Netherlands are strong favourites to see off Austria at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Thursday – but as we know all too well, football isn’t played on paper and without doing the business on the pitch the rest is just heresay.
Netherlands
Even almost a week into the Euro there are still mutterings about Virgil Van Dyk. His absence is certainly felt but without him in the side, the Dutch don’t fall to pieces. They have an incredibly talented squad and in Memphis Depay and Frenkie de Jong, they have two youngsters with world football at their feet.
Manager Frank de Boer hasn’t exactly shot the lights out after his glory days way back when at Ajax Amsterdam, but the Dutch tactiian will relish the oppurtunity to get his nation to a place where they could, at the very least, start to once again resemble their days of former glory.
With De Vrij and De Ligt likely to partner in defence, I think this Dutch side is certainly not going to be a side simply rolled over but even though the betting boards and social media will likely disagree – I don’t think they have a good summer…
Austria
I really like the look of this Austrian side in the Euro! Yes, it’s the first time in their history that they have managed back-to-back appearnaces at a major international tournament, and they come into the Euro with a reaosnbly inexperinced manager…but in their simplicity they coninually speak to their own strenghts whilst masking their weak points.
Franco Foda favours a double six in midfield shielding his centre backs, and yet allows his midfield to be direct and intentional in their pursuit to play through the lines and try to pick out big man Marko Arnautovic.
David Alaba will play with evertything he has before giving an inch for his country. Daniel Bachmann can be a sure bet to have a lapse in concentration but has also proved his mettle for Watford after Ben Foster was injured.
Austria have a side which looks up for a fight and will be happy to create a scrappy affair agaisnt so-called ‘neat’ opposition. If there was a bet on the hardest working side in Group C – Austrai is a banker all day.
Prediction: Austria/Draw Double Chance (11/10)
There is excellent value about Austria, for the brave punter, 44/10 makes plenty of appeal for the Austrian win. However, if you are looking to create a sneaky little midweek multiple – the Win/Draw Double Chance is good enough.
