Holland-Belgium is the sixth match of the Nations League on Sunday at 20:45.
Both sides lived up to expectations this week, with Poland and Wales coming through without any major problems. They now face a grand finale in the ‘Johan Cruijff Arena’ clash for first place, although the Netherlands – currently three points ahead of their cousins – have three out of three results to win the Nations League Final Four for the second time in their history. Louis van Gaal’s Oranje have a not inconsiderable advantage, having scrapped Belgium 4-1 in the first leg in Brussels. What does that mean? It means they would secure first place even if they lost by two goals, because then the goal difference in the first leg would be the deciding factor.
Infinite chances then for Roberto Martinez’s Red Devils, who will try to extend their positive streak of three wins and a draw. The real objective for De Bruyne and his team-mates is to be protagonists at the next World Cup, avoiding ‘archiving’ a fantastic and perhaps unrepeatable generation without any major victories. The Netherlands, completely reborn after the unsuccessful European Championship thanks to the skilful hand of an experienced selector such as van Gaal, is also highly motivated. In this Nations League, the Tulips have been practically perfect so far: the only false step was the home draw (2-2) in June with Poland, beaten 2-0 in the return leg last Thursday. A match in which the head coach even had the luxury of making a few rotations in the starting line-up.
Tielemans and De Bruyne
The Prediction
Holland and Belgium are likely to produce a spectacular, entertaining match in which both sides will score. The two most prolific attacks in the group – in the five group stage matches they scored a total of 24 goals – will clash and the script should not change in Amsterdam. The Netherlands will in all likelihood avoid defeat, thus sealing qualification for the Final Four, in a match with at least three goals in total.
The Netherlands-Belgium likely line-up
- LAND (3-5-2): Pasveer; Timber, van Dijk, Aké; Dumfries, de Roon, de Jong, Berghuis, Blind; Bergwijn, Gakpo.
- BELGIUM (3-4-2-1): Courtois; Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Theate; Castagne, Tielemans, Witsel, Carrasco; De Bruyne, Hazard; Batshuayi.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-2
