Friday, December 13, 2024

Prediction: Netherlands vs Hungary

Verdict: Netherlands win & Both teams to score

Best Odds: 2/1

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Seeking a much-needed Nations League boost on Saturday night, the Netherlands will welcome Hungary to Amsterdam.

Netherlands

Starting with the hosts, while the Netherlands might have gained plenty of plaudits over the summer as they punched a EURO 24 semi-final spot, Ronald Koeman’s men have struggled to find any real stability over the past couple of months. Despite getting their Nations League adventure underway on September 7th with an action-packed 5-2 win against Bosnia & Herzegovina, that is the only victory that Holland have collected from any of their first four League A appearances. Last seen putting in a toothless performance as they fell to a 1-0 loss at the hands of historic rivals Germany, Koeman will have a headache over his side’s extended issues at the back. Continuing on from the summer, Holland have failed to record a clean sheet in any of their last five matchups across all competitions.

Team News

Aston Villa defender Ian Matasen has withdrawn from from Koeamn’s squad after picking up a recent injury issue. However, while there might have been plenty of speculation over Frenkie de Jong’s fitness, the Barcelona has joined up with Holland’s squad.

However, despite making the move to Brazilian giants Corinthians over the summer, the one-time Manchester United star has not been handed an international recall. Although Joshua Zirkzee might have failed to make any kind of impact since arriving at Old Trafford, the ex-Bologna striker has been included.

Hungary

As for the visitors, picking up a maiden Nations League victory last month as they collected a 2-0 victory away at Bosnia & Herzegovina, Marco Rossi’s men are desperate to use that performance as a platform to build on. However, enduring what was a real EURO 24 struggle over the summer as they failed to book a knockout stage ticket, the Tricolours are seeking some recent stability. Getting their League A campaign underway with a 5-0 defeat away at Germany on September 7th, Saturday’s guests have won just a pair of their previous seven matchups across all competitions. Still with a real battle on their hands in the race to keep hold of their League A status, Hungary will be bracing themselves for what should be another stern challenge in Amsterdam.

Team News

In what is a real blow for Hungary this weekend, they will be without Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez due to a recent injury issue. Liverpool ace Dominik Szoboszlai will lead out Rossi’s squad in Amsterdam and will earn a 50th international cap here.

While Roland Sallai might still be waiting to open his account after arriving at Turkish giants Galatasaray over the summer, the former Freiburg striker should lead Hungary’s attack. Arriving at Championship outfit Plymouth back in August, Kornel Szucs should feature at the back.

Key Factors to Consider

    • When the Netherlands and Hungary met for their reverse Nations League showdown on October 11th, Saturday’s opponents played out a 1-1 stalemate in Budapest.
    • However, Holland claimed a sensational 8-1 romp when they last welcomed Hungary to Amsterdam back in 2013.
    • Koeman’s men have collected 10 points from their previous four meetings against Hungary across all competitions.
    • In fact, the Netherlands are unbeaten in all of their previous nine straight meetings against Saturday’s guests – a run that stems all the way back to 1984.
    • Hungary have seen five of their previous six appearances finish with under 2.5 goals.

    Conclusion

    Without a win from any of their previous three consecutive Nations League appearances, the Netherlands are seeking a much-welcomed boost here. Although Koeamn’s men might have been forced to settle for a 1-1 stalemate when they travelled to Budapest last month, Saturday’s hosts will be excited by a dominant record against Hungary. Including a remarkable 8-1 romp when they welcomed the Triclours to Amsterdam back in 2013, they are unbeaten in all of their previous nine straight meetings. Although the European giants might still be seeking some crucial stability at the back, they are rightfully installed as a standout contender here. Not suffering a single defeat on home soil over the past 13 months, we are backing an enjoyable home victory.

    Verdict: Netherlands win & Both teams to score

    Best Odds: 2/1

    Bookmaker: Dachbet

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    Tom Dunstan


    Formerly of The Independent, Tom has spent the past six years as one of our senior writers and betting experts. Alongside working with numerous publications from across the globe, Tom also graduated from the University of Falmouth in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Digital Media.
    Spending almost the past decade working in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada, he has also spent time featuring in sports radio. Tom can be followed on Instagram - @iamtomdunstan

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