World Cup Free Bets
| To Win Group E | |||
| Best Odds | Bookmaker | Free Bets | |
| Holland | 4/7 | £25 | |
| Denmark | 9/2 |  |
£200 |
| Cameroon | 5/1 | |
£200 |
| Japan | 14/1 | |
£200 |
Group E betting preview
As with many groups, there’s a strong favourite to top this section, although the Dutch are one of the few teams that look a value bet to win their group. Indeed, it pays not only to look at the strength of a jolly on these sort of markets, but also the potential weakness of the other three teams involved. That’s why the Netherlands simply have to be taken at 8/13 (Paddy Power) to win Group E and play the runner-up of a weak-looking Group F in the last sixteen.
There is so much to like about Bert van Marwijk’s team, who recently thrashed Ghana 4-1 in a friendly, despite Arjen Robben sitting out the match with a slight strain. With Robin Van Persie, Dirk Kuyt and Wesley Sneijder all possessing stacks of quality, they are surely nailed-on (1/6 Boylesports) to qualify from Group E and it’s worth considering the 7/2 (bet365) that Holland finish up with a maximum haul of nine points.
Not that we should completely write off the chances of Denmark, who managed to finish above Portugal and Sweden to make it to the 2010 World Cup. Ladbrokes offer 9/2 that it’s the Danes who prove themselves great enough to top the section and the fact that they play the Dutch in the opener could be a good thing. Nicklas Bendtner will lead the line for Morten Olsen’s team who are even money (William Hill) to qualify for the business end of the tournament, although improvement is needed after a recent 1-0 defeat to Australia in a friendly.
Cameroon are vying with Denmark for second favouritism and much might come down to their match that’s being played on 19th June. A recent 3-1 defeat to Portugal does not inspire a huge amount of confidence and star player Samuel Eto’o has been threatening to walk away from the squad after criticism from Roger Milla. Nevertheless, if you fancy the Indomitable Lions to resurrect the spirit of 1990, they are 21/20 (Stan James) to finish in the top two and 5/1 (Sky Bet) to top the section.
Japan are the 12/1 (Sporting Bet) outsiders to win Group E, although they recently demonstrated against England that they will be tough opponents when the action gets under way. Indeed, they were value for their 1-0 half-time lead against the Three Lions in Graz and were only undone by a couple of own goals. If the Samurai Kings can beat Cameroon in the opening match, perhaps the odds of 3/1 (Sky Bet) that they qualify are worth taking, with potentially a draw against Denmark likely to be enough to book their passage.
Nevertheless, you might not get a more straightforward forecast bet than Holland – Denmark at odds of 3/1 (Ladbrokes). The Dutch really are head and shoulders above every other team in this group and Holland – Japan could be worth a saver at 8/1 (bet365). With Eto’o looking disinterested, Victor Chandler’s 10/3 that they finish bottom could be a price worth taking.