Prediction: Ireland vs Netherlands

Verdict: Netherlands win

Best Odds: 8/13

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Looking to make it three qualifying victories on the spin this weekend, the Netherlands will travel to Dublin on Sunday night when they meet Ireland.

Ireland

Starting with the hosts, while Ireland might have signed off June’s international break with a much-needed 3-0 romp against Gibraltar, it appears that might have just been a minor boost for Stephen Kenny’s squad. Although the Greens might have opened their European Championship qualifying adventure earlier in the year with their sights firmly set on clinching a top-two finish, it is no secret that Ireland are enduring a real Group B struggle this time around. Marking their return to action on Thursday night as they were eventually hit with a 2-0 loss at the hands of European heavyweights France, Kenny’s side have now lost three of their first four qualifying showdowns. Likewise, failing to find much stability during their Nations League campaign last year, Sunday’s hosts have won just a trio of their previous 10 competitive contests across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to November 2021.

Team News

In what has been a major blow for Kenny’s side, Ireland will once again be unable to call upon attacking talisman Evan Ferguson as the 18-year-old had to withdraw from this month’s squad due to a knee injury.

Replaced just 11 minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute against France earlier in the week, Ireland are sweating over the fitness of Preston’s Will Keane. Replacing Ender Stevens at half-time on Thursday, Wrexham’s James McClean could be handed a full recall here.

Netherlands

As for the visitors, while the Netherlands might still be fully trying to find their feet under returning boss Ronald Koeman, the European giants certainly claimed a major boost earlier in the week. Despite suffering real Nations League heartbreak back in June, the ex-Southampton boss saw his side put in a rampant performance a few days ago. Eventually storming their way to a 3-0 romp against a high-flying Greece, the Oranges will be looking to make another qualifying statement here. Tipped as a standout contender to follow France out of Group B, Sunday’s guests should also be excited by their largely rugged qualifying record on foreign soil. In fact, the Netherlands have lost just one of their previous six qualifying appearances on the road. Looking to make it three Group B victories on the spin here, Holland should be smelling a potential chance in Dublin.

Team News

Notching his first qualifying strike against Greece earlier in the week, former Manchester United loanee Wout Weghorst will once against spearhead Holland’s charge on Sunday night.

Forming what has become an eye-catching partnership, Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk will once again be partnered with Manchester City star Nathan Ake. Struggling to make much of a domestic impact with Bayern Munich this season, Matthijs de Ligt will have to settle for a spot on the bench in Dublin.

Key Factors to Consider

• Sunday’s showdown in Dublin is the first competitive meeting between Ireland and the Netherlands since way back in September 2001.
• Holland have secured back-to-back Group B victories by a 3-0 scoreline
• Likewise, the Oranges have lost just one of their previous six European Championship qualifying showdowns on foreign soil.
• Including a 2-0 loss against France earlier in the week, Ireland have lost three of their four Group B appearances this year.
• Sunday’s hosts have also won just a trio of their last 10 competitive appearances across all formats.

Conclusion

Putting in a rampant display earlier in the week as they breezed their way to a 3-0 romp against Greece, there is no doubt that the Netherlands will be looking to make another qualifying statement here. Now clinching back-to-back Group B wins by a 3-0 scoreline, the European giants will be excited by a trip to Dublin here. Suffering just a single loss from any of their previous six qualifying showdowns on foreign soil, Sunday’s guests will be looking to cash in on an Ireland squad that have continued to show some worrying issues. Marking their return to action in midweek with a routine 2-0 loss at the hands of former world champions France, Kenny’s side have now lost three of their first four qualifying outings.

Verdict: Netherlands win

Best Odds: 8/13

Bookmaker: Olympusbet