FIFA World Cup Tips: SERBIA V HOLLAND FIXED ODDS BETTING PREVIEW

When youth and inexperience face organisation and discipline there is only one winner and Marco Van Basten’s young Dutch side are going to find out exactly why this years dark horses, Serbia and Montenegro, are a team to fear in this year’s competition.

Both teams qualified impressively from their respective groups, with solid defensive performances and neither side losing a game throughout to see them qualify as group winners. The Dutch won ten of their twelve qualifying games only conceeding three goals and averaging over two goals per game.

In midfield they offer a work rate that is second to none. They are technically sound but the secret is how well disciplined they are in carrying out their managers instructions. Up top they have the imposing frame of Nikola Zigic who is likely to be partnered by ex-Chelsea star Kezman. This big man/small man combination works beautifully well and Kezman netted 5 goals in his seven appearances during qualification.

Holland have a few injury scares after a couple of bruising friendlies this past week including two key experienced players such as Cocu and Gio Van Bronhorst as well as major doubts over Wesley Sneijder and Rafael Van Der Vaart who may not even make it to Germany now.

This would mean the likely inclusion of more youngsters for ‘The Oranje’ and at this late stage preparations are hardly ideal. The emphasis will therefore lie on big performances from likely match winners Robben and Van Nistelrooy who will form part of a three-man front line that Van Basten likes to use.

The Dutch may have the more gifted players on display but I believe they will get out worked and out fought. The Serbs' tactics will be spot on to not only contain the Dutch but actually beat them as their coach Petkovic is as wily a tactician as we’ll see in this World Cup and at 7/2 they are massive value to cause an upset at this early stage.