It’s the first Euro 2020 Qualification break of the season and it’s packed with great matches. For our pick of the week, we take a closer look at Germany versus the Netherlands. Despite having a great squad, the Netherlands are far from qualified. Losing this match against their neighbour rivals will put them back at least two wins from Northern Island for second spot and three matches against Germany for the top spot. Low’s German squad went through a rejuvenation and experienced a blooming period with only wins in the qualification thus far. Last year saw some dramatic editions of GER vs NL in both the Nation’s League as well as the European Qualifiers. Both sides winning one. So, how should we approach this weekends encounter?
Key Players Close Up
The Netherlands has three (upcoming) mega stars: Virgil van Dijk, Mathijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong. Virgil does hardly require any introduction; what more can we say about this beast of a defender that hasn’t already been written. Winning the UEFA player of the year award (and breaking the dominance of Messi and Ronaldo!) is just another confirmation of what everybody already knew. De Ligt and De Jong are tomorrows star players. Both former Ajax players have been rewarded with a transfer to Barcelona and Juventus, but thus far are still adapting to their new surroundings. This game with a well known squad and coach will come as a welcome variety for them.
Besides these names though, the dutch squad still has some weak points. Especially in offence, which is weird for a country that always had access to players such as Berkamp, van Persie and van Nistelrooy.
Germany has so many fantastic players that we can first make a list of superstars not being in the selection: Hummels, Boateng and Sané are all left out the National team for these qualifiers. Players that would make most countries a lot better. There are still enough big names to go around, just look at the goal keepers; what other country has the luxury to choose between Neuer and Ter Stegen? After the dramatic appearance of Germany during the 2018 World Cup though, Low decided to go for a team of young and talented players. You can see the stars of the future playing today.
Our prediction
Germany is slightly favourite and it shows in the odds. The germans play on their turf and have been consistent in putting up results for almost a year now, while the Nations League finalists follow up good games with bad ones. Though with such good odds for a tie and both teams likely to score, we predict a tie is a realistic result in the confrontation between these neighbours. With odds close to 4.00x your bet, it is worth a gamble!
