Republic of Ireland host Netherlands at Aviva Stadium, Dublin, in a UEFA Euro 2024 Group B qualifier.
Victory could see Ireland move up to third if Greece lose to Gibraltar, whilst the Netherlands can stay second if they match or better Greece’s result.
Team News
Will Keane is ruled out for Ireland after he suffered an adductor injury during their defeat to France, meaning that Sinclair Armstrong and Jonathan Afolabi have been called up to strengthen their attack.
Enda Stevens (calf) is also sidelined with Matt Doherty set to return in his place, having been suspended for Ireland’s last two matches.
Netherlands have no fresh injury concerns to report coming into this match, with a full squad available for selection.
Bart Verbruggen, Micky van de Ven and Ian Maatsen are looking to make their first senior international appearances for the Dutch in Dublin.
When is Kick-Off?
Republic of Ireland host Netherlands at Aviva Stadium, Dublin, on Sunday 10 September at 7:45pm BST, televised on Viaplay in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Republic of Ireland have lost all three previous UEFA Euro qualifiers against Ireland (L3).
- Netherlands won their only previous UEFA Euro qualifier away trip to Ireland by a 3-2 result in October 1983 (W1).
- Both teams have scored in their only two previous home/away UEFA Euro qualifiers which took place in Qualifying for 1984 UEFA Euros.
- Ireland have kept just one clean sheet in their four qualifiers, which came in a 3-0 victory against Gibraltar in Dublin in June.
- Netherlands have won just two of their five matches in all competitions in 2023 (W2, L3).
Prediction
Although beating France on French soil was always an impossible task, Ireland should be happy with how well they defended to restrict the hosts to just two goals in a game where they were outclassed.
Injuries to Keane and Stevens however adds more rotten luck for this Irish team who were already missing Evan Ferguson’s firepower, which makes this game even harder unless players like Alan Browne and Adam Idah step up and can deliver a more attacking effort.
Netherlands meanwhile comfortably dispatched Greece in a clinical display and with their strong attack and solid defence, they should come here expecting to win such is their strong UEFA Euro Qualifying form against the Irish.
In fact, I seriously expect the Dutch to win this barring a shock improved performance from Ireland, but Ireland’s resilient defence should at least keep the result respectable and force the Dutch to work harder than they did against Greece.
Prediction: ROI 0-2 Netherlands
Result: ROI 1-2 Netherlands
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