Two of the favourites are revving up to crash upstarts’ parties
Published:Big match doubles
Holland to win and Brazil to draw – 9/2
This double is for the result after 90 minutes and could be worth picking up due to the Oranjes clinical streak and Chile’s never-give-up attitude.
Holland have a 100 per cent from the group stages and look to have the right mentality to continue that trend into this knock-out game.
Chile showed against Spain they have the ability to mix it with the best, even with a man down. Dunga’s men did win both the qualifying games between the countries convincingly, but Marcelo Bielsa’s side have demonstrated a resolve at this World Cup, while Brazil drew their last match to Portugal.
Top man doubles
Robben and Elano to both score – 8/1
Both Arjen Robben and Elano have experienced injury troubles at this World Cup but both will be fit for their countries’ last 16 ties and each looks primed to stamp their class on proceedings.
Robben is not expected to start Holland’s game against Slovakia but such was his impact against Cameroon – coming off the subs bench to crack a trademark long-range left-footer against the post – he looks likely to score even if given just 30 minutes on the pitch.
Elano meanwhile, should come back into the starting XI after an ankle knock and, with two goals in two games played so far at this World Cup, the ex-Manchester City player is in fine form.
Kuyt and Robinho to both score – 6/1
One of Brazil’s best players, Robinho has six in his last five against Chile, while Dirk Kuyt bagged against Denmark and is likely to play the full 90 minutes against a Slovakian defence breached five times in South Africa already.
Total goals scored
Over 4.5 – 4/5
With 27 goals in the 12 games featuring these four sides so far, a bet on over 4.5 total goals today looks promising.
Doing the maths reveals that an average of 2.25 goals per game has been scored in the teams’ matches, meaning spot on 4.5 goals for two games.
With the possibility of extra-time, with Brazil and Holland’s attacks now at full-strength, and with a quarter-final place on the line expect that number to shoot up.
How do you see today’s round-of-16 games going? Robert Vittek and Alexis Sanchez to both score is 16/1. See the full Daily Specials market.
