With a 100% win record in qualifying and a settled squad hungry for success, Holland are amongst the best of the group outside Brazil or Spain to secure a first-ever World Cup success next summer. Rated at 14-1 by five bookmakers including Bet365, Boylesports and Paddy Power, they are also noted at the same odds to be runners-up (Boylesports) - as they were in 1974 and 1978. Sky Bet and Bet Fred are also offering 6-1 on a final appearance, with the former and Tote Sport noting Holland to be the top-performing European team at 7-1.
Finals performances since 1990 have seen the last 16 reached in that year and 2006 (11-4 Tote Sport to be eliminated at that stage - they are likely to meet the runners-up from Italy's group should the seedings work out); they reached the quarter-finals in 1994 (5-2 Sky Bet); and fourth back at France '98 (to be eliminated at the semi-final stage they are 5-1 with Tote Sport). In terms of last eight opposition, Brazil or Spain could be waiting, and on current form by the favourites, that could prove a bridge too far.
Since the group format was introduced in the first round at the finals, the Dutch have never failed to go beyond that phase - and in a group that includes Denmark, Japan and Cameroon, it will be a big surprise if they fail this time. The shock exit is available at 7-2 with Tote Sport.
Unlikely doubles bets based on Holland winning the tournament include Dirk Kuyt (250-1) - in fairness, likely to be in a more direct role for his country than at Liverpool -
Klass-Jan Huntelaar (300-1) or Arjen Robben (400-1 - and he may well miss out due to injury) to be top scorer - all odds available with Sky Bet.
Although Holland's World Cup finals record is less impressive than some of the other major footballing nations, the country's football pedigree and consistent results in recent years should also be considered in their achievements in reaching at least the last eight of the last five European Championship tournaments.
Should you fancy the Dutch to go all the way, potential opponents' odds include 16-1 Spain (Sky Bet and Tote Sport), 30-1 Brazil (Sky Bet), 33s England (Sky Bet and Tote Sport) or Argentina (Tote Sport), 35-1 Italy (Sky Bet), Germany at 40s (Sky Bet and Tote Sport), France 66-1 (Sky Bet and Tote Sport) and Portugal 80-1 (Tote Sport).
The latter country, along with fellow Group G opposition the Ivory Coast, have been rated as an outside chance for success in South Africa (28-1 Tote Sport, William Hill and Expekt.com). Despite a stuttering qualifying campaign that saw them edge past Bosnia and Herzegovina in a play-off, Portugal still possess a player in Cristiano Ronaldo capable of inspiring the whole side.
William Hill are offering odds of 6-1 that he will score five or more goals during the tournament. Should he be fit and in-form, the Real Madrid man is capable of getting them in the three group games against Brazil, Ivory Coast and North Korea - even if his country fails to get through what is one of the toughest groups in South Africa. Alternatively the same firm are offering 2-1 that he fails to score - a possibility should injury problems he has suffered this season re-occur. One or two goals is favoured at 13-8, with three or four an 11-4 shot.
Portugal have reached only three previous finals: They finished third in 1966 and fourth last time out in Germany, outcomes which this time are available at 12-1 Sky Bet and Tote Sport (Portugal to be eliminated in the semi-finals). They bowed out in the group phase in 2002, and are 6-4 to do so this time with Paddy Power. In their group, they are likely to be fighting it out with Ivory Coast for a place in the last 16. Spain could be waiting in round two, and elimination then is 11-4, again with Paddy Power.
A quarter-final berth (9-2 Sky Bet, Tote Sport and Boylesports) and runners-up (25-1 Boylesports) are also offered. The three most likely potential final opponents with bookmakers should Portugal go through to the July 11 showpiece are Brazil (40-1 Tote Sport), Spain (50-1 Sky Bet and Tote Sport) and England (50-1 Tote Sport).
Recommendations
Holland to be eliminated at the quarter-final stage 5-2 Sky Bet
Cristiano Ronaldo to score 3 or 4 goals at the World Cup 11-4 William Hill
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