Netherlands host neighbours Belgium in a friendly at the Amsterdam Arena on Wednesday.
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Danny Blind’s main focus is the World Cup qualifier in Luxembourg next Sunday but the Oranje warm up for that crucial game with a glamour friendly against local rivals Belgium in Amsterdam.
Speaking at his press conference, Blind stated that games against rivals are important but he is more bothered by the FIFA ranking points on offer. He said, “The Netherlands v Belgium is a special game. There is prestige involved in this game but more important than that are the ranking points accrued for an advantage in the eventuality of any play-off game that we might play in the future.”
Netherlands currently sit 20th in the World Rankings while Belgium are fourth, and the Red Devils have had the upper hand in meetings between the two nations recently. The Oranje go into the game looking to end a run of six games against Belgium without a win.
Belgium are using the game against Netherlands as a warm-up for their World Cup qualifier against Estonia. Roberto Martinez’s side currently top their qualifying group with three wins out of three, 13 goals scored and not one conceded.
Team News
Davy Propper, Rick Karsdorp, Quincy Promes and Terence Kongolo all pulled out of the squad earlier this week, with Bruno Martins Indi returning to the national team, along with Steven Berghuis, while PSV full-back Joshua Brenet could make his debut. Sporting Lisbon left back Marvin Zeegelaar has also been handed his first call-up and he could earn his first cap.
Arjen Robben will not play in the friendly after the KNVB made an agreement with Bayern Munich, while Wesley Sneijder is to be rested for the game against Luxembourg.
Possible Netherlands line-up: Stekelenburg, Veltman, Blind, Van Dijk, Martins Indi, Clasie, Klaassen, Wijnaldum, Lens, Memphis, Janssen
Martinez will be without the injured Marouane Fellaini, while the coach has confirmed that Mousa Dembele will be rested for the game against Estonia. Anderlecht sensation Youri Tielmans will be hoping to make his debut along with Watford’s Christian Kabasele, and Gent’s Thomas Foket.
Possible Belgium line-up: Courtois, Meunier, Cavanda, Verthongen, Ciman, Witsel, Defour, De Bruyne, Hazard, Carrasco, Lukaku
Odds
Netherlands 2/1 Draw 12/5 Belgium 13/10
Previous Meetings
Netherlands and Belgium have met each other on 127 occasions with the Oranje winning 56, while the Red Devils have come out on top in 41 of those games. However, recent meetings have gone in the favour of Belgium, who have won the last two while you have to go back to 1997 to find the last Netherlands victory.
The last game was Louis van Gaal’s first game in charge back in 2012 with Belgium winning 4-2.
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Possible Netherlands line-up: Stekelenburg, Veltman, Blind, Van Dijk, Martins Indi, Clasie, Klaassen, Wijnaldum, Lens, Memphis, Janssen
Seriously?
Veltman at RB again ? Clasie & depay in first eleven ?
Based upon the squad Blind invited and latest team news, I would suggest:
Stekelenburg, Brenet, Blind, Van Dijk, Indi, Schaars, Klassen, Wijnaldum, Berghuis, Lens, Janssen if 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 but if 5-3-2
Stekelenburg, Brenet, Veltman, Indi, Van Dijk, Blind, Schaars, Wijnaldum, Klassen, Janssen , Dost
I wouldn’t be surprised if Hazard tears Veltman to shreds. But if so its a good thing, because seeing Veltman play in person is the only thing that can convince Blind to drop him. It happened in Sept – Veltman played like garbage against Greece and Blind dropped him against Sweden for Janmaat.
Now I know Janmaat isn’t great defensively either, but he brings a lot more to the table than Veltman going forward – Brenet similarly would at least provide some attacking impetus.
With your fullbacks you often have one that hangs back more! Usually your R.B. is that guy and your left pushes forward. With the Netherlands, given their current situation, not being able to score goals (unless it’s a team like Belarus) we have to focus on keeping them out! Veltman can play on that right side, albeit, he is more that stay at home guy and won’t push forward as much! I’m not too sure how Brenet will do, but I would have taken Tete over him!
Tete…I agree as I totally forgot about him. Why Blind not call him?