UEFA Euro 2024: Group Stage – Netherlands vs France

Netherlands meet France in a blockbuster top of Group D clash at UEFA Euro 2024. 

Locked on three points apiece, victory would see Netherlands or France secure their knockout spot and sit top of Group D heading into the final round of group matches.

 

Team News

Embed from Getty Images

Netherlands have no fresh injury concerns to report after their comeback win over Poland, although Xavi Simons could be dropped in midfield following his poor performance.

France could be without Kylian Mbappe after he suffered a broken nose during their scrappy win over Austria, although he has participated in training but it is unclear if he is available for selection.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Netherlands face France at Red Bull Arena, Leipzig, on Friday 21 June at 9pm CEST (8pm UK Time), live on BBC1 in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Excluding penalty shootouts, Netherlands are unbeaten in three previous meetings against France at European Championships (W2, D1).
• France’s only clean sheet against Netherlands at Euros came in June 1996 when they played out a 0-0 draw in at Anfield in the Quarter-Finals which Les Bleus won on penalties.
• France’s Kylian Mbappe scored four goals across their two Euro Qualifiers against Netherlands (W2).
• Each of Wout Weghorst’s last four goals for Netherlands came after half-time.
• Austria’s Maximilian Wober’s own-goal winner in their opening group game marked the first time in 12 matches that France had an own-goal in their favour since Gibraltar’s Aymen Moulhi in June 2023.

 

Prediction

Despite their attacking dominance against Poland, Netherlands seemed to lack much sparkle and end product so I would like to see them show more energy and composure here against tougher opposition if want to win this group.

France meanwhile were simply lucky to beat Austria because they were incredibly wasteful in open play and if not for an own-goal, they would of deserved a goalless draw or loss but they now need to steep up and show more composure in their end product if want to win this game.

Either way there is work for both teams to do from an attacking perspective so I do expect this game to be really difficult if they both go defensive to try and not lose this game, but France should have the edge if there is a winner.

Prediction: Netherlands 1-1 France

Result: Netherlands 0-0 France