Against All Odds: Czech's to chirp against Robben-less Holland

It's going to be a tough start for Guus

The Euro 2016 qualifiers continue this evening and birthday boy Paul Robinson thinks the Dutch won't justify their odds-on quote away at the Czech Republic.

Czech Republic v Netherlands
Tuesday September 9, 19:45 BST
Live on ITV 4

The Czech Republic missed out on qualifying for the World Cup in the summer as they could only finish third behind Italy and Denmark. That failure prompted a change in manager and Pavel Vrba was hired after a successful five years at Viktoria Plze. 

Vrba hasn't started too well though as he's four games into the job and the side are still to record a victory. Draws with Norway and Finland have been followed up with losses at home to Austria and most recently, the USA.

Nevertheless, the Czech's still have some decent players in their squad and while they haven't been performing of late, they still retain plenty of ability and friendlies aren't always a reliable barometer. 

The Netherlands are another team under new management following the exit of Louis van Gaal. The Dutch have turned to former boss, Guus Hiddink, to lead them to the Euros in two years time but he will have to begin his campaign without the services of Ron Vlaar, Klaas Jan Huntelaar, and Arjen Robben.

The latter named is clearly the biggest miss as he was instrumental in his nations success in Brazil. They felt his loss in Italy on Thursday as they went down 2-0 and while they will point to the fact that they were forced to play 81 minutes with 10 men, they were already 1-0 down at the time.

I simply can't have the Dutch at odds-on away from home without Arjen Robben in the team. That's why, with their price trading at around the 1.9720/21 mark, I have to make them my lay of the day.

Recommended Bet
Lay Netherlands v Czech Republic @ 1.9720/21

2014 P/L (1pt each bet)

Wagered: 242 pts
Returned: 249.25 pts
P/L: + 7.25 pts (after commission)
(2013 P/L: + 3.80 pts)
(2012 P/L: + 9.60 pts)