2014 World Cup Free Picks: Brazil vs. Netherlands

4 p.m., Saturday, July 12 - Estadio Nacional, Brasilia (ESPN)

Match Betting Lines

Brazil are favorites at +130 to claim third place at the 2014 World Cup. Netherlands are +180 while the draw can be had for +270. The total is listed at three goals.

Brazil

This spot could very easily be advertised as the letdown of all letdown spots. How on earth does Brazil get up for this match after having been embarrassed in the semifinals and had their dream of a World Cup win on home soil dramatically ended in front of its home fans? Not easy to digest. Neymar is still out, and with third place on the line it is the understatement of the year to say it will be interesting to see what kind of energy and passion Brazil come to play with in this match. One could also argue that pride is absolutely on the line with the chance to pull back some respect and save face.

Netherlands

In a lesser but still obvious hangover situation, Holland were even closer to the Final than Brazil, just penalty kicks away until several huge saves by Argentine keeper Sergio Romero to deny the Dutch. Where will the Netherlands be mentally just the same? Granted their tournament results were an overachievement from where most thought Holland would finish, so essentially they will be entering this Third Place match with house money of sorts and nothing to lose when they line up against Brazil.

Match Analysis

The Third Place match is notorious for goals and an open style of play. Neither team will show a defensive hold on this game, and usually this provides for one of the most entertaining matches of the tournament. I can't see any team holding punches. We won't see a cagey battle similar to when these two squared off in the knockout round four years ago in South Africa. This time expect free-flowing football in the capital city.

Key Injuries, Suspensions, Yellow Cards

Expect a lot of changes in both starting line-ups to be made. Likely any player who has yet to feature this tournament will be given a run in this match.

Josh's Pick

Pride is going to have this Brazilian team ready to play. As damaged goods as this bunch are right now mentally, they can't afford to lay another egg in front of their home fans and further tarnish the finish of their World Cup. Yes, third place is not what they wanted, but this Brazil team must do anything and everything to try and remove the images of their historically bad 7-1 defeat to Germany. That being said, betting the 'over' is the way to play this match.

Doc's Sports has full coverage of the 2014 World Cup and more articles throughout this summer's major soccer tournament. Strike Point Sports is one of the top soccer handicappers with their success on the big tournament stage. From the 2006 World Cup, Euro 2008, 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012, SPS earned $100 clients over $8,200 in profit from these four major events. This summer's World Cup is going to be another moneymaking opportunity, and they are looking forward to their soccer selections and another winning tournament

Read more articles by Josh Schonwald