Netherlands finish their World Cup qualifying campaign with a difficult trip to Istanbul to face a Turkey side needing a win.

  • By Michael Bell
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net v turLouis van Gaal’s Dutch side have sailed through the group so far, with the draw in Estonia the only blip on a perfect record so far.

They will travel to Istanbul on the back of Friday’s 8-1 demolition of Hungary, with an in form Robin van Persie full of confidence after breaking Partrick Kluiverts record as Netherlands all time leading scorer.

Turkey start the game level on points with Romania, who host Estonia, and need to equal or better their score to finish 2nd and enter the play-offs.

Under new coach Fatih Terim, Turkey are so far unbeaten with Fridays 2-0 win in Estonia the 3rd victory, and clean sheet of his newest spell in charge.

The home side will look to use the atmosphere in the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadyumu as their 12th man, and the Dutch players will be in for a tough time to quell the support.

After receiving a yellow card in the victory over Hungary, Nigel de Jong is suspended while Kevin Strootman will miss out due to injury. Feyenoord midfielder’s Jordy Clasie, and Norwich’s Leroy Fer are set to replace them.

Wesley Sneijder, and Dirk Kuyt will be eager to start the game against the country where both play there club football, but the latter will have to settle for a bench role, while Sneijder should start instead of Van der Vaart. In another change Feyenoord centre back Bruno Martins Indi is set to replace Jeffrey Bruma.

Turkey will be without the injured Nuri Sahin, and the suspended Caner Erkin as they look to defeat the Dutch for the first time since 1998.

The reverse fixture in Amsterdam saw Netherlands record a 2-0 victory last September with Robin van Persie and Luciano Narsingh netting the goals.

Possible line ups:

Turkey- Demirel, Gonul, Kaya, Toprak, Kaldirim, Topal, Inan, Tore, Turan, Bulut, Yilmaz

Netherlands- Vorm, Janmaat, Blind,Martins-Indi, Vlaar, Sneijder, Clasie, Fer, Robben, Lens, Van Persie

Conclusion:

Netherlands need the win for an outside chance of being among the top seeded teams for the World Cup draw, and Van Gaal will select his strongest XI. The game will be the toughest test for Netherlands so far in this group, and one that they will hopefully pass with preparations for next summer underway.




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