Germany will host the Netherlands in a UEFA Nations League tie at the Allianz Arena on Monday, looking to continue their impressive run of form.
Germany have picked up seven points from their first three matches, and they are coming into the game against the Netherlands on the back of a 2-1 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina. The home fans will be expecting a strong performance from the players here, and it remains to be seen whether Die Mannschaft can grind out all three points once again.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands did well to rescue a point against Hungary last time out, and they will be hoping to get back to winning here. A win over Germany away from home will give them a huge confidence boost.
The Oranje have shown their quality in the recent outings, and there is no doubt that they are capable of grinding out a good result here. This is likely to be a cracking contest between two sides packed with talent. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Germany
Julian Nagelsmann will be without several players due to injuries here. Benjamin Henrichs, David Raun, Robin Koch, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Jamal Musiala, and Kai Havertz are all ruled out.
Germany are likely to shape up in a 4-4-2 formation against the Netherlands, with Oliver Baumann in goal. Joshua Kimmich and Maximilian Mittelstadt will start as the full-backs. They will look to keep things compact defensively and help out in the attack as well. In central defence, Jonathan Tah will start alongside Antonio Rudiger.
As for the midfield unit, Robert Andrich will start alongside Pascal Gross, and the two players will look to protect the defensive unit and break down the opposition’s attacking moves.
Florian Wirtz and Serge Gnabry will be deployed in the wide areas. They will look to add creativity and goals from the flanks. Finally, Jonathan Burkardt is expected to lead the line for Germany against the Netherlands alongside Deniz Undav.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Baumann; Kimmich, Tah, Rudiger, Mittelstadt; Wirtz, Andrich, Gross, Gnabry; Undav, Burkardt
Netherlands
Nathan Ake and Jurrien Timber are sidelined with injuries. Virgil van Dijk is suspended after seeing red against Hungary. The Netherlands will shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Germany, with Bart Verbruggen in goal.
Denzel Dumfries and Jorrel Hato will start as the full-backs, and they will look to help out at both ends of the pitch. Matthijs de Ligt will start alongside Stefan De Vrij at the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Ryan Gravenberch will add creativity, control and composure alongside defensive midfielder Quinten Timber. Tijjani Reijnders will start as the central attacking midfielder, with Xavi Simons and Cody Gakpo on either side of him. Joshua Zirkzee will lead the line for the Netherlands against Germany.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Dumfries, de Ligt, de Vrij, Hato; Gravenberch, Timber; Simons, Reijnders, Gakpo; Zirkzee
Key Stats
- Germany have scored at least two goals in their last four home matches against the Netherlands in all competitions.
- Three of the last six matches between these two sides have ended in a draw.
- Both teams have scored in the last six meetings between these two sides.
- 24 goals have been scored in the last six meetings between these two sides.
- Germany are unbeaten in five of the last six meetings against the Netherlands.
Player to Watch
Florian Wirtz
The German attacking midfielder is our key player to watch out for. He will look to create goalscoring opportunities for his teammates and get on the score sheet as well. In the absence of Virgil van Dijk, the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder will look to open up the away defence with his technical ability, passing and vision. He could cause all sorts of problems for the Netherlands.
Prediction
Germany 1-1 Netherlands
Both teams will be desperate for a win here, and this is likely to be a cracking contest. The two sides are quite evenly matched given their injuries and suspension. It will be interesting to see who comes out on top here.
This is likely to be a close contest and it will be difficult to separate the two teams. Germany and the Netherlands could end up cancelling each other out. Both sides are likely to get on the score sheet here and they will end up sharing the spoils.