Two historic European rivals face off in the Euro 2020 qualifiers as the Netherlands host Germany
Netherlands have lately seemed to have been back on the come up as one of the European elite nations especially towards the late 2018 when they won their Nations League group over France and Germany to reach the Semis.
Germany are coming off one of their worst, if not the worst years in nations history in football as they not only were knocked out from the World Cup group stages, but were also relegated to Nations League League B alongside that. Absolutely nothing went right for Germany in the past 12 months.
Netherlands are entering this game on some fantastic form. They are unbeaten in 5 straight games in which they beat France, Germany, picked up away draws at Belgium and Germany and are currently coming off a 4-0 win over Belarus in their Euro 2020 Qualifying opener.
Germany are playing terrible football lately. Obviously as mentioned their whole 2018 was terrible but their start to 2019 wasn’t any better either as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home against Serbia in a Friendly. It may be just a friendly, but normally Germany would dispatch a team like Serbia but they couldn’t this time. Germany won just 2 of their last 7 games.
Netherlands are showing exceptional home form. They won each of their last 6 competitive matches scoring 19 goals and conceding just 1. Some of their notable wins at home would be 2-0 vs Sweden, 3-0 vs Germany and 2-0 vs France in this stretch. Netherlands have really been putting it on for their fans recently at home.
Germany’s away form is tragic. They haven’t won an away game since October 2017 and have lost 4 of their last 5 (1 draw) on their travels since that last away win. Notable defeats came to Netherlands 3-0 and France 2-1. Clearly Germany don’t do well on their travels right now.
Memphis Depay is the man to watch for Netherlands going forward. Memphis has not been quite as good for Lyon, but he’s been sensational for the Netherlands lately scoring 4 in last 5 competitive games including bagging a brace in the most recent game against Belarus. Defensive duo of Van Dijk and De Ligt will also be key for the Dutch as this strong partnership is really establishing as one of the best in the international football and will be extremely hard to break down.
As for Germany, Leroy Sane has to be the man to watch. He’s not been given a proper chance yet for Germany, but his season for Man City justifies him being the most dangerous man as long as Joachim Low doesn’t decide to drop him for whatever reason. His pace and creativity could cause a lot of problems for the Dutch. Marco Reus is another man to watch considering his season for Dortmund and a good record for Germany overall. These two can definitely provide to break down the Netherlands here.
Netherlands and Germany as mentioned multiple times have faced each other already in the past few months and did it TWICE in the Nations League. Netherlands won the home game 3-0 and then picked up a 2-2 draw in Germany with 2 late goals to clinch the top spot in the group in what was quite a crazy finish. Netherlands definitely have the H2H edge lately.
Netherlands are bookies favourites to win this game offered at 2.38 while Germany are 3.10 with the draw tipped at 3.55. Odds based on Unibet.
Team News
Netherlands: There are no serious injury concerns for the Dutch, expect a full strength squad out there.
Germany: Leroy Sane had a horror tackle made on him but he should be able to start for Germany. Otherwise no changes from their game against Serbia, unless Low decides to rotate.
Stats
6 of last 10 Netherlands competitive home games have had Over 2.5 goals.
8 of last 10 Germany’s competitive away games have had Over 2.5 goals.
Netherlands have won 6 of their last 7 overall competitive games. 1L
Germany have won just 1 of their last 7 overall competitive games. 2D 4L.
Germany have yet to beat a team ranked in the top 20 since the World Cup. 2D 2L.
KICK OFF – 24th March 2019 – 7:45pm UK Time
.png?v=1.014689135)
