After the drama of Sunday’s games at the World Cup, Monday could be a more prosaic affair with Holland and Brazil both short-priced favourites to book a quarter-final date next weekend.
Holland sailed through their group without being particularly impressive but there’s no doubt that a section including Japan, Denmark and Cameroon was much stronger than, say, those facing Italy or England in this tournament.
All things being equal, then, the Dutch must be considered genuine contenders to go all the way so they shouldn’t be too concerned about Slovakia, irrespective of the Slovaks’ defeat of Italy last week.
We believe Holland will win this one with a bit to spare and we’re going to stick our necks on the line and go for KLAAS-JAN HUNTELAAR TO SCORE THE LAST GOAL at 5/1.
Huntelaar is not likely to start the game but he came off the bench to score against Cameroon the other night and is one of the most complete finishers in the game – it’s just his bad luck that a fit Robin van Persie is a more explosive all-round centre forward. If he does get a run, it would be no surprise to see him on the scoresheet again, so it makes sense to back him in the last goalscorer market.
In racing, after the quality of the Irish Derby on Sunday it’s back to the more mundane fare of a Monday afternoon all-weather card at Wolverhampton.
The one that catches our eye is ORPENINDEED in the seven furlong claiming event at 4.00.
Trainer Marco Botti looks to have found a decent opportunity here. Dropped into claiming company, the seven-year-old gelding has been competing at a higher level than any of his rivals today and he should be able to get off the mark for the season.
JOE’s Daily Double: Klaas-Jan Huntelaar to score the last goal (Holland v Slovakia @ 5/1) & Orpenindeed (Wolverhampton, 4.00 @ 11/8)
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