Will England Smoke Holland?
England games against Holland always prompt a bitter-sweet trip down memory lane for Three Lions supporters and spread punters. There was the misery of elimination at Euro '88 to the eventual winners - courtesy of a majestic Marco van Basten hat trick - and despair in October 1993 when a lucky-to-still-be-on-the-field Ronald Koeman put paid to England's chances of World Cup qualification for USA '94. But then there are the glorious reminisces of a beautiful June afternoon at Euro '96 when Alan Shearer and Teddy Sheringham gorged on goals.
While the Netherlands have remained unbeaten in the fixture ever-since the tubthumping 4-1 Wembley humiliation, buyers of England's win index spread will notice that they just nudge it in the overall history of the contest, with a total of five wins compared to the Oranje's four. Sporting Index bettors will also be aware that there have been eight draws between the European rivals, including the last three games which ended in deadlock. Sellers of Holland's win index will know that they have never beaten England on home soil in a friendly match - their sole victory in their own country came on that fateful night in Rotterdam. The latest encounter, scheduled for Wednesday 12th August, sees both teams sitting atop of their respective qualifying groups with 21 points and immaculate records intact. It is likely that this more recent form will have a greater bearing on spread betting decisions. Under the guidance of Bert van Marwijk the Dutch have won eight, lost one and drawn two in all competitions, giving an impressive win percentage of 73. However, his opposite number can trump that having won 81 percent of his games in charge. Along with the 12 victories from 15 games, Fabio Capello has overseen a draw and two defeats - which came, as sellers of the team's win index spread will see, both in away friendlies.
The early season internationals are viewed with contempt by club managers as training regimes are disrupted and their prized assets and expensive recruits exposed to potential injury. However, the August friendly has regularly provided spread bettors with goals and entertainment, in spite of - or more likely because of - the games being used as an opportunity for experimentation. A staple in the FA's calendar since a one-all draw with France - World and European Cup holders of the day - in 2000, the nine corresponding games seen since have averaged 3.2 goals, a fact that will not have escaped the notice of spread buyers of the game's total goals.
While he may no longer be the player of old, Michael Owen appears to have been given a fillip by Fergie, which he hopes will help him find favour with Fabio. Should the Italian manager comb through the statistics book he will notice that, since the aforementioned game at the Stade de France at the turn of the millennium, Owen is England's joint-top scorer in the early season friendly. Joining him on a total of three is Chelsea ace Frank Lampard, and both men's player performance spread may prove attractive, if they make the flight to Amsterdam.
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