Netherlands host their neighbours Belgium in an international friendly on Wednesday in what promises to be an entertaining encounter.
Belgium will be preparing for their World-Cup qualifier against Estonia by taking on Danny Blind’s Dutch side this mid-week in a friendly. Since Belgium’s 2-0 loss to Spain in an international friendly, which was Roberto Martinez’s debut game as a manager, the Red Devils have emphatically won their next three games, scoring 13 goals in the process while keeping a clean sheet in each of them.
On the other hand, Netherlands have an uneven form going into the game, having won only once in their last four games.
Team news and tactics
Netherlands
The last time Netherlands beat Belgium was way back in 1997, a record that manager Danny Blind wants to put right on Tuesday. The Dutch boss revealed their star player Arjen Robben will be rested and will be preparing himself for their next game, which is a World-Cup qualifier. The winger has just recently recovered from an injury set-back.
The manager has insisted he will strive to get a good result and will field his best possible playing XI bar Robben.
The Dutch side have three competent keeper’s in Maarten Stekelenburg, Michel Vorm and Jasper Cillessen, but on current form, the Everton custodian must be the one starting against Belgium.
Jeffrey Bruma and Virgil van Dijk should continue at the heart of the defence. Joshua Brenet will replace the injured Rick Karsdorp in the lineup as the right-back while Daley Blind be the other full-back.
With Kevin Strootman not called-up by Danny Blind, the midfield should consist of Georgino Wijnaldum, Davy Klaassen and the experienced Stijn Schaars.
With Robben rested and Quincy Promes injured, Steven Berghuis may be stationed on the right with the in-form Jeremain Lens on the opposite flank. Vincent Janssen should continue to lead the line despite his poor form for Spurs.
Probable lineup (4-3-3): Stekelenburg; Brenet, Bruma, Van Dijk, Blind; Schaars, Wijnaldum, Klaassen; Berghuis, Janssen, Lens.
Belgium
The Red Devils have some of the finest individual talents in the world, but the task for Roberto Martinez is to find the right balance between these players to maximize their abilities. Roberto Martinez has been known to be quite flexible tactically having deployed a three at the back formation among various others during his time with Wigan.
Conte’s 3-4-3 system has brought out the best from one certain Belgian, and we might see a similar system on Tuesday.
Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois is their undisputed keeper, and should be the same again against Netherlands.
Captain Vincent Kompany has recovered from his injury set-back, and should be a certainty to start in order to accumulate some game-time before the crucial World-Cup qualifier. With Alderweireld still sidelined, Laurent Ciman should fill in his place, with Vertonghen completing the defense.
Carrasco and Meunier will be expected to give width going forward as well as provide support defensively as the two wide-men. Witsel has established himself as Beligum’s midfield general, and he should accompanied by Mousa Dembele in the middle of the park.
Belgium’s frontline could feature a mouth-watering combination of Eden Hazard, Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne, with all the three stars in fine form for their respective clubs.
Probable lineup (3-4-3): Courtois; Ciman, Kompany, Vertonghen; Meunier, Witsel, Dembele, Carrasco; Hazard, Lukaku, De Bruyne.
Key Stats
- The two teams have faced each other 21 times with Netherlands winning on 9 occasions, while Belgium emerging victorious 7 times.
- Belgium have scored 13 goals and not conceded any in their last 3 games.
- The last time Netherlands kept a clean sheet at home was back in April 2015.
- Belgium are undefeated (three wins, three draws) in their last six matches against Netherlands.
Prediction
Netherlands 2-3 Belgium
The Oranje have been leaky in recent games while Beligum are on a hot goal scoring streak. The game promises to be an exciting one, with both the managers having similar ideology of dominating possession. However, the visitors have players who can hurt the hosts on the break, which could prove to be the difference between the two sides.