Prediction: Germany vs Holland

Verdict: Germany win

Best Odds: 10/11

Bookmaker: Bet365

Handed the chance to potentially climb to the top of Group C, Germany will welcome bitter rivals Holland to the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg on Friday night.

Germany

Starting with the hosts, although a woeful run of form last year may have seen Germany fail to reach it to the knockout stage out in Russia and many questioning Joachim Löw’s future, the European giants have made some real improvements. Keeping the morale in their camp at a high after picking up a routine 8-0 victory against Estonia back in June, Die Mannschaft have won each of their three opening matches in Group C and are once again a clear favorite to clinch a spot at next summers European Championships. Handed the chance to leapfrog Northern Ireland to top spot, Germany’s youthful side have already bagged 13 goals during qualifying, the second-best return of any side across all the groups. One man to watch on Friday will be the red-hot Timo Werner. Finding the net against Estonia back in June, the RB Leipzig striker already has five Bundesliga goals in his opening three appearances, including a hat-trick against Borussia Mönchengladbach last weekend.

Team News

Germany will be without the Premier League duo of ​Leroy Sane and ​Antonio Rudiger who are both unavailable due to injury. 

Holland

As for the visitors, although Holland may still be enjoying a resurge under Everton boss Ronald Koeman, the Oranges will be needed an immediate response after watching Portugal lift the inaugural UEFA Nations League crown over the summer. Still tipped as a leading contender to end their four-year wait to earn a spot at a major European tournament, there does remain some minor defensive issues that need resolving in Amsterdam. Suffering a 3-2 loss at home against Germany in their second Group C appearance back in June, Friday’s guests have managed to record just a single clean sheet in their last five contests and Koeman will also be calling on his side to make some vast improvements on their travels. Remarkably, Holland have failed to win any of their last six matches on the road, a run that stems back to March 2018. However, while Germany may have one attacking option enjoying a real purple patch, the Oranges also have one man continuing to shine. Former Manchester United forward Memphis Depay already has four Ligue 1 goals to his name and also found the net against Germany back in June.

Team News

Ronald Koeman has lost both PSV Eindhoven’s Steven Bergwijn and Lazio’s Stefan de Vrij for the game, with Justin Kluivert and Joel Veltman coming back into the squad.

Key Factors to Consider

• The last time the two sides met back in June Holland came away with a 3-2 win.
• Germany have lost just one of their last eight matches against Holland.
• Timo Werner has five goals in his last three Bundesliga appearances.
• Holland have failed to win any of their last six matches on their travels.
• Memphis Depay has four in his last four appearances for Lyon.

Conclusion

Although Holland’s improvements over the past 12 months do deserve plenty of applause, Friday’s trip to Hamburg could prove to be another tough test. Given Germany have opened their Group C campaign with three wins on the bounce, including a 3-2 win over Holland in Amsterdam back in June, we’re backing the hosts to come away with the victory in what could prove to be a lively encounter.

Verdict: Germany win

Best Odds: 10/11

Bookmaker: Bet365