Internationals: Netherlands to emulate U21 colleagues

With various internationals taking place this week, Christian Crowther previews three of them and offers a few choice tips...

South Korea v Uzbekistan, Tuesday 12:00, British Eurosport 2, Match Odds: South Korea 1.59, Uzbekistan 7.6, The Draw 4.0

The AFC section of qualifying for World Cup 2014 is really coming to the boil with two fiercely competitive groups delicately poised heading into the last few games and only Japan assured of a place in Brazil. This particular contest sees the teams locked on 11 points apiece at the summit of Group A collide, meaning the winner will go a long way to ensuring their automatic qualification, while Iran - just a point worse off - are poised to capitalise on any slip-ups. The closeness of these AFC rivals is highlighted by their inseparability in their last meeting, which finished 2-2 in Uzbekistan last September. Given the Uzbek's enviable record of two wins and a draw on the road so far in Group A, conceding just once, they have a great chance of getting another result in Korea.
Recommended Bet: Lay South Korea @ 1.6

China v Netherlands, Tuesday 13:00, ESPN, Match Odds: China 12.5, Netherlands 1.34, The Draw 5.3
Judging by a 2-1 defeat to the aforementioned Uzbekistan team last week in another friendly on home soil, it is understandable why China are no longer in contention to make it to Brazil. An 8-0 thrashing at the hands of the Samba Boys last September only serves to highlight the dearth of footballing talent this most-populous of all nations is producing. Meanwhile, spurred on by the heroics of their U21 colleagues, who are currently lighting up the European Championship, the senior Netherlands side will surely have far too much quality for China. Fresh from inflicting a 3-0 defeat on Indonesia in Jakarta just days earlier on this Asia tour - and having only conceded three goals in their last nine matches - the Dutch should stroll this one. Notably, nine of the Oranje's last ten goals have arrived in the second 45 of games, with the prolific Dutch scoring all of those across just three outings.
Best Bet: Back the second half to contain more goals @ 2.1
Other Recommended Bet: Back Over 3.5 goals @ 2.66

Spain v Republic of Ireland, Wednesday 01:00, Premier Sports, Match Odds: Spain 1.29, Republic of Ireland 12.0, The Draw 5.7
Having kept up the heat on Austria in their qualifying group thanks to a Robbie Keane hat-trick against the Faroe Islands, the Republic of Ireland now face Spain in New York for this exhibition friendly. With this being Giovanni Trapattoni's side's fourth match since the end of the English domestic season - where the majority of the Republic's players ply their trade - there are sure to be a few tired legs in the Yankee Stadium. That's exactly what you don't need against a team of Spain's ilk, who move the ball better than any side on the international scene, having won the last three major honours available by employing their Barcelona-style football. The Euro 2012 encounter produced a 4-0 win for the Spaniards and it's difficult to envisage the fatigued Irish getting anything this time.
Recommended Bet: Back Spain to win to nil @ 2.2

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