21st Jun 2014 | World Cup
Netherlands v Chile Tip
Whoever wins this clash of the entertainers will probably avoid Brazil in round two so there is no lack of incentive despite progress being assured for both.
With the wheat already separated from the chaff in Group B, you might mistakingly think that the Netherlands and Chile will take a bit of a breather when they clash in Sao Paulo on Monday. But nothing could be further from the truth with Brazil almost certainly awaiting the losers in round two.
Van Persie will be missing from Oranje, but that is only because he is suspended after collecting yellow cards against Spain and Australia. Expect the coaches to generally field something close to their best starting elevens.
So far the Netherlands’ first two matches have produced a total of 11 goals, marking them out as one of the tournament’s biggest entertainers. Chile join them in that category even if their two fixtures have only produced 6 goals.
Jorge Sampaoli has a reputation as an attacking coach who refuses to compromise his beliefs even if it sometimes leaves his side defensively vulnerable. The full-backs tend to bomb upfield which can leave gaps at the back; Arjen Robben will be licking his lips.
This has the potential to be one of the games of the tournament and rather than worry about picking a winner, let’s take the best price 2/1 (William Hill) on over 3.5 goals in the match, sit back and enjoy.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 15:53 21st Jun, 2014 but subject to change
