Netherlands will look to seal their spot in the UEFA Euro 2024 when they host Republic of Ireland at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
Republic of Ireland will look to keep their hopes of making it to the Euro 2024 in Germany with a win when they hit the road to square up against the Netherlands. Meanwhile, the home team can seal a spot with a win in this fixture.
Netherlands are currently second in Group B behind France, who have been on a winning streak. The home team have won four out of their six games and have accumulated 12 points so far. While third-placed Greece are also on 12 points, the Oranje have a game in hand.
The home team have everything in their own hands. A win over the Republic of Ireland will help them finish second irrespective of whatever happens in their final fixture. They have a better head-to-head record against Greece, which works in their favour.
The visitors are currently fourth in Group B, with six points out of their seven games. They have been far from their best and have suffered against quality opposition. The Republic of Ireland cannot finish in the top two of the group. But they can still make it to the finals via the play-offs courtesy of their UEFA Nations League standing.
They have lost three out of their last five fixture but are heading into this match on the back of a dominating 4-0 win over Gibraltar. While they will look to put in a similar performance, it won’t be easy to square up against the Dutch who have some world-class players in their ranks. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
Team News & Tactics
Netherlands
The Dutch will be without the services of Jeremie Firmpong, Nathan Ake, Brian Brobbey and Steven Bergwijn, who have withdrawn from the squad because of injuries. Jordan Teze has replaced Firmpong in the squad.
Ronald Koeman has called up uncapped Toulouse striker Thijs Dallinga, and 17-year-old Ajax defender Jorrel Hato has also made the cut. The former Barcelona manager is expected to go ahead with a 3-4-3 formation, where Bart Verbruggen will be in goal.
🔸 Ronald Koeman has added Jordan Teze to the squad. The @PSV defender replaces Jeremie Frimpong, who had to leave training early this afternoon due to an injury.
Have a quick recovery, Jeremie! 🍀#NothingLikeOranje #NEDIRL pic.twitter.com/rCRE2G14jK
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) November 16, 2023
Lutsharel Geertruida, Virgil van Dijk and Daley Blind will form the back three. They will look to keep another clean sheet here. The trio will have the support of Denzel Dumfries and Quilindschy Hartman, who will feature as wing-backs in this fixture.
In the centre of the park, Tijjani Reijnders will pair up with Mats Wieffer. The duo will look to ensure their team has the majority of the ball and they dictate the tempo of this game. Xavi Simons will feature on the right flank, while Cody Gakpo will feature on the left. Wout Weghorst will be leading the line for the Netherlands.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Verbruggen; Geertruida, Van Dijk, Blind; Dumfries, Reijnders, Wieffer, Hartman; Simons, Weghorst, Gakpo
Republic of Ireland
Stephen Kenny has no fresh injury concerns for their final fixture of the UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifiers. But Evan Ferguson, Will Smallbone, Chiedozie Ogbene and Jamie McGrath are all doubtful. However, the manager has confirmed that Ferguson could be back in time for this fixture.
Next stop: Amsterdam 🔜🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/i5jKv57pjc
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) November 16, 2023
The Republic of Ireland are expected to go ahead with the 4-3-3, formation where Caoimhin Kelleher will be in goal. Matt Doherty and Ryan Manning will be the full-backs. The duo will support Shane Duffy and Liam Scales, who will start in the heart of the defence.
The centre of the park will be made up of Jason Knight, Jayson Molumby and Josh Cullen. The trio will look to ensure the opposition’s midfielders do not dominate the proceedings. Mark Sykes and Michael Johnston will provide width to their attack. They will look to stretch the opposition’s defence and provide balls for Evan Ferguson who is expected to feature up top.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Kelleher; Doherty, Duffy, Scales, Manning; Knight, Cullen, Molumby; Sykes, Ferguson, Johnston
Key Stats
- The Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland have squared up against each other on 21 occasions. The hosts have won 10 while the visitors have won seven times.
- The hosts have been unbeaten in their last three matches.
- Ireland have only kept two clean sheets in their last nine outings.
- The visitors have the second-worst defence in Group B having conceded nine goals.
Player to Watch
Xavi Simons
Simons has been on fire in the ongoing season, and he could end up being the difference between the two teams. He is currently on loan at RB Leipzig from Paris Saint-Germain. The 20-year-old winger has featured in 11 Bundesliga matches and has contributed with four goals and seven assists.
The former Barcelona youth product is yet to find the back of the net of the Dutch national team, and he will be eager to get his name on the scoresheet when he takes the field against Ireland.
Prediction
Netherlands 2-0 Republic of Ireland
The Republic of Ireland have only won two out of their seven games in the UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifiers so far. They have struggled against strong opposition, and the Netherlands will surely make life difficult for them.
The Oranje have won four out of their six games, and they will look to seal their spot in Euro 2024 with a win at home. They have a lot of quality in their ranks and are expected to come out on top here. The Hard Tackle predicts an easy 2-0 win for the home team.
