Argentina vs. Netherlands. Messi vs. Robben. What More Do You Want?
By Charles Jay
There should be a respectable amount of offensive firepower on display on Wednesday when the second of two semi-finals is played in the world’s biggest sporting event. Of course, that is a vast understatement we are making to World Cup betting fans, when you are talking about the presence of two of the most dynamic offensive players on the planet who will face off with a chance to move one step closer to immortality.
Argentina is one of the world’s powers, but has not won the tournament since 1986 and has not gotten past the quarter-finals since it made it to the title game in 1990. The Netherlands exploded through most of its World Cup action four years ago, then lost 1-0 in the championship game to Spain – a defeat it avenged with an exclamation point this time around in the group opener.
It’s Lionel Messi vs. Arjen Robben – and that’s just for starters – when the action gets underway at 4 PM ET at the Arena de Sao Paolo.
In the World Cup betting lines that have been established on this match by the people at Vietbet, the Argentinean team is a slight favorite:
The World Cup
Argentina vs. Netherlands (Semi-Finals)
Wednesday, July 9 — 4 PM ET
Arena de Sao Paolo
Argentina advances -140
Netherlands advances +125
(The following numbers involve 90 minutes and stoppage time only)
Betting Odds – Money Line:
Argentina +147
Netherlands +226
Draw +226
Total:
Over 2 Goals -109
Under 2 Goals -106
While the Brazilian team had to forge ahead without its biggest scoring threat, there are no such worries for Argentina, as they have been powered by Neymar’s Barcelona teammate, Lionel Messi, who is regarded by most as the world’s best player. He has contributed four goals to the cause, not to mention play-making abilities, as he has made 180 passes in five matches.
Those Vietbet customers who are not all that familiar with what Argentina has to offer need to know that even though they will have to go without Angel Di Maria, who has a thigh injury and has been declared out, they will be able to field one of the strongest front lines in the world anyway, as Sergio Aguero is back from his own thigh injury to join Gonzalo Higuain (who scored the inning goal against Belgium in the quarter-finals) and Messi. They will exert plenty of pressure, without question, but when they miss the Dutch have what it takes to fly down the field in a hurry.
Robben, who is currently priced at +2650 to win the Golden Boot (leading goal scorer) at Vietbet, has a chance to improve those odds, and he forms a vaunted one-two punch with Robin van Persie. Each of them has three goals. Forget about Batman and Robin; Argentina will have to worry about “Robben and Robin.”
One of the interesting angles here is how the officials are going to call this game. Robben has developed a reputation as someone who will do a little extra acting to draw a foul, and of course, there was all of that controversy in the Round of 16 against Mexico when Robben went down – questionably, in the opinion of many World Cup bettors – that drew a penalty kick that was converted in stoppage time for a win for Holland. Certainly Argentina’s coach, Alex Sabella, does not want to leave things in the hands of the officials, but this one could be closely contested all the way, especially if there is a sufficient amount of mutual respect for each other’s defensive abilities and this turns into a more careful contest. .
One of the amazing things about opening up an account at Vietbet is the fact that you can wager on the World Cup games while they are going on. You should check it out – go to the sportsbook and click on “LIve Betting Extra.” You’ve never experienced anything like it!
