Euro 2012 Opta Stats: Netherlands to survive Germany

The Dutch hold the advantage in previous European Championship clashes, winning two (1988 and 1992), drawing one (2004) and losing one (1980)
Little has separated Germany and the Netherlands over the last four years as they have emerged as Spain's main opposition, but since a surprisingly heavy 3-0 win for Germany in a Hamburg friendly between the enemies in Hamburg last November, a gulf is seen to have emerged. Bert van Marwijk's side's cutting edge-shy performance against Denmark didn't defy that perception, yet a three-match unbeaten run in this competition against the Group B favourites shows that they are capable of obtaining a victory that may prove a necessity.

All seven clashes between the sides in major competitions have seen both sides score
After all the build-up about how Group B was poised to be the most entertaining and enthusiastically contested group, it was the least goal-littered in the opening round of fixtures, providing two to the five or more of every other quartet. This collision almost always delivers the expected excitement though, their five showdowns this century averaging 3.2 goals, with just the one clean sheet in sight.

This clash brings the best two goalscorers from the qualifying round up against each other - Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (of German side Schalke) scored 12 goals for the Dutch, Germany's Miroslav Klose bagged nine - however, both strikers only came off the bench in their country's first game
Klose appears likely to miss out again after Mario Gomez grabbed Germany's winner in their opener against Portugal, but the Netherlands' toothless display against Denmark presents a strong case for Huntelaar to return to the team, particularly following a season spent terrifying German defenders as the Bundesliga's top scorer. Those 12 qualifying strikes were racked up in only eight appearances, for an average of 1.5 goals per competitive start since the World Cup.

Recommended Bets:
Back Netherlands to win @ 3.1511/5
Back both teams to score @ 1.784/5
Back Huntelaar to score @ 3.929/10

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