The Netherlands will bid to return to winning ways when they travel to Zenica to face Bosnia & Herzegovina in the UEFA Nations League on Sunday.
Frank De Boer made an underwhelming start to his tenure as manager when the Dutch lost 1-0 in a midweek friendly against Mexico. However, they should fare better when they face an exhausted Bosnian side this weekend.
Van Dijk Leads the Charge
The Netherlands went all the way to the final of the UEFA Nations League last year. They lost 1-0 to Portugal, but it was a highly encouraging campaign. Manager Ronald Koeman then left to the reins at Barcelona, leaving Dwight Lodeweges to fill in on an interim basis.
He led the Dutch to an impressive 1-0 victory over Poland in their Nations League opener, but they then lost 1-0 to Italy in their second game.
The Netherlands boast an extremely strong defence, led by Liverpool talisman Virgil Van Dijk. Juventus star Matthijs de Ligt and Man City’s Nathan Aké are competing for a starting berth alongside him.
The Dutch also have a great deal of quality in midfield. Barca’s Frenkie de Jong should come back into the side, while Georginio Wijnaldum, Donny van de Beek, Marten de Roon, Kevin Strootman and Teun Koopmeiners are vying for the other places.
Low-Scoring Affair Anticipated
A lack of goals is the only real weakness for this team. They do not have an out-and-out goalscorer in their ranks, but Memphis Depay, Quincy Promes, Luuk de Jong and Ryan Babel should provide enough quality going forwards to see off the opposition.
Bosnia & Herzegovina played a gruelling European Championship qualifier against Northern Ireland on Thursday night. It went to extra-time and then penalties, whereby they suffered a heart-breaking defeat.
They have two very good players in Miralem Pjanic and Edin Dzeko, but they lack quality elsewhere, and the visitors should prevail on Sunday.
Tip: Netherlands to win and under 4.5 goals at 7/10 (1.70) with Betway
Stake: One unit
