Netherlands vs Germany
As international football rivalries go, this is almost as big as they come.
Whether it be a World Cup or European Championship showpiece or a mere UEFA Nations League match-up, there is rarely a dull encounter.
For this is one of football’s longstanding rivalries.
The war-related sentiment which cast a shadow over many of their meetings has long eased, but a tempestuous clash in Italia 1990 set the tone for a modern-day rivalry which has never quite gone away.
Talking Points
So here we are. A Group A clash at the Amsterdam ArenA which could provide some of the UEFA Nations League 2018 highlights.
Both nations have points to prove.
Germany are still reeling from their nightmare defence of the World Cup, eased slightly by a narrow victory over Peru and a draw with the nation that took their world crown, France, last month.
Holland are also trying to steady the ship with an overhaul of many of the side which failed to qualify for the summer showcase.
They also squeezed past Peru last month before losing to France in this very tournament.
Germany have absentees, including Antonio Rudiger (groin), Ilkay Gundogan and Marco Reus, but they still possess a greater strength in depth than the new-look Holland squad being shaped by new boss Ronald Koeman.
The former Everton manager has called on his players to use last week’s Ajax result – a 1-1 draw at Bayern Munich in the Champions League – as an example of how the Dutch can use their qualities to gain a positive result against a more experienced opponent.
The Netherlands have won two, drawn two and lost two of Koeman’s six matches in charge since taking over in February, but he accepts his side remains in transition after their failure to qualify for Russia 2018.
The likelihood is this may be a match which has no bearing on who ultimately qualifies for Euro 2020.
But it will certainly not be a glorified friendly either.
There’s too much background for that.
Let me give you two examples.
At Euro 1988 when the Dutch came from behind to beat the hosts in the semi-final, the Germans were hit so hard they didn’t leave the dressing room for half an hour after the final whistle.
Most of the German players didn’t even shake hands with the opposition and Koeman, who scored in that win, revealed after the match he had wiped his backside using the German shirt he had swapped with his opponent at full-time.
When they met two years later, the bickering Dutch deservedly lost and Frank Rijkaard spat at Rudi Voller.
This game will not have any of that nastiness, but there will still be an undercurrent.
Holland-Germany always has.
History
What a history!
They last met in a major tournament in Euro 2012 when a Mario Gomez double fired the Germans to a 2-1 success, despite a late Robin van Persie reply.
Germany have the edge in most competitive encounters with the exceptions being the 1988 and 1992 European Championships when, under the late great Rinus Michels, a Marco van Basten-inspired Dutch national side claimed two major victories.
Overall, the two countries have met on 40 occasions with the Dutch winning 10, the Germans enjoying success in 15 of the clashes and the other 15 ending up as draws.
However, when it matters most the Germans have usually had the edge, most notably in the 1974 World Cup Final.
Their last meeting came on November 12 in an Amsterdam friendly which ended goallessly.
Betting Tip
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Netherlands vs Germany | Total Goal 0-1 @ 3.71 |
| October 14, 02:45 AM (GMT+8) |
They may have had a miserable World Cup, eliminated at the first hurdle, but Germany are still favourites for this match.
After all, at least they qualified for Russia 2018.
Under Koeman, there were signs of spirit in their narrow defeat to world champions France last month and they are only five places below the Germans (12th) in the latest world ranking tables.
In UEFA Nations League 2018 odds with SBOBET, Germany are priced 1X2 @ 2.15 with the Netherlands @ 3.15 and the draw @ 3.35.
Asian Handicap odds also leans towards Joachim Low’s side who are priced -0.25 @ 1.86 and -0.50 @ 2.16, compared to the hosts + 0.25 @ 2.06 and + 0.50 @ 1.78.
A handful of goals are expected, judging by the odds on total goal 2-3 @ 1.83.
A repeat of the 0-0 from their last meeting nearly six years ago – correct score 0-0 – offers odds @ 12.50.
| 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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