Netherlands host Wales at De Kuip, Rotterdam in a crucial Group 4 clash in League A of 2022-23 UEFA Nations League.
Victory would see Netherlands stay top of the group, whereas a win would see Wales move off the foot of the group if Poland lose at home to Belgium in Warsaw.
Team News
Jurrien Timber is a doubt for Netherlands due to fatigue and could be replaced in defence by Matthijs de Ligt.
Jasper Cillessen (knock) is also considered a doubt and could be replaced in goal by Brighton’s Kjell Scherpen, who is chasing his first senior international cap.
Wales will be without Joe Allen after the midfielder suffered a hamstring injury in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Belgium.
Rhys Norrington-Davies is suspended for this match after he picked up his second booking of the competition at the weekend.
Stat Attack
- Netherlands are looking to extend their unbeaten record against Wales to 10 matches in all competitions (W9).
- Wales are winless in five previous away matches against the Netherlands (L5), having conceded 16 goals across all five previous visits.
- Netherlands have conceded just once in a home match against Wales – which came courtesy of Dean Saunders in an eventual 7-1 home win for the Dutch in November 1996.
- Three of Netherlands’ seven goals scored at home in 2022 have been scored by Steven Bergwijn.
- Wales have scored in 11 of their last 12 matches across all competitions (W5, D5, L2), with their only blank coming in a goalless draw at home to Estonia in September 2021 in World Cup Qualifying.
Prediction
Sat top of the group following Saturday’s gutsy comeback 2-2 draw at home to Poland, Netherland know that victory plus a draw between Poland and Belgium would put the Oranje on the brink of qualifying for the knockout stage.
Wales though can take heart from how they matched Belgium on Saturday in pace and quality to snatch a late equaliser amidst excellent saves from Belgium’s Koen Casteels, even though poor marking was at fault for the conceded opener.
This match though feels like it is the Netherlands’ to lose if they’re at their best but if Wales can clinically execute their chances and defend well, anything could happen but Rob Page’s Welsh Dragons need a huge slice of luck given their dreadful form in this fixture.
Prediction: Netherlands 2-1 Wales
Result: Netherlands 3-2 Wales