The Netherlands
Although a well ranked team according to FIFA’s seeding system, the Netherlands have underperformed in their last outings at major tournaments, going out in the second round of both Euro 2008 (to Russia) and the last World Cup (to Portugal, who also knocked them out of Euro 2004 in the semi finals).
They did, however have an excellent run in qualification for World Cup 2010, keeping a 100% record and cementing their place as the first UEFA team to qualify. They currently share odds of 12-1 with holders Italy and with Germany.
With a team full of impressive players like van Persie, van Nistlerooy, Robben and Sneijder, the Dutch should make for some interesting football in South Africa.
Cameroon
Although they failed to qualify in 2006, Cameroon were in all of the preceding four World Cups (with their highest finishing position being 7th back at Italia ’90). They have a good record in the African Cup of Nations, which takes place every two years, having won in 2000 and 2002 and come second in 2008. This year, they didn’t make it past the quarter finals where they were beaten by eventual winners Egypt.
At 100-1 to win outright they are somewhere in the middle of the pack as far as bookmakers are concerned, but their FIFA ranking of 14th actually places them higher than any other African team.
Denmark
Denmark failed to qualify for both Euro 2008 and the 2006 World Cup in Germany, so were relieved to secure their place in South Africa.
After a strong qualification campaign which saw them top a group that also contained Portugal and Sweden, the team will be looking for their best result yet. During their last appearance in 2002, they were knocked out by England in the round of 16.
The Danish national side are split roughly 50/50 between players in their domestic league and those in other European teams, including from the English Premiership Liverpool’s Agger and Arsenal’s Bendtner.
Odds for Denmark to win are 150-1, putting them outside Cameroon in terms of bookmakers’ expectations. A good bet is for 3/4 (1.75) on Holland at Bet365 in the first game against the Danish.
Japan
Japan, 250-1 outsiders and ranked 40th in the world by FIFA, are actually one of the most successful Asian teams. Japan have qualified for all of the last four World Cups, with a top placing of 9th in 2002 when they were joint hosts with South Korea.
All of their players currently play within their domestic league, so the Japanese team could be a good place to look out for new talent.
Prediction
It is hard to see anyone other than Holland winning this group, however with the climate on their side, particularly against Northern European teams, there could be a chance for Cameroon here.
1. Holland
2. Cameroon
3. Denmark
4. Japan
