Prediction: Netherlands vs Northern Ireland

Prediction: Netherlands win

Best Odds: 2/11

Bookmaker: bet365

The international break is upon us, which means that UEFA Euro 2020 qualification can resume. There’s a few months to go before we officially know who is going to be competing in next summer’s big tournament, but one thing that fans already know for sure is that it’s going to go down to the wire for a lot of nations throughout the continent. Today, we’re going to look at two such teams as the Netherlands prepare to play host to fellow rivals for qualification Northern Ireland.

Netherlands

While they may have experienced disappointment over the course of the last few tournaments, the Dutch appear to be well and truly back to their best. While two recent losses have knocked their progress slightly, it should be noted that they avenged the defeat against the Germans and were unlucky against Portugal. As we look ahead to their future under this new regime it certainly feels like there are a lot of reasons to be optimistic, or at the very least, more hopeful than they have been in recent times.

Team News

Propper and de Roon are set to compete for a place in the middle of the park, with Donyell Malen being expected to feature once again. Dumfries and Veltman will battle it out for a place in the starting XI.

Northern Ireland

While they aren’t exactly going to be dubbed as world beaters anytime soon, there’s still a very good chance that Northern Ireland could make their way through to next year’s European Championships – and that’s all you can really ask from them at this stage. They’ve been able to build a squad that plays for the badge on their shirt no matter what, to the point where they finally seem to be in a really competitive place amongst some of the other nations of a similar quality.

Team News

The expectation is that no major changes will be enforced by Michael O’Neill, with one possible talking point being Washington starting over Magennis and Lafferty.

Factors to Consider

• In their last meeting back in June 2012, Netherlands beat Northern Ireland 6-0.
• Netherlands have won four and lost two of their last six games.
• Northern Ireland have won five and lost one of their last six games.
• Netherlands have scored 17 goals and conceded seven in their last six games.
• Northern Ireland have scored eight goals and conceded four in their last six games.

Conclusion

Northern Ireland are going to put up a decent fight in this one, but we just don’t think they’ve got the stamina over 90 minutes to contend with the Dutch. It’s going to be pretty close throughout the first hour or so of the game with the visitors holding firm defensively, but once Koeman’s men get the first goal, we can see the flood gates opening in a big way. Despite that, we still think the Northern Irish have a great chance of qualifying for UEFA Euro 2020 – probably alongside the Netherlands.

Prediction: Netherlands win

Best Odds: 2/11

Bookmaker: bet365