Prediction: Poland vs Netherlands

Verdict: Netherlands win

Best Odds: 4/7

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Getting their EURO 24 adventure underway on Sunday afternoon, the Netherlands will meet Poland at the Volksparkstadion.

Poland

Starting with Poland, booking their spot at this summer’s European Championships after securing an iconic penalties victory against Wales during March’s international break, the Eagles should find the mood in their camp at a real high. Although Michal Probierz’s men might have struggled to find any real stability during their qualifying adventure last year, they have certainly claimed some recent momentum. Signing off their pre-tournament preparations with an eye-catching 2-1 win at home against Turkey, Poland have now won all of their previous five appearances across all competitions. However, sharing Group D alongside the likes of France, Holland and Austria, the Eagles will be more than aware that they face a real uphill battle in the race to book a knockout stage ticket.

Team News

In what is a monumental blow for Poland on Sunday afternoon, the Eagles have already confirmed that record-breaking talisman Robert Lewandowski has sustained a ruptured bicep and will not feature this weekend. Inching closer to a blockbuster Saudi Arabian switch this summer, ex-Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny will start between the sticks.

Now plying his trade with Turkish outfit Basaksehir, Krzysztof Piatek should be given the nod to replace Lewandowski and spearhead Poland’s charge on Sunday afternoon. Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior will be joined by Southampton’s Jan Bednarek at the back.

Netherlands

As for the Netherlands, while Holland might have initially struggled to find their feet after Ronald Koeman returned two years ago, the European icons have turned a major corner. Signing off their pre-tournament preparations with back-to-back 4-0 victories against Canada and Iceland, the Oranges are pencilled in as a potential dark horse contender this summer. Opening 2024 with another 4-0 romp against Scotland, the former Barcelona boss will be calling on his squad to make another statement here. In fact, continuing on from their qualifying romp last year, Holland have won eight of their previous 10 appearances across all competitions. Likewise, remarkably not suffering a single defeat against Poland since way back in 1979, the Netherlands have their sights firmly set on mounting a late charge over the next month.

Team News

Dealt with what was a major double injury blow just days before getting this summer’s European Championships underway, the Netherlands will be unable to call upon the duo of Teun Koopmeiners and Barcelona ace Frenkie de Jong will not feature over in Germany this month. Reaching the Champions League final with Borussia Dortmund last season, Ian Maatsen has been called up.

While it might have been confirmed that Memphis Depay will be leaving Spanish heavyweights Atletico Madrid this summer, the 30-year-old will spearhead Holland’s charge this weekend. The one-time Manchester United misfit will be joined in the final third by PSG youngster Xavi Simons.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Poland and the Netherlands last met back in September 2022 while on Nations League action, Holland collected a 2-0 victory.
• The Netherlands are unbeaten in all of their previous 11 meetings against Poland – a run that stems back to May 1979
• Continuing on from their qualifying adventure last year, Holland have won eight of their previous 10 appearances across all competitions.
• Likewise, the Netherlands have kept a clean sheet in six of their last seven outings.
• Along with winning all of their last five straight outings, Poland are unbeaten in all of their previous eight appearances across all competitions.

Conclusion

Signing off their pre-EURO 24 preparations with a real flurry, Holland will certainly be excited to open their European adventure on Sunday afternoon. Collecting a 2-0 win when they last met Poland while in Nations League action back in September 2022, the Netherlands will be excited by a rampant record against their Group D rivals. In fact, unbeaten in all of their last 11 straight meetings against the Eagles – a run that stems back to May 1979 – we are backing Koeman’s men to make an early statement at the Volksparkstadion.

Verdict: Netherlands win

Best Odds: 4/7

Bookmaker: Dachbet