Verdict: Draw
Best Odds: 5/2
Bookmaker: Bet365
In desperate need of a response following their disappointing run out in Russia, Joachim Löw’s Germany side will travel to the Johan Cruijff Arena for their second UEFA Nations League tie on Saturday night.
Holland
Starting with Saturday’s hosts, after missing out on their second consecutive major tournament, Holland turned to former captain Ronald Koeman back in February. While the Oranges are coming off the back of a 2-1 loss away to recently crowned World Champions France, Holland have begun to show signs of improvements under the former Everton boss. Now losing just one of their last five in all competitions, they have also done an impressive job of improving on their recent form on home soil. Aside from a hard-fought 1-0 loss to Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions, Holland have won their last five matches at the Johan Cruijff Arena. Playing out a 0-0 draw the last time the two sides met in the nations capital, one man to watch for Koeman’s men could be Lyon winger Memphis Depay. Scoring both goals in their win over Peru last month, the former Manchester United man has three in his last five for the Oranges.
Team News
Ronald Koeman has left Roma youngster Justin Kluivert out of a squad that includes four new faces.
Brighton midfielder Davy Propper was a late withdrawal after picking up a knock against West Ham on Friday, but Koeman has opted not to call up a replacement.
Germany
As for the visitors, while Germany may have headed to Russia as the defending champions, things could not have gone worse for Joachim Low’s side. Highlighted by their woeful 2-0 loss to South Korea in their final group matchup, the Whites were unable to make it to the knockout stage and also finished rock bottom of Group F. With their confidence arguably at an all-time low, despite coming off the back of a 2-1 win over Peru last month, they were far from convincing and could have easily left on the wrong end of another embarrassing scoreline. Picking up a point in their UEFA Nations League opener against France, Low will know that his side must improve on their recent record on foreign soil. Along with their defeats to Mexico and South Korea in the finals, Germany have now managed to pick up just one win on their travels in their last five attempts, a run stemming back to November 2010.
Team News
Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger has pulled out of the Germany squad with a groin problem, as has Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Kai Havertz, with Juventus midfielder Emre Can called up for the first time in almost a year as cover.
Joachim Low is also without Manchester City star Ilkay Gundogan and Borussia Dortmund’s Marco Reus.
Key Factors to Consider
- These two sides have met 40 times, including three times at World Cups and five times at European Championships. Germany have won 15 matches, with 15 ending in draws and the Dutch winning the other ten.
- Including their outings at the World Cup, Germany have now just won one of their last five away matches in all competitions.
- Joachim Low’s side have recorded just one clean sheet in their last 10 matches in all competitions.
- Holland have also recorded one clean sheet in their last six matches in all competitions.
- Five of the last seven meetings between the two sides have seen over 2.5 goals at full-time.
Conclusion
On paper, both Ronald Koeman and Joachim Low’s sides will fancy their chances of picking up their first win in this years UEFA Nations League. While Germany have shown their struggles on the road over the past 10 months, the former World Champions will still travel to Amsterdam with a star-studded squad. With both sides drawing their last meeting 0-0 and three of their last six matches combined ending a draw, we’re backing both Germany and Holland to leave with a point on Saturday night.
Verdict: Draw
Best Odds: 5/2
Bookmaker: Bet365
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