World Cup Odds: Uruguay vs Netherlands Semifinals Picks

The World Cup semifinals are set with Uruguay vs Netherlands playing on Tuesday at 2:30pm EST (20:30) and Spain vs Germany on Wednesday at 2:30pm EST (20:30). Uruguay has surprised everyone in World Cup odds by not only winning the Group A bracket over Mexico and France but La Celeste has not faced a team like Holland in the tournament as of yet. Online bookmakers have the Netherlands -150 betting favorites in soccer betting odds vs Uruguay +450 while a draw would return +255. The Oranje -1/2 goal (-150) are also favored in World Cup picks for point-spread odds vs Uruguay +1/2 goal (+130) with the over/under total sitting at 2 OVER -135.

Uruguay entered the finals in South Africa as 125-1 longshots in World Cup odds and then drew 0-0 with France, defeated South Africa 3-0, Mexico 1-0, Korea 2-1 and Ghana 4-2 in penalties to reach the 2010 World Cup semifinals. La Celeste was the last team to qualify for the finals in South Africa but are out to prove that even betting longshots can upset the odds. A major concern for Uruguay will be the knee injury Diego Lugano suffered during the Ghana match and Luis Suarez who will miss the semifinals due to suspension. The South American squad hoisted the trophy twice in finals history (1930, 1950) and will need to play above expectations once again if they are to do so again this year.

The Dutch stepped on the pitch in South Africa as 10-1 soccer betting favorites in World Cup odds and have not dissappointed. Holland defeated Denmark 2-0, Japan 1-0, Cameroon 2-1, Slovakia 2-1 and Brazil 2-1 to reach the semifinals. Arjen Robben, Dirk Kuyt and Robin van Persie have proven to be a deadly trio as Kaka and Robinho found out last Friday. The Netherlands have qualified for the World Cup a total of eight times but have never lifted the trophy as champions. "We really need to focus on Uruguay and that won’t be easy," said coach Bert van Marwijk this week. "They didn't reach the semi final for nothing, so we have to really focus again and not think that we're already there."