Holland-Greece is a match on the fifth day of Group B of Euro 2024 qualifiers and is played on Thursday at 8:45 pm: predictions.
The Netherlands was engaged in the final phase of the Nations League in June and compared to the other selections included in Group B played a few fewer matches.
Ronald Koeman’s second adventure at the helm of the Oranje, however, had not started under the best auspices: ready to go and on the first day van Dijk and his teammates had been literally overwhelmed by France. A 4-0 without appeal that immediately defined the hierarchies within the grouping. However, all is not lost: at the European Championships, in fact, the top two in each group qualify and the Netherlands will only need to finish second to secure a pass to Euro 2024. Making up ground is the number one goal ahead of the double-header against Greece and Ireland – the two selections that could threaten Koeman’s men – who are currently ahead in the standings. The Irish have won a game like the Netherlands but have played an extra game, while the Hellenes have six points after their success over Gibraltar and after winning the direct clash with Ireland.
Led by former Chelsea midfielder Gus Poyet, Greece did not disfigure in France either, limiting themselves to conceding only one goal (1-0) despite playing with 10 men in the last 20 minutes due to the expulsion of defender Mavropanos – in the summer he switched from Stuttgart to West Ham – who will therefore miss the match in Eindhoven.
Baldock
The last precedent between these two selections dates back to a friendly in September 2016: surprisingly, in an away match, the Hellenes got the better of it. It will be a re-staffed Netherlands that will take the field at the Philips Stadion: in addition to Depay, Bergwijn, Timber, Botman, Bijlow, Malacia, Brobbey and Gravenberch will be missing from the roll call.
The prediction
Greece has already set itself up as a possible surprise in this grouping, but the feeling is that its hopes go through the challenge in Eindhoven, against a Netherlands that desperately needs a win to get back on track. In the first four games of the Koeman 2.0 management, goals were always seen in abundance, never less than three overall. Likely Greece, while unable to avoid defeat, will manage to score at least one goal.
The probable lineups of Netherlands-Greece
- OLAND (4-2-3-1): Noppert; Dumfries, Geertruida, van Dijk, Aké; Wieffer, de Jong; Malen, Gakpo, Lang; Weghorst.
- GREECE (4-2-3-1): Vlachodimos; Baldock, Tzavellas, Chatzidiakos, Tsimikas; Siopis, Kourbelis; Masouras, Bakasetas, Mantalos; Giakoumakis.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
