World Cup 2014 Team Guide: Netherlands

Robin van Persie was the top scorer in European qualifying

The 2010 runners-up are a distant joint-11th in the World Cup winner betting this year at 38.037/1. Michael Lintorn ponders whether the pessimism is justified...

Road to Brazil

The Netherlands are to qualifying processes what altar regular and World Cup 2014 theme song singer Jennifer Lopez (see there is a vague topical link) is to wedding planners: ambitious, prolific and a constant source of joy. They have bossed their last three, winning 26 out of 28 games.

Their road to Brazil was paved with nine victories, a draw and 34 goals in ten fixtures. Those figures made them Europe's most successful qualifiers in terms of results and second-highest scorers after Germany.

They netted two or more in every encounter, and four or more in four, while their sole stutter was a 2-2 away draw with Estonia once it was already obvious that they were heading through. Admittedly, their Group D rivals weren't too fierce: Romania, Hungary, Turkey, Estonia and Andorra.

The Manager

In the unlikely event that you weren't familiar with Louis van Gaal before, you certainly will be now given the media coverage devoted to the news that he will coach Man United next season, 13 years on from first being discussed as a successor to Sir Alex Ferguson when he nearly retired in 2001/02.

Everything about the 62-year-old screams box office: he demands attractive football, loves sculpting new stars, argues with the media, is immensely quotable and quarrel-prone too. Most importantly, he is a winner, earning league titles for all four of his clubs, and a Champions League too at Ajax.

For all his club joy, van Gaal had a point to prove when appointed Dutch boss in 2012, having spent over a year out of work following a bitter departure from Bayern Munich, and endured arguably his worst moment in management in his first Oranje stint, failing to qualify for World Cup 2002.

Key men

The most valid voice in answering this question is the coach's, and van Gaal often stated in qualifying that his three untouchables were Kevin Strootman, Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie.

Strootman will miss the tournament through injury and, though the least high-profile of the trio, the Roma midfielder was perhaps the most integral due to the lack of top-quality alternatives. His absence has been so problematic as to prompt van Gaal to trial an out-of-character 5-3-2 formation.

It is therefore difficult to avoid the conclusion that van Persie inherits main-man billing, a precarious situation given that he started just 14 of Man United's final 43 matches in 2013/14. However, the striker delivers consistently when he is fit, leading European qualifying with 11 goals.

Talking Point

Are the Netherlands being hugely underestimated at 38.037/1, having reached the final four years ago when similarly overlooked by many?

Or, is the price right - they blew their opening in 2010 when Brazil and Argentina were weaker, the likes of Wesley Sneijder, Nigel de Jong and Dirk Kuyt have deteriorated since, and van Gaal's emerging talents like Bruno Martins Indi, Jordy Clasie and Memphis Depay aren't quite ready yet?

Another intriguing subplot is determining the ideal outcome for Man United. The earlier the Netherlands exit, the more time van Gaal will have to get to work at Old Trafford, but if it is too soon, it will instantly create a bad impression.

Best Bet

Netherlands to qualify from Group B @ 1.684/6 - They are right to be wary of tangling with Spain, Chile and Australia, primarily because Chile have been very impressive over the past 12 months, yet the prospect of group-stage elimination has been overhyped as a consequence.

The Oranje have an exceptional record for going deep into the competition, progressing to three finals and a semi-final in seven participations since World War Two and always clearing their group. Five points - obtainable via draws with Spain and Chile and a triumph over Australia - should do.

Value Bet

Netherlands to beat Spain (draw no bet) @ 3.412/5 - They resisted Spain for 115 minutes when the world champions were at their peak in South Africa and are undefeated against them in regulation time across their last five collisions.

Spain aren't the sharpest starters, even in their modern domination mode, losing to Switzerland in their World Cup 2010 opener and being outplayed and held by Italy in their Euro 2012 curtain-raiser, so meeting on day two of the tournament could assist the Netherlands.

Did You Know?

Only Germany (16) scored more goals than the Netherlands (12) during World Cup 2010.