WORLD CUP winners France travel to the Netherlands on Friday night in the Nations League. Ross Casey (@RossCasey24) highlights the best betting angle.
Netherlands v France | Friday 16th November 2018, 19:45 | Sky Sports
If France avoid defeat in this Nations League match they are certain to top the group and reach the semi-finals next June – but can they against the improving home side?
The French began life as world champions with a goalless draw away in Germany, and whilst that seemed a decent enough score at the time, they have gone on to pick up just two wins in their four games post World Cup, and both victories have only been by the single goal.
Interestingly, each of their last two fixtures in the Netherlands has seen them win by the single goal margin too. If you fancy that to happen again here, you can get France to win by one goal in the Winning Margin market at 31/10 with Marathon.
Netherlands
The last four years has seen nothing but doom and gloom for the Dutch, having failed to qualify for the last two major tournaments.
The retirements and natural ageing of some key players has meant a heavy transition period for Holland, who enjoyed such a terrific 2014 World Cup.
Ronald Koeman is currently in charge and has been doing a fine job. In the seven matches he has been in charge of since his appointment, he has lost just once and that was an away defeat to France in this same competition.
Netherlands beat Germany 3-0 last time out and in fact, he has won both of his home matches so far and oversaw a 3-0 win over Portugal on neutral ground also.
For me, the fact that they have lost just one in seven – and that was by a single goal – points me towards the Draw No Bet market where the Netherlands are available at 67/50 with Marathon.
The betting angle
France are odds-against here and it is very rare to see the world champions available at 11/8, but I have reservations about backing them to win this one.
The sides met in France in September and it was only a late Olivier Giroud goal that was the difference then, and with home advantage this time, and France winning just two of their last four fixtures, I will go with the Dutch in DNB market and have the blanket of money back if this game ends in a draw.
Best Bets
France v Netherlands – Netherlands draw no bet (67/50 Marathon)
