Italy were lefty stunned when defeat to Slovakia saw them exit the World Cup at the group stage but their opponents last Thursday should not be underestimated and they take on Holland on Monday.
Italy’s shock defeat would have pleased Holland, the two heavyweights were set to meet in the last 16, but beating Slovakia will be no easy task and it should be a competitive 90 minutes.
Holland breezed through Group E with ease, beating Cameroon, Denmark and Japan comfortably, but they certainly have more to offer in these finals and I expect to see it here.
Whether or not the 1988 European Champions have what it takes to raise their game to the required level to lift the trophy now that we have reached the knockout stage remains to be seen but they are quite rightly short priced favourites to oblige against Slovakia and a place in the quarterfinals awaits.
No bigger than 4/9 chances to win inside 90 minutes, triumph for Holland would set up a likely last eight clash with Brazil and that would certainly be a match to savour.
It should be no surprise that Slovakia managed to qualify from a tough looking Group F, having qualified so impressively, but they were held by New Zealand before being beaten by Paraguay and I’m not sure they’ll cope with Holland’s undoubted class.
Bert van Marwijk, the Dtuch manager, looks set to leave Arjen Robben on the bench once more, as the winger continues his recovery from injury, but Holland have plenty of talent elsewhere and Robin van Persie will have done his confidence no harm with the opening goal versus Cameroon last time out.
Slovakia took advantage of some uncharacteristic Italian errors in their 3-2 triumph over the Azzurri but Holland are unlikely to be as generous and a comfortably win looks on the cards.
I think Holland are more than capable of winning this by at least two clear goals and the value to be had is in siding with them to win by such a margin.
Ladbrokes are a standout 5/6 about the fourth favourites giving up a goal and that looks plenty big enough to me.
2pts Back Holland (-1.0, vs. Slovakia) @ 5/6 Ladbrokes