Bulgaria v Netherlands Betting: Back both to produce high-scoring encounter

Netherlands face a crucial World Cup 2018 qualifier against Bulgaria on Saturday night.

The Dutch have already dropped four points in their opening four Group A games and, with only the winners of each section guaranteed a place at the finals in Russia, Danny Blind's side know that there is no room for error when they travel to face Petar Hubchev's men.

Netherlands finished third in the World Cup in Brazil three years ago, but a disastrous European Championships qualification campaign saw the Dutch come up short in their bid to make the finals in France last summer.

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A second consecutive unsuccessful qualification campaign is unthinkable for Netherlands and Blind's side can be backed at 1/2 (1.50) with bet365 to get their bid to reach Russia firmly back on track by claiming a vital victory in Sofia.

Bulgaria have won both of their opening two home games in Group A - against Luxembourg and Belarus respectively - and there is 13/2 (7.50) that Hubchev's charges make it a hat-trick of home victories with a famous defeat of the Dutch; the same firm go 11/4 (3.75) that the game ends in stalemate.

Bulgaria's aim of reaching Russia, though, has been severely hampered by damaging defeats against both France and Sweden on the road - 4-1 and 3-0 respectively - and their lack of defensive discipline will surely give Hubchev cause for concern ahead of Netherlands' visit.

Indeed, Saturday's hosts have shipped at least three goals in five of their last six matches; bet365 offer 9/4 (3.25) that the visitors plunder more than two goals in this fixture, while the odds compilers offer 17/20 (1.85) that more than two goals are scored.

Blind's side certainly have an an impressive record on the road, for Netherlands have avoided defeat in each of their last eight away games - and the Dutch will be hoping for more away-day delight from this fixture.

The 1/2 (1.50) for an away win is skinny enough, however, and better value may lie in backing the Dutch to edge a goal-laden game. There have been more than two goals scored in six of Netherlands' last seven wins, as well as in each of Bulgaria's last five defeats.

The 11/8 (2.38), therefore, for more than two goals to be scored and Netherlands to win could offer punters a solid selection ahead of Saturday's match.