It happens just once every four years, and after a month of betting action at the biggest international soccer tournament there is, South Africa 2010 is ready to crown it’s World Cup champion this Sunday in Johannesburg. Euro Cup 2008 champions Spain will look to make it two major accomplishments in two years by taking down the offensive juggernaut Netherlands. Neither the Dutch nor the Spaniards have ever came out on top on soccer’s grandest stage, meaning that this year’s winner will have their crest crowned with a golden star for the very first time. The Netherlands are the only team in this tournament that has not lost, a streak that Spain will need to end to prove they are the best not only in Europe, but in the entire world.
Spain
Before NCAA football betting futures, an opening 1-0 loss to Switzerland in the opening round is now a distant memory for the raging fans in Madrid. Spain has not lost or drawn since, with five straight wins including the last three in the elimination stages, where the pressure is undoubtedly the strongest. What is even more impressive than the fact that Captain Carlos Puyol’s side has beaten Portugal, Paraguay, and Germany to get Soccer City Stadium is that they have not allowed even a single goal through those three matches. In the same manner as champions of past tournaments, Spain has gotten better with every sports betting contest, and should that trend continue, the last stop is hoisting the World Cup for the first time.
Netherlands
A 5-2 goal margin in a clean sweep over Japan, Denmark, and Cameroon in the group stage was simply a warning of things to come for opponents facing the Netherlands in 2010. Though their only win by more than one goal came against Denmark 2-0, the Dutch had little trouble knocking off both Slovakia and Uruguay as book ends to their upset 2-1 win over Brazil in the quarterfinals. The Netherlands can score from nearly anywhere, but that was something the world already knew. The question remains, are they strong enough to stop Spain?
Matchup
While the Netherlands have been absolutely dominant offensively in this soccer betting tournament, so were the Germans before running in to the Spanish wall. Puyol’s side is not only deep up front with one of the top attacks in the tournament, they also have one of the most solid back ends with a world-class goalkeeper in Iker Casillas. Germany had scored eight goals combined in two elimination round matches against England and Argentina, but couldn’t even get on the score sheet against Spain. Whether the Netherlands can succeed where the Germans failed is yet to be seen, but it cannot be overstated how strong Spain has been in their three elimination round matches.
World Cup Betting Pick: Spain
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