Netherlands travel to Estonia on Monday evening looking to build on their excellent win over Germany. Kick-off is at 7.45pm.
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Netherlands are full of confidence at the moment after their excellent 4-2 victory over Germany last Friday.
Serge Gnabry had given the Germans an early lead but Netherlands fought back in the second half with Frenkie de Jong levelling before Jonathan Tah netted an own goal. Toni Kroos equalised with a harsh penalty, but Donyell Malen restored Oranje’s lead on his debut before Georginio Wijnaldum wrapped up a famous victory.
The win boosts Netherlands chances of reaching Euro 2020 and puts them closer to group leaders Northern Ireland, who currently sit on 12 points, six ahead of Ronald Koeman’s side.
With the two games against Germany now out of the way, Netherlands will look to win their remaining group games to top the table, starting with Estonia on Monday in Tallinn.
Koeman expects his team to be just as motivated against Estonia as they were against Germany. He told his press conference, “We will have the ball a lot and play halfway. I don’t think there is an extra motivation because of last Friday. That was very important after our home defeat against Germany, but tomorrow’s game is completely different.
“The motivation must always be with the team, regardless of the opponent. That is also part of the development of the team. That they show that they are growing, also in a different kind of competition.”
Estonia currently sit bottom of the group with four losses out of four. On Friday, Estonia lost 2-1 at home to Belarus.
Team News
Koeman has no fresh injury worries after the win over Germany but could make changes to his starting eleven.
With Estonia likely to line up defensively, Koeman may choose the more attack-minded Davy Propper in midfield instead of Marten de Roon. At right-back, Koeman must decide whether to continue with Denzel Dumfries, who had a tough night against Germany, or switch to Joel Veltman.
Possible Netherlands line-up: Cillessen, Dumfries, Van Dijk, De Ligt, Blind, De Jong, Propper, Wijnaldum, Promes, Babel, Memphis
Possible Estonia line-up: Lepmets, Teniste, Pikk, Klavan, Tamm, Mets, Kait, Vassilev, Ojamaa, Zenjov, Sorga
Odds
Estonia 50/1 Draw 11/1 Netherlands 1/12
Head to Head
Netherlands have faced Estonia four times since 2001, with three of those games ending in comfortable victories.
However, during the qualifying campaign for the 2014 World Cup, Netherlands were held to a 2-2 draw in Tallinn. Only a 95th minute penalty from Robin van Persie stopped Netherlands from suffering an embarrassing defeat.
Can Netherlands get the victory?
The win over Germany was excellent but it counts for nothing if Netherlands don’t defeat Estonia on Monday.
The hosts have lost all their qualifiers and head into the game with little confidence. They will look to frustrate Koeman’s side, who will be looking to score an early goal to ease any pressure.
Netherlands are a side in great form at the moment and with Memphis Depay, Georginio Wijnaldum and Frenkie de Jong looking in form last Friday, they should have far too much strength for Estonia.
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I don’t think De Roon played as badly as some thought against Germany (he mopped up well defensively on several occasions) but against a team like Estonia i’m in favor of putting Propper in his place, who is more offensive minded.
With Estonian counterattacks likely to be rarer than other teams might provide, both he and Wijnaldum should be willing to make more forward runs to pressurize the defense. Propper was used to great effect as a #10 against both Bulgaria and Belarus late in the 2018 qualifying campaign.
Marten de Roon is suspended on this game due to his yellow card against Germany last Friday
Netherlands win!
Netherlands over power and win comfy