England kick off the first of two friendlies at the Amsterdam Arena as they travel to face Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands.
This game marks Koeman’s home debut as the Oranjes’ manager in his first country management job.
Team news
Ronald Koeman has handed the Netherlands captaincy to Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk for this match.
Other than that, there is no other concerns to report for the Flying Dutchmen.
Jordan Pickford is set to start in goal for England whilst Jordan Henderson captains the side.
Arsenal midfielder, Jack Wilshire has been ruled out of this game with a knee injury. He is however expected to be fit for Tuesday’s home friendly against Italy.
Form
Netherlands are in form, winning their last five with clean sheets in their last three matches,
At home, the Dutch last lost nearly a year ago against Italy in this very stadium, winning their last four home matches since then.
England come here on a six match unbeaten run since losing a friendly 3-2 last June in France.
In that run, they scored in their last four World Cup qualifiers before drawing 0-0 against Germany and Brazil in November.
Stat Attack
- England are without a win in seven against Netherlands, losing the last two after drawing previous four.
- That winless run have all come in friendlies, meaning that England’s last competitive fixture was in qualifying for 1994 FIFA World Cup when lost 2-0.
- Gareth Southgate is the 13th England manager to face Netherlands whilst Ronald Koeman becomes the first Netherlands boss to face England in his opening match.
- England are yet to win a friendly under Gareth Southgate, having drawn three and lost twice.
Prediction
England need to be at their best here because the Netherlands are a strong side with likes of van Dijk, Nathan Ake, Marten de Roon and Memphis Depay in their squad.
As much as I want England to win, my gut feeling tells me that this will be a draw.
Prediction: Netherlands 1-1 England
Result: Netherlands 0-1 England