Locked on eight points at the summit of Group A2 in the UEFA Nations League (UNL), the winner of this clash between the Netherlands and Greece will take a giant step towards the finals.
Match News and Current Form
Sitting top of UNL Group A2 by virtue of goals scored, the Netherlands remain unbeaten through their opening four matches in this year’s competition (W2, D2) and on course to make a third finals appearance in five attempts. The 2018/19 runners-up have lost just one of their last nine internationals overall (W5, D3), worthy preparation for this UNL showdown, and it’s been their goalscoring in particular that has underpinned that strong form. The Dutch have netted 2+ goals in seven of those last nine outings, while their ongoing ten-match unbeaten run across competitive home internationals (W6, D4) leaves Xavi’s men primed for more success here.
Embarking upon their first-ever League A campaign, Greece continue to go from strength to strength and enter this latest matchday still unbeaten in this cycle (W2, D2). A tough defence that has allowed just three goals so far has been the bedrock of their success, as they next look to take a giant step towards a first-ever finals appearance in this competition’s history. They certainly shouldn’t be discounted on the road, as Greece have won six of their last nine competitive away internationals (D1, L2), including each of their two trips so far in this UNL cycle, while five clean sheets across those nine outings once more reinforces how defence holds the key to their success.
Head-to-Head History
Netherlands have lost just one of their 12 internationals against Greece (W9, D2), scoring 2.2 goals on average per fixture across that stint.
Hot Stats and Streaks
The Netherlands' last nine internationals saw both teams score.
The Netherlands had 5+ shots on target in seven of their last eight internationals.
Greece lost the corner count in five of their last seven competitive matches.
Greece racked up the joint-third most yellow cards in League A (10) across the opening four rounds.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Tijjani Reijnders has six goal contributions across his last 11 Netherlands’ caps (G3, A3), which includes an 89th-minute equaliser in the reverse H2H. In that same match, Greece’s Fotis Ioannidis both scored and assisted, with three of his last five international goals serving as match openers.
Virgil van Dijk withdrew from the Netherlands squad earlier this week through injury, while the Greece squad appears close to full strength.
For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.
Betting Analysis
With Netherlands’ matches proving to be high-scoring affairs of late and with both sides still unbeaten in this season’s UNL, backing the draw and both teams to score could make sense.
Author: Nathan Evans