Netherlands host Belgium on Sunday in the final UEFA Nations League group game. Kick off is at 19.45.

After the 2-0 victory over Poland, Netherlands remains top of the group and three points ahead of Belgium going into the clash on Sunday.

Louis van Gaal is using these games as a warm-up for the World Cup but he also wants to keep the unbeaten run going. Since he took charge, Netherlands has won nine games and drawn three.

Belgium defeated Wales 2-1 in midweek and they still have a chance of overtaking Netherlands and winning the group, but they must score four times.

If both nations finish with the same number of points, the group winner is decided by head to head between the two. Netherlands won the reverse fixture 4-1 in Belgium meaning the visitors must win big to prevent Oranje from winning the group.

Team News

Netherlands go into the game without Frenkie de Jong, Memphis Depay and Teun Koopmeiners, who picked up injuries in the win over Poland. Ryan Gravenberch and Brian Brobbey have been called up and the latter could make his debut.

Van Gaal may choose to experiment with his eleven and Davy Klaassen is set to start. Steven Berghuis is a doubt.

Possible Netherlands line-up: Cillessen, Dumfries, Malacia, De Ligt, Van Dijk, Ake, De Roon, Taylor, Klaassen, Bergwijn, Janssen

Belgium has no Romelu Lukaku due to injury, meaning Michy Batshuayi should start up front. Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne will complete the attack.

A number of former Eredivisie players could feature including Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld, Wout Faes and Lois Openda.

Possible Belgium line-up: Courtois; Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Theate; Castagne, Tielemans, Witsel, Carrasco; De Bruyne, Hazard; Batshuayi

Odds

Netherlands 13/10 Draw 5/2 Belgium 2/1

Can Netherlands win without Frenkie and Memphis?

This game will be a big test for Netherlands without two of their key players in De Jong and Memphis. Can Van Gaal’s side maintain their performance without those two in the eleven.

Belgium need to go big for the win and that may open up some space for Netherlands on the counter through Bergwijn, who remains in great form for Oranje.

Winning the group would be great for Netherlands but more importantly, Van Gaal will want to see a good performance in the final game before the World Cup begins in November.




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