World Cup Odds: Spain -120, Netherlands +270, Draw +230
Why Spain Can Win
You know Spain is good when their biggest weakness is that their players have played a lot over the last four years. The Barcelona-powered midfield of Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas and Sergio Busquets is the engine of the team, with Xabi Alonso alongside him; the likes of Juan Mata and David Silva could start for any other country, but will be on the bench for Spain. Diego Costa is now healthy up front, which means Fernando Torres could lose his spot, but his experience will be good to have coming off the bench. Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique have more than enough experience to marshal the defense, and then you have Iker Casillas and his 153 caps (the most in Spain’s history) in goal.
Spain has five players in the side with 100 caps or more, while Iniesta and David Villa have 95 and Fabregas is at 88. This is a team that knows each other and they know what manager Vicente del Bosque expects.
Why The Netherlands Can Win
The Netherlands have a couple of players, in Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben, who can create a piece of magic out of nowhere and you need players like that against Spain. Robben has one move: go down the left wing on his left foot, cut inside and shoot/pass, and yet no one can seem to stop it. Van Persie had an injury-plagued season at Manchester United and will be out to impress his new club manager, Louis van Gaal, who will join van Persie in England when this tournament is over. But before he leaves, van Gaal will get this team to attack and not sit back like they did in the 2010 final. For better or worse, van Gaal is arrogant enough to think this team can play with Spain. Also, keep an eye on 22-year-old Jordy Clasie; his energy will be crucial in the middle of the pitch.
There are a world of questions on the back end of this team, but with players like van Persie and Robben (and possibly Wesley Sneijder, Holland’s star in 2010), all Holland needs is some self-belief and a chance.
Outlook
These two have played 10 times with Spain winning five and drawing one, and they are the deserved favorites in this game. They should be able to win because Holland will open up unlike 2010 and while that will make the game more entertaining, it will be dangerous for the Netherlands as Spain will figure out where the holes are. They always do. Spain gets their quest for a third consecutive win at a major tournament with a victory in Group B.
Pick: Spain
