Prediction: Netherlands vs Croatia

Verdict: Over 1.5 goals

Best Odds: 2/5

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

With a Nations League final spot up for grabs on Wednesday night, the Netherlands will welcome World Cup bronze medalists Croatia to Rotterdam.

Netherlands

Starting with the hosts, while the Netherlands might have opened Ronald Koeman’s return with an infamous 4-0 drumming away at France back on March 24th, the European icons certainly found a welcomed boost last time out. Still trying to find some stability under the one-time Southampton boss, Holland certainly enjoyed a real Nations League romp last year. Although Wednesday’s hosts might have been left heartbroken in Qatar over the winter as they suffered quarter-final agony at the hands of eventual winners Argentina, Koeman’s side did muster 16 points from their six Group A4 appearances prior to the World Cup break. Holding a fearsome reputation on home soil and not tasting a single defeat in front of their own supporters since a 2-0 defeat against the Czech Republic on June 27th, Holland believe that this year’s Nations League is a golden chance to claim a first piece of silverware since 1988.

Team News

The Netherlands will be unable to call upon attacking talisman Memphis Depay on Wednesday night. Enjoying what has been a breakout campaign with PSV this season and notching 19 Eredivisie strikes on either side of the World Cup’s winter break, 20-year-old Xavi Simons should spearhead Koeman’s charge here.

Playing a vital role as Manchester City claimed a maiden Champions League crown last weekend, Nathan Ake should play some part in Rotterdam. Matthijs de Ligt could be handed the chance to partner Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk at the back.

Croatia

As for the visitors, only making more World Cup history out in Qatar over the winter as they clinched a bronze medal finish, Croatia have only continued to cement their spot as one of Europe’s elite. Although Zlatko Dalic’s side might have been forced to open their European Championship qualifiers with a 1-1 draw at home against Wales on March 25th, the Blazers came roaring back last time out. Last seen picking up a deserved 2-0 win away at Turkey, Wednesday’s guests have remarkably lost just one of their previous 15 appearances across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to a 3-0 loss against Austria 12 months ago. Only continuing to gain a reputation for their rugged approach and riding what has been a famous wave of momentum over recent times, Dalic’s high-flying squad could be smelling the chance to make a heavyweight Nations League statement in Rotterdam.

Team News

While many might have expected Luka Modric to announce his international retirement following Croatia’s World Cup bronze medal finish over the winter, Luka Modric has been included in Dalic’s squad this month. The Real Madrid ace will be partnered in midfield by Mateo Kovacic.

Signing off the 2022/23 campaign by mustering eight goals in his final 11 appearances for club and country, Hoffenheim ace Andrej Kramaric should lead the Blazers’ attack on Wednesday night.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met back in 2008 for a friendly meeting, the Netherlands picked up a 3-0 victory on foreign soil.
• Holland mustered 16 points in their six Group A4 appearances last year.
• Likewise, Wednesday’s hosts also bagged 14 strikes in those six Nations League appearances.
• Claiming a World Cup bronze medal finish out in Qatar over the winter, Croatia have lost just one of their previous 15 appearances across all competitions.
• Hoffenheim striker Andrej Kramaric signed off the 2022/23 campaign by bagging eight strikes in his final 11 contests for club and country.

Conclusion

While the Netherlands might open Wednesday’s Nations League semi-final tipped as a standout contender, there is no doubt that the Oranges will face a real challenge here. Watching Croatia make even more World Cup history over the winter as they clinched a bronze medal finish in Qatar, the midweek guests have now lost just one of their last 15 straight appearances across all competitions. Looking to claim another heavyweight scalp in Rotterdam, neutrals could be treated to an enjoyable affair here. It should be noted, with Holland seeing 17 of their last 18 showdowns finish with over 1.5 goals, we are expecting a similar outcome on Wednesday night.

Verdict: Over 1.5 goals

Best Odds: 2/5

Bookmaker: Olympusbet