Holland will want to secure top spot in Group E with three points against
Cameroon and surely they are overpriced to get the better of the Africans.
The Dutch hardly got out of second gear in recording two comfortable wins,
both without conceding, firstly against Denmark and then versus Japan, and a
Cameroon side with nothing but pride to play for, having already been beaten
twice in South Africa, should offer little resistance.
Holland, now considered very much outright contenders, face a likely second
round clash with Italy but the 1988 European Championship winners should fear
nobody and even their second string should be good enough to round off the group
stages with a win.
It is perhaps ominous for the rest that Robin van Persie has yet to find his
stride at the finals, Arjen Robben has yet to feature due to injury, and I'm in
no doubt that Bert van Marwijk's team have plenty more to offer.
The Dutch were passed over as possible World Cup winners by many
pre-tournament due to their supposed fragile defence but the truth is that no
opponent has yet seen enough of the ball to cause them any problems at the back
and Holland have two excellent defensive midfielders to take care of maters
also.
Nigel de Jong and Mark van Bommel offer superb protection from the middle of
the park and, with Wesley Sneijder recapturing his very best Inter Milan form in
the win over Japan, things are looking bright for the fourth favourites.
Cameroon can consider themselves unlucky to know they are already doomed in
South Africa 2010, they have no points to their name, but they simply haven't
been good enough and an early strike for the Dutch will surely see their heads
drop once more.
Samuel Eto'o remains the shinning light for the team that surprised all at
Italia '90 all those years ago but he cannot do it all on his own and retaining
the ball when in possession has been a problem for Cameroon, and all the African
nations at the finals.
With qualification already guaranteed, the worry is that Holland will take it
easy but the 4/5 with Blue Square and Ladbrokes will more than do for me and it
could look very large come full-time.
We saw when Argentina battered Greece that keeping momentum at the finals is
imperative to success and Holland should be expected to perform no differently
to Maradona's men.
2pts Back Holland (vs. Cameroon) @ 4/5 (Ladbrokes,
Blue Square)
