Netherlands vs Germany
Two of Europe’s football aristocracy are set to meet in a mouth watering Euro 2020 clash at the Johann Cruyff Arena on Sunday.
There’s little argument that Netherlands versus Germany, in a Group C opener, is the tie of the weekend. And both teams have plenty to prove. The latest Euro 2020 betting odds have neither of these teams at the top of the list, with France, Belgium, Spain and England all ahead; because both teams have been in some turmoil in recent times but the Oranje, in particular is in a period of resurgence and they will be determined to take another big step against their old rivals.
Ronald Koeman has been steadily rebuilding the confidence of a team with no little quality, while Joachin Low’s aim is to lift his own team back to the heights it has enjoyed as recently as 2014 when it lifted the World Cup is spectacular style.
Talking Points
The Oranje’s Nations League success
After a period in the doldrums it’s starting to look like the good times are returning to the Netherlands. They were the big absentees in both Euro 2016 and, along with Italy, at Russia 2018. But former playing legend Koeman is moulding the team in his own image. At the back Virgil Van Dijk and Matthijs de Ligt have formed a formidable defensive partnership; Liverpool’s Van Dijk often touted as the best centre back in the world.
He’s a threat up front too, scoring a late goal, as did Quincy Promes, to give the Oranje a 2-2 draw with Germany to seal a place in the Nations League semi-final, after Timo Werner and Leroy Sane had put the Germans in charge.
De Ligt’s Ajax team-mate Frenkie De Jong has had a superb season which has earned him a contact at Barcelona, and the midfield star can be a good source of ammunition for former Manchester United wide man Memphis Depay, who has discovered a new lease of life at Lyon.
Beating France in the Nations League was no mean feat either, the World Champions were humbled by a 2-0 score line when they took on Koeman’s team, which is fast becoming one to watch on the world stage.
Germany in transition too
Having dominated European football for some time, Germany was humbled at the World Cup in Russia, failing to get out of the group stage, and Low has taken a good look at his squad, leaving out veterans Thomas Muller and Mats Hummels. But he still has bags of talent at his disposal. The return of Leroy Sane, after he was left out of the World Cup squad, has added pace and goals; while Borussia Dortmund’s influential forward Marco Reus has recently returned from injury and is a key man for both club and country.
Sane’s Manchester City club mate Ilkay Gundogan could feature, and alongside Real Madrid’s Toni Kroos would be part of a top quality midfield.
Germany still has plenty in its locker and will be out to take back the bragging rights from their hosts.
History
This is a game that’s bound to hit the Euro 2020 news headlines whatever the result, as both teams are desperate to gather momentum with a win.
Germany has won the European Championship three times, the joint highest along with Spain, while the Netherlands have a solitary win, when the tournament was held in Germany back in 1988.
In the nine matches between these two big guns, since 1992, the Netherlands have the edge, winning three to Germany’s two and there have been four draws. The biggest psychological advantage is with the hosts as they recently hammered Germany 3-0 in their home Nations Leagues tie, before qualifying with that draw at the Veltins Arena.
But the rivalry goes much further back; the most famous clash in the 1974 World Cup Final when Germany overcame Holland’s total football, Johann Cruyff and all, to lift the trophy.
The Netherlands have won their last four home games, are unbeaten in five and haven’t lost to Germany in the last three meetings, so I’d say that gives the hosts the edge.
Betting Tip
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Netherlands vs Germany | Netherlands, Draw no Bet @ 1.83 |
| March 25, 03:45(GMT+8) |
At odds of 2.44 to win with SBOBET the Netherlands are marginal favourites, with Germany at 2.78 and the draw at 3.20.
I can make a case for both sides; each has world class players and a head coach who knows his way around the top echelons of European football. But there seems to be more optimism around the Netherlands at the moment, and with a passionate Oranje crowd behind them I can’t see the hosts losing this one.
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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