After a disappointing run in the UEFA Nations League, the Netherlands are all set to host Greece in the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers.
Greece will hit the road to square up against the Netherlands, who have suffered a defeat in each of their last two outings. The Oranje have not been at their best, and they will be eager to return to winning ways. Meanwhile, the visitors suffered a 1-0 defeat in their previous Euro 2024 qualifiers outing, and they will bounce back when they square up against the Netherlands.
The hosts are currently fourth in their Euro 2024 qualifiers group. They have been involved in two qualifiers so far, accumulating three points in two outings on the back of a win and a loss. The Netherlands started off their qualifying campaign with a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of France and then followed it up with a 3-0 win against Gibraltar.
The home team will be looking to win both their qualifying fixtures in this international break in order to improve their situation on the points table. But, they are heading into these fixtures on the back of consecutive defeats in the UEFA Nations League semi-finals and third-place match. As a result, it won’t be easy for Ronald Koeman’s men.
Meanwhile, visitors Greece have had a decent start to their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign. They are currently second behind France with six points in their three outings. Another couple of wins in this round of qualifiers will surely strengthen their position for direct qualification.
They started off their qualifying campaign with a 3-0 win over Gibraltar and then followed it up with a 2-1 win over Nothern Ireland. But, their last outing against France was a 1-0 defeat. While they ended up on the wrong side of the result against France, it was a defensive masterclass and they are expected to put up a similar fight against the Oranje.
It is going to be an interesting clash between the two teams who are desperate for all three points. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at these fixtures and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Netherlands
Ronald Koeman will be without the services of quite a few star players because of injuries. The likes of Memphis Depay, Steven Bergwijn, Jurrien Timber, Sven Botman, Justin Bijlow, Tyrell Malacia and Brian Brobbey are all unavailable.
𝐂𝐆.#NothingLikeOranje https://t.co/AcKmVXrw3z pic.twitter.com/1ARaNxoHxD
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) September 5, 2023
On top of that, Ryan Gravenberch has decided to stay at his new club Liverpool after joining them on transfer deadline day. Koeman is expected to go ahead with a 4-2-3-1 formation for this fixture. Andries Noppert is expected to start in goal.
The back four will consist of Virgil van Dijk, Lutsharel Geertruida, Denzel Dumfries and Nathan Ake. Van Dijk and Geertruida will be in the heart of the defence while Dumfries and Ake will start out as the full-backs. Mats Wieffer and Frenkie de Jong are expected to form the double pivot in the centre of the park.
The duo is expected to keep hold of the ball and dictate the pace of this fixture. Donyell Malen will start out wide on the right flank, while Noa Lang will take care of proceedings on the left. Xavi Simons could be the attacking midfielder just in behind their striker Wout Weghorst.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Noppert; Dumfries, Geertruida, Van Dijk, Ake; Wieffer, De Jong; Malen, Simons, Lang; Weghorst
Greece
The visitors will be without the services of Konstantinos Mavropanos, who was sent off in their previous outing and will be serving a suspension. Apart from him, there are no major injury concerns for them. They are also expected to go ahead with the 4-2-3-1 formation, where Odysseas Vlachodimos will be in goal.
George Baldock and Konstantinos Tsimikas will be the full-backs. In the heart of the defence, Georgios Tzavellas will pair up with Pantelis Chatzidiakos. The back four are expected to have a tough day at the office. But, they will be eager to keep a clean sheet.
In the centre of the park, Emmanouil Siopis and Dimitrios Kourbelis will form the double pivot. While they would love to dictate the pace of this game. The duo are expected to have a lot of defending to do.
Skipper Tasos Bakasetas has been in red hot form having contributed towards ten goals in their last 12 outings for Greece. And, he will be looking to put on another sensation performance. Bakasetas will start as an attacking midfielder behind striker Giorgos Giakoumakis. Giorgos Masouras and Petros Mantalos will start out wide on the flanks. The duo will look to provide the much-needed width and stretch the opposition’s defence.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Vlachodimos; Baldock, Tzavellas, Chatzidiakos, Tsimikas; Siopis, Kourbelis; Masouras, Bakasetas, Mantalos; Giakoumakis
Key Stats
- Gus Poyet has done an impressive job as the Greece boss with eight wins in his 14 matches in charge.
- The visitors are looking to end their 12-year wait to qualify for the European Championships.
- In nine outings between the two teams, the Netherlands have won seven times while Greece have won just once.
- Piratiko have not won an away game against a top 90 FIFA-ranked nation in the Euro qualifiers since 2014.
- Vangelis Pavlidis will be a key player for Greece as the striker has six goal contributions in three league starts for AZ Alkmaar.
Player to Watch
Xavi Simons
Simons made a big name for himself quite early in his career. And, post that he left Barcelona’s famous youth academy La Masia and joined Paris Saint-Germain. While the move to the French giants came with a lot of expectations, things started to fall off for the 20-year-old. However, he managed to put things back together after joining PSV last summer.
The Dutch international has since gone from strength to strength. He has been bought back by PSG and is currently on loan at RB Leipzig where he has five goal contributions in three starts. The 20-year-old is in red-hot form and he is expected to start against Greece. Given his recent heroics, he might end up deciding the result of this fixture.
Prediction
Netherlands 2-1 Greece
Greece are heading into this qualifying fixture in a much more comfortable position than their opposition Netherlands. But, things could change quickly in Group B of the Euro 2024 Qualifiers. The visitors have a better recent form and they are second in the points table. As a result, they are expected to have a good day at work.
But, given the quality of the Dutch squad and kind of the players they have, the recent form might not matter. The Netherlands are a squad full of superstars and their position on the points table suggests they can slip up at this stage. As a result, The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for the home team.
