PREVIEW: Brazil v Netherlands

[dropcap]Y[/dropcap]ou can’t help but think that the Brazil football squad would rather be anywhere but Brazil at the moment.

Certainly not playing another match in front of their broken hearted home fans for the dubious honour of ‘bronze’ in the 3rd place play off.

It’s a guessing game to imagine where they are both physically and more importantly mentally after their 7-1 slaughter at the hands of Germany.

There’s almost certainly a lengthy rebuilding programme ahead of them but whether they can find enough for one last effort to save pride this evening is the dilemma posed for punters.

On the plus side, they’ve had a an extra day to recover over the Netherlands who had an exhausting game against Argentina and the penalty shoot out which went against them.

Brazil also welcome back captain Thiago Silva to their defence after he missed the semi-final through suspension.

Dutch coach Louis van Gaal believes the fixture is an irrelevance.

“There is only one award that counts and that is becoming world champions. The worst thing is that there is a chance you are going to lose twice in a row, and in a tournament in which you have played so marvellously well you go home as a loser.”

Historically there’s never been too much between these two sides:

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD
(Max last 10 only)
Jun 2011 International Brazil 0-0 Holland
Jul 2010 World Cup Holland 2-1 Brazil
Oct 1999 International Holland 2-2 Brazil
Jun 1999 International Brazil 3-1 Holland
Jun 1999 International Brazil 2-2 Holland
Jul 1998 World Cup Brazil 1-1 Holland
Aug 1996 International Holland 2-2 Brazil
Jul 1994 World Cup Holland 2-3 Brazil
Jul 1974 World Cup Holland 2-0 Brazil

The penultimate game of the 2014 World Cup is being staged at the Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha and is live on ITV at 9pm.

Not sure there will be too many goals in this one and as far as a bet I’m sticking with a DRAW with Star Sports at around 13/5.

RECOMMENDED BET (scale of 1-50 points)

BACK DRAW for 6 points at around 13/5 with Star Sports

WORLD CUP RETURNS SO FAR: PROFIT 27.51 POINTS

What’s your view? CALL STAR SPORTS 08000 521 321