at a tasty 18/1 with 888Sport.
Compare all World Cup odds for day 9 and bet at the best prices.
Recommended Bets:
Holland to win ‘to nil’ against Japan – 11/8 (Partybets)
Asamoah Gyan to score for Ghana against Australia – 21/10 (bet365)
Cameroon v Denmark to finish 2-2 – 18/1 (888Sport)
