France vs Netherlands
The Stade de France is the place to be on Sunday when France’s Nations League campaign continues, and this time Les Bleus face Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands.
UEFA Nations League France vs Netherlands is a game with plenty of intrigue. The Dutch have long been pioneers of modern football, with an attention to the detail without diluting the beauty of their football. Netherlands legend Johan Cruyff was the epitome of all that is beautiful in the game, but it seems a distant memory in recent years.
Another Holland hero has been helicoptered in to lift the wounded Dutch out of their gloom, and the Netherlands’ football chiefs think that in Koeman they have an inspirational coach.
Our SBOBET tips won’t suggest an Orange revolution quite yet, but this game is not the walkover FIFA rankings and recent history suggests. Didier Deschamps will have to get his team focused to keep their notoriously critical fans onside.
Talking Points
There’s plenty of SBOBET UEFA Nations League 2018 action to enjoy, and this League A Group 1 is a cracker with the World Cup champions of 2014 and 2018, Germany and France, joined by everyone’s favourite nearly team, the Netherlands.
In all fairness, the Dutch have been nowhere near for some time now, missing out on the last two major tournaments. The last time they played France, they were on the end of a right royal 4-0 thumping in the World Cup qualifiers. And it’s high time someone pulled them up by their bootstraps. Enter Ronald Koeman. The former Barcelona star is a Holland legend, winning 78 caps in a great period for his nation when they became Euro 88 champions.
As a player, Koeman was an uncompromising defender with the ball skills of a midfield general and a shot like a bullet. He was the ultimate all-rounder in a talented side; the Orange Army will hope some of his magic can rub off on his players.
He has inherited a decent squad from Dick Advocaat, with strong representation in the Premier League. His side is skippered by centre-back Virgil van Dijk; the Liverpool man is fast becoming one of the best defenders in England, and alongside Bournemouth’s Nathan Ake, he can play the type of football his boss displayed in his pomp.
Georginio Wijnaldum, Van Dijk’s Liverpool team-mate, and Daryl Janmaat are also likely to feature in Paris, as may Ajax midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who made his debut in Thursday’s 2-1 win over Peru. But there will be no Wesley Sneijder as the 34-year-old has called time on his international career.
France midfield ace Paul Pogba is still at the beginning of his international journey, but he’s already big daily news. He dominated the headlines before Thursday’s draw with Germany, not with his form on the pitch but more so his comments off, suggesting he’s very much open to a move away from Manchester United. That prompted a furious outcry from frustrated Red Devils’ fans, and he has some making up to do.
But he can forget about all that for a few days while he’s away. His form for France has been pretty good and, in a winning side full of talent, he seems at ease. But the star man in Thursday’s draw with Germany was undoubtedly goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, he kept a deserved clean sheet in his first appearance with a string of top-class saves.
History
France vs Netherlands results have been in Les Bleus’ favour, with the hosts winning 13 of 26 previous meetings, while the Netherlands have won 10 and three have ended in a draw.
The recent fortunes of each side are reflected in the last four meetings which have all gone the way of France, including the 4-0 thrashing of Danny Blind’s team last year. We watched France play out a competitive 0-0 draw with Germany in their Nations League opener and, having looked the more likely to win in the first half, they were slightly fortunate to finish with a point in the end, But that preserves their unbeaten run from the beginning of the World Cup.
Meanwhile, ex-Manchester United star Memphis Depay scored a brace as the Netherlands came from behind to beat Peru. That means the Dutch haven’t lost a game under their new coach since his opener against England in March.
Betting Tip
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France vs Netherlands | Under 2.75 goals @ 1.88 |
| September 10, 02:45 (GMT+8) |
Didier Deschamps team is the clear favourite to win this game at odds of 1.45, with the draw at 4.00 and the Netherlands out at 6.00.
But I think it may be a tight affair. Areola is a good deputy for Hugo Lloris and looks capable of repelling much of what the Netherlands plan to throw at him, while Koeman has some top talent in his defence.
And if you think he can continue his good start as boss, then you can back Ronald’s team with a double chance to win or draw at 2.40.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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 = €20 (Highly confident) |
= €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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