Netherlands vs Northern Ireland betting tips: Euro 2020 Qualifier match preview & predictions
Netherlands vs Northern Ireland prediction: Netherlands 3-0 Northern Ireland
Part two of four of qualifiers against European heavyweights for Northern Ireland.
It was always going to be an almighty task for Michael O’Neil’s side to finish above either Germany or Netherlands but, if they are to pull off this miracle, they probably need a result here.
Will it be a famous night in Rotterdam for the Green and White Army?
Highlights of Germany 2-4 Netherlands
Highlights of Northern Ireland 0-2 Germany
Netherlands vs Northern Ireland: Who will win?
Netherlands are overwhelming favourites at 2/11 to come out on top in this clash.
Northern Ireland meanwhile are 14/1 to to leave De Kuip with the unlikeliest of victories.
A draw, which would still be an amazing result for the visitors, is 11/2.
Over 2.5 goals is 4/7.
Both teams to score no is 8/15.
Netherlands to win and both teams to score no is 4/6.
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – NOVEMBER 16: Memphis Depay of the Netherlands celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal from the penalty spot as Hugo Lloris of France reacts during the UEFA Nations League Group A match between Netherlands and France at the Stadion Feijenoord on November 16, 2018 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
Memphis Depay is likely to be his side’s main threat. The Olympique Lyonnais man is 13/5 to score first and 4/5 to net anytime.
Donyell Malen meanwhile has been on fire for his club side PSV Eindhoven. He is 7/2 to break the deadlock and 6/5 to add to his one international goal.
Josh Magennis has been the man for the big occasion so far for Northern Ireland. He is 16/1 to open the scoring and 5/1 to score anytime.
Both Malen and Memphis to score is 3/1.
Both Georginio Wijnaldum and Quincy Promes to score is 17/2.
Both Kyle Lafferty and Magennis to score is 50/1.
Both Steven Davis and Magennis to score is 110/1.
Netherlands vs Northern Ireland: Match preview
BASEL, SWITZERLAND – JUNE 21: Holland fans pictured during the UEFA EURO 2008 Quarter-Final match between Netherlands and Russia at St. Jakob-Park on June 21, 2008 in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Netherlands are back as a major player in international football.
Despite clinching bronze at the 2014 World Cup, they then failed to qualify for either Euro 2016 and then World Cup 2018.
Holland have only failed to qualify for six tournaments since 1972 but two of those have come in the last three years.
But, this time last year, they announced that they were back amongst the elite.
Twelve months ago, they finished above France and Germany to top their UEFA Nations League A group.
That means they qualified for the first ever UEFA Nations League Finals and were drawn against England in the semi-finals.
England went in front at Estádio D. Afonso Henriques but Matthijs de Ligt equalised to force extra time.
In the additional half hour, an own goal and a tap-in from Quincy Promes saw Netherlands through to the showpiece final.
There, they met hosts Portugal at Estádio do Dragão and were edged out 1-0 in a close game.
Despite the feel good factor, they still needed to do the job in this qualification campaign.
Their first match of the qualifiers was a 4-0 demolition of Belarus at home but, three days later, Amsterdam was silenced as they lost 3-2 at home to Germany.
Nevertheless, just last month, they got their revenge on their biggest rivals.
Frenkie de Jong, Donyell Malen and Georginio Wijnaldum all got on the scoresheet in a 4-2 victory in Hamburg.
That was followed by a 4-2 victory in Tallinn over Estonia; Babel, Memphis and Wijnaldum again doing the damage.
Ronald Koeman’s side are currently third in the table but have a game in hand due to their Nations League Finals commitments.
A win here would take them above their visitors so will Rotterdam be rocking once again?
Northern Ireland’s night in Rotterdam?
ROME, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 22: A general view of UEFA Euro Trophy in the Stadio Olinpico during the UEFA Euro Roma 2020 Official Logo unveiling at Palazzo delle Armi on September 22, 2016 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
This campaign was always going to be bizarre.
Northern Ireland’s start to qualification could not have been any better.
Back in March, they kicked off with a 2-0 home win over Estonia.
Then, three days later, Josh Magennis’ 87th minute goal saw them to a narrow 2-1 victory over Belarus, also at Windsor Park.
Then, in June, they faced the same opponents in the same order but it was always going to be far tougher as both were away from home this time.
First up, they were in Tallinn but found themselves a goal down at half time.
But, Conor Washington equalised in the 77th minute before Magennis won it less than three minutes later.
Three days later in Barysaŭ, they left it late for a third game running.
It took them until the 86th minute to break Belarus down but Paddy McNair’s first international goal was enough to secure a 1-0 win.
Four wins out of four.
However, last month saw them begin their four-match marathon against two of Europe’s most powerful footballing nations.
In a really tight game at Windsor Park and Northern Ireland missed chances but, in the end, Germany left 2-0 winners.
It’s unlikely that Michael O’Neil’s side will topple either Germany or Netherlands but, even if they don’t, all hope is not lost.
Despite the fact they finished last in the UEFA Nations League B overall rankings, they’re still all but guaranteed a play-off place in March 2020.
Thus, they must give there all even if just in preparation for that.
Will it be a famous night in the Netherlands for the Green and White Army?
Netherlands team news vs Northern Ireland
Matthijs de Ligt of Holland during the UEFA Nations League A group 1 qualifying match between Germany and The Netherlands at the Veltins Arena on November 19, 2018 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)
Ronald Koeman’s side is full of familiar faces and world renowned stars.
As ever, Jasper Cillessen will be in goal and will win his 53rd cap.
Matthijs de Ligt will partner Virgil van Dijk at centre-back; the best pairing in international football?
Daley Blind will continue at left-back and Denzel Dumfries will get the nod over Joël Veltman on the other side.
Donny van de Beek missed the last international window but is likely to come in for Davy Pröpper.
Frenkie de Jong and Georginio Wijnaldum will make up the midfield trio.
Further forward, Memphis has been playing as an auxiliary centre-forward in recent months but will be back out wide here.
That’s because Donyell Malen can’t stop scoring for PSV Eindhoven.
He’s netted 16 times in 17 appearances this season already and scored on his international debut in Germany last month.
Quincy Promes will make up, what is still, a very fluid front three.
Ryan Babel, Steven Bergwijn and Justin Kluivert will be left out.
Will this Oranje side blow Northern Ireland away?
Northern Ireland team news vs Netherlands
BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND – NOVEMBER 09: Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier Play-Off first leg between Northern Ireland and Switzerland at Windsor Park on November 9, 2017 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
As for Michael O’Neil’s team, containment and tight defending will most certainly be the name of the game.
Despite the fact he has not played a single minute for Burnley this season, Bailey Peacock-Farrell remains the number one goalkeeper at international level.
Ahead of him will be the reliable centre-back pairing of Craig Cathcart and Jonny Evans.
First-choice left-back Jamal Lewis is injured.
So, utility man Stuart Dallas will cover there.
Not ideal.
Paddy McNair, Corry Evans and George Saville will anchor the midfield
Talismanic captain Steven Davis may be pushed out-wide,
Jordan Jones, Oliver Norwood and Conor Washington would all probably start but all three have withdrawn from the squad.
Niall McGinn will therefore start with Josh Magennis up top.
The latter’s six international goals have all come in qualifiers including two winners in this campaign.
Can he score the most famous goal of his career?
Predicted Netherlands line-up vs Northern Ireland
Predicted Netherlands line-up vs Northern Ireland.
Predicted Northern Ireland line-up vs Netherlands
Predicted Northern Ireland line-up vs Netherlands.
Highlights of Netherlands 4-0 Belarus
Highlights of Netherlands 2-3 Germany
Highlights of Netherlands 3-1 England
Highlights of Portugal 1-0 Netherlands
Highlights of Northern Ireland 2-0 Estonia
Highlights of Northern Ireland 2-1 Belarus
Highlights of Estonia 1-2 Northern Ireland
Highlights of Belarus 0-1 Northern Ireland
The latest tweets from Netherlands pre Northern Ireland
🔶| Ronald Koeman heeft 30 spelers opgenomen in de voorselectie voor de wedstrijden tegen Noord-Ierland en Wit-Rusland. #NEDNIR #WRUNED pic.twitter.com/VXdEuVOoQZ
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) September 25, 2019
5️⃣0️⃣ x @Memphis 🔶 pic.twitter.com/MMA6TDGcKV
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) September 10, 2019
🐰 | Een prachtige eerste anderhalve week van Donyell Malen bij het Nederlands elftal 👏 pic.twitter.com/AQdRBRL0BW
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) September 10, 2019
Job done! +3⃣#TheNewWave #ESTNED pic.twitter.com/ihaQVhxxFW
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) September 9, 2019
🎙 | Vanmiddag om 16.00 uur schuift @Memphis aan bij de persconferentie met bondscoach @RonaldKoeman. Deze is live te zien op https://t.co/POHTg94Z89.
#ESTNED pic.twitter.com/lRoyJBZo3k— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) September 8, 2019
Wat vonden jullie van de eerste interlandgoal van Frenkie? 😬😏#DUINED pic.twitter.com/yzx9HIMzz2
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) September 6, 2019
Wat een debuut voor Donyell Malen! 🙌🦁#DUINED pic.twitter.com/7VTB7KVLKM
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) September 6, 2019
It’s coming…🌊#TheNewWave #DUINED pic.twitter.com/zCyXFP9hcC
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) September 6, 2019
The latest tweets from Northern Ireland pre Netherlands
📸 The @UEFAEURO 2020 journey continues tonight against Germany! #GAWA pic.twitter.com/kDIqI6gURX
— Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland) September 9, 2019
📸 Congrats to Captain @StevenDavis8 who becomes our most capped outfield player! 👏🏼💚 #GAWA pic.twitter.com/0YYKDWL4gH
— Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland) September 9, 2019
📸 Michael’s relaxed. Are you? #Believe #GAWA pic.twitter.com/N0I9NaofOs
— Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland) September 9, 2019
📸 Best in the World. 🙌🏼 #GAWA pic.twitter.com/kWouqIbDsJ
— Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland) September 9, 2019
18,326! Thank you to all the #GAWA creating an incredible atmosphere! 💚 #GAWA pic.twitter.com/keAwcn88El
— Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland) September 9, 2019
🔥🔥 @bailey_pf 🔥🔥 #GAWA pic.twitter.com/hZb4BCe3o0
— Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland) September 9, 2019
💚 To the #GAWA – you were AMAZING tonight! ThankYou pic.twitter.com/wlDJREzQfq
— Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland) September 9, 2019
If this is your view…👌🏽💚 #GAWA pic.twitter.com/YxM4pzB4rh
— Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland) September 17, 2019
All odds mentioned in this article are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.