URUGUAY VS HOLLAND LATEST WORLD CUP SEMI FINAL PREVIEW

We've got a genuinely fascinating encounter ahead of us today with the kick-off expected in just a few hours. There has been plenty of insight bandied about regarding this fixture and it looks to be a classic case of underdog vs favoured contender. The reality of the situation is a bit deeper than that as nobody expected Holland to progress this far in the tournament. 

Traditionally, the Dutch have been a bit all over the place in certain tournaments- accumulating a reputation as choke-artists on the bigger stages. That looks vanquished now with the high-flying Dutch midfield boasting some formidable attacking talent- and a passing game that any team on the planet would be jealous of. 
Uruguay have been successful in this tournament thanks to a relatively kind draw and a never-say-die attitude. They were a hairsbreath away from being eliminated but the villainy/heroics of one Luis Suarez kept them in the tournament at Ghana's expense and simultaneously etched his name into footballing folklore. 
Holland are considered the odds-on favourites for this fixture, but you get the feeling that the Uruguyans would prefer it that way. The Dutch masters are priced at 1.72 while the Celeste are priced at 5.5. The draw can be backed at 3.5 and I have a feeling that Uruguay will fancy their chances in extra-time here. 
Robin Van Persie is the favoured goalscorer and he's priced at 2.25 to score anytime and 4.5 to score first or last. Arjen Robben can be backed at 3.0 and 6.5 first or last. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is sitting at a 2.87 price tag with Wesley Sneijder a dangerous option at 3.2. He was originally priced much higher to score at the start of the tournament, but his decent goal haul has seen his price drop dramatically. 
Diego Forlan is priced at 3.25 to score anytime and I do fancy him to score in this one. Without Luis Suarez he will be less of a playmaker and more of an outright striker here. I think he excels in both roles and should factor into the equation here at the end of the match. 
Other notable prices include Dirk Kuyt at 3.4, Rafael van der Vaart at 3.6 with Sebastian Abreu at 5.5 and Edinson Cavani at 6.0. Mark van Bommel is listed at 7.5. 
Van Persie is 7.5 to score two or more while Forlan is priced at 17.0 to grab at least a brace. A hat-trick for Van Persie pays out at 29.0 and Forlan is priced at 81.0. Wesley Sneijder to score a hat-trick is also listed at 81.0. 
This is going to be a very intriguing fixture and you can't help but think that the Dutch should get things done. However, I don't think its as clear-cut as that and if Uruguay can keep the scoreline down and keep the Dutch out of the net early, then this one could definitely go into extra-time. I fancy both sides if they have to chase, so that should make this one go down to the wire.