Netherlands – Argentina, World Cup Prediction

🟢 Argentina are impressive in some aspects, but not so great in others

Argentina beat Australia relatively easily, albeit by 2-1. In the end the Aussies sweated the Gauchos after not having a shot on target before the goal, and on the goal itself there was a ricochet, but subsequently on 1 or 2 occasions they were so close to equalising. Argentina’s rallies were impressive to say the least. However, it seems like this team relies too much on Messi still. Also, those easy misses by other players like Martinez, for example, could play them a bad joke against rivals like the Dutch.

🆙 The Netherlands are striding forward with their distinctly dull but effective style of play

The Tulips were uncompromising against the USA. Most of their goals came directly from their strongest points in attack. Pretty tidy and clear style of play. Louis van Gaal wants to win the World Cup and nothing else matters to him. The truth is that despite some fluctuations in the groups, and I am referring most of all to the 2nd half against Ecuador, the Dutch are showing great defensive play.

⏩ I give a little advantage to the coolness of the tulips

With Argentina the expectations are ridiculously huge. The whole nation is on thorns. It’s like the whole team is up against the wall to win this cup because of Messi, too. In the decisive matches, this over-emotion might play them a bad joke. It’s clear why Argentina are favourites in this match, but I think the odds are all 50:50 here and that’s why I’m backing the Netherlands because I see value. I’m confident van Gaal knows how to handle Argentina’s strong weapons at least in regular time. Prediction Netherlands +0.5 AH at 1.68.