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UEFA Nations League - Netherlands VS Spain Prediction
UEFA Nations League - Netherlands VS Spain
Match Time:21-03-2025 03:45 Friday (GMT+8)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips
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The Netherlands
Ronald Koeman had to make a lot of selection decisions when naming his squad, although the manager has seen the likes of Denzel Dumfries and Jerdy Schouten withdraw with injury issues. The duo joins Nathan Ake, Stefan de Vrij and Devyne Rensch on the sidelines. Micky van de Ven has not been called up probably owing to his recent fitness issues, as the defender might need time to return to his best self.
Koeman also made some notable players sit out of the squad this time, with Joshua Zirkzee, Wout Weghorst, Marten de Roon and Quinten Timber not being called up. In the defence, with Dumfries and Ake absent, Jurrien Timber and Jorrel Hato are expected to play in the full-back roles.
Virgil van Dijk and Matthijs de Ligt are likely to pair up at the heart of the defence. Liverpool star Ryan Gravenberch will certainly play in central midfield, with Barcelona man Frenkie de Jong likely to join him there.
Tijjani Reijnders might get the nod ahead of fellow Serie A star Teun Koopmeiners in the attacking midfield role, while Xavi Simons and Cody Gakpo take up the wide attacking roles. While Memphis Depay was named in the squad, Ajax man Brian Brobbey will lead the line for the Netherlands against Spain.
Spain
There have been some notable withdrawals for Spain ahead of this international round, with Inigo Martinez, Marc Casado and Bryan Zaragoza all pulling out of the squad.
Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio has received his first national team call-up, while Luis de la Fuente has also included Dutch-born Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen in his setup. It might be a bit dramatic for the Bournemouth wonderkid to debut against his nation of birth, although he might at best start on the bench.
While Unai Simon has returned to the fold once again, de la Fuente might continue to select David Raya as his No.1 from here on, thus rewarding the Arsenal man for an exceptional season so far. Pau Cubarsi and Robin :e Normand are poised to take the central defensive roles for Spain against the Netherlands, with Premier League pair Pedro Porro and Marc Cucurella in the full-back positions.
Martin Zubimendi will continue to feature in the base of the Spanish midfield in the absence of Rodri, with Fabian Ruiz and Pedri expected to play either side of the Real Sociedad enforcer. Alvaro Morata has had an inconsistent season so far but has made it to the national side, as he leads the line. Young wingers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams feature on either side of the experienced striker.
Netherlands possible starting lineup:
Verbruggen; Frimpong, De Ligt, Van Dijk, J. Timber; Gravenberch, De Jong, Reijnders; Simons, Brobbey, Gakpo
Spain possible starting lineup:
Simon; Porro, Cubarsi, Le Normand, Cucurella; Ruiz, Zubimendi, Pedri; Yamal, Morata, N. Williams
Netherlands vs Spain Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
The two teams have crossed paths 12 times in all competitions. The hosts have been the better side in these meetings, recording six wins. La Roja are not far behind with four wins while two games have ended in draws.
Oranje are unbeaten in their last three games in this fixture. They last met in a friendly in 2020 and played in a 1-1 draw.
Four of the last five meetings between them have produced under 2.5 goals.
The Netherlands were unbeaten at home in the league phase of the competition, winning two of their three games. They scored 11 goals in these games.
Spain are unbeaten in their last nine games in the Nations League and have kept five clean sheets in that period.
Oranje are unbeaten in their four home games in this fixture, though all games were friendlies.
Prediction: Netherlands 1-2 Spain
First legs can often be cagey affairs and a closely-contested battle between these two European giants could well be on the cards on Thursday. Although the Netherlands have recently excelled on home soil, we are backing Spain to claim a first-leg advantage, albeit a narrow one.
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