UEFA Nations League: Netherlands vs. Croatia Preview, Odds, Betting Tips, Prediction

The Netherlands hosts the UEFA Nations League finals tournament, and their rivals in the semis are Croatia. Both teams are confident in success and see themselves capable of winning this event and the tournament in general. This particular game is at the De Kuip Stadium in Rotterdam and is set for this Wednesday. While Oranje plays fast and flamboyant football, Croatia likes to slow down the pace and search for a crack in the rival’s defense. 

Preview 

Netherlands (-105) lost to Argentina in the quarterfinals of this winter’s World Cup in Qatar. Oranje didn’t deserve to lose, but football is often very unfair, which this unit experienced on its own skin. That’s why Ronald Koeman’s crew has a mission to accomplish in the upcoming two events – to win the UNL.

However, the team wasn’t looking good in the past two events. During the start of the EURO qualifiers in March, the Netherlands was humiliated by France, losing 4-0 to the hosts. A 3-0 victory over Gibraltar didn’t wash away the shame, and that’s another motive for them to win Wednesday’s contest.

Oranje is very fluid upfront, with Gakpo and the rest of the forwards dictating the pace and the tempo. Apart from Liverpool’s new star, there aren’t some top-caliber names in this squad, particularly in the attack, which had always been the Netherlands’ pride. 

Croatia won the bronze medal in Qatar, failing to reach the second consecutive finals but still maintaining in the elite echelon of today’s football. Zlatko Dalic’s boys have yet to play some appealing football, but they overcame fantastic adversaries. 

They opened the EURO qualifiers much better than their counterparts, playing 1-1 at home against Wales, but defeating Turkey on the road, 0-2, and erasing the slip versus the Dragons. 

Luka Modric is still the brain of the unit, but several more fantastic players are preparing to take over the leading duties once Real Madrid’s player retires. Brozovic, Kovacic, and Kramaric all of them are very important players in their respective clubs.

Latest News

Wijnaldum is called up, but some don’t expect to see him start this one. The probabilities of seeing Xavi Simons in the lineup are extremely high.

Brozovic played in the UEFA Champions League finals on Saturday, but he will definitely play in this event. 

Head to Head Games

Croatia was better than the Netherlands at the 1998 World Cup in France, beating Oranje 2-1 in the game for the bronze medal. Ten years later, we’ve seen them clashing in one friendly contest, and the Netherlands triumphed 3-0. 

Prediction

The home team feels the pressure, and they have to win, otherwise, the reactions of the public will for sure take a toll on the locker room chemistry. The whole country is looking at this tournament, hoping to see their favorites win. On the other side, Croatia doesn’t have such pressure, and they are ready to keep on producing fantastic results for such a small country. They will slow down the game and be defensive-minded, so our pick here is a moderate efficiency, 2 or 3 goals. 

Pick: 2 or 3 goals +105

Here is the preview for the second semifinal game – Spain vs. Italy