The Netherlands are looking to build on their winning start to Euro 2020 as they take on Austria on Thursday.
After failing to qualify for the last European Championships and the 2018 World Cup, the Dutch are back at a major tournament for the first time since 2014.
They got off to a winning start, beating Ukraine 3-2 in perhaps the game of the tournament so far, and can now book their place in the last-16 with a game to spare by beating Austria.
The Austrians also have three points on the board already after beating newcomers North Macedonia in their opener, though this is likely to prove a much tougher test.
Netherlands vs Austria: Date, kick-off time and venue
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| Photo: Bettingtop10 |
Netherlands vs Austria is scheduled for an 8pm BST kick-off on Thursday, June 17, 2021.
The match will be held at the Johan Cruyff ArenA in Amsterdam.
Netherlands vs Austria: Team news
For the Netherlands, much will depend on the fitness of defender Matthijs De Ligt, who missed the opener against Ukraine.
For Austria, Michael Gregoritsch is pushing for a start after scoring off the bench against North Macedonia but Marko Arnautovic is suspended.
Netherlands vs Austria predicted lineups
Netherlands: Stekelenburg; Dumfries, Timber, De Vrij, Blind, Van Aanholt; De Roon, Wijnaldum, F. De Jong; Depay, Weghorst
Austria: Bachmann; Lainer, Dragović, Hinteregger, Ulmer; Laimer, Schlager, Alaba; Sabitzer; Kalajdzic, Baumgartner
Netherlands vs Austria: Match preview
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| Photo: Getty Images |
It was a very attacking game but at half time the score was still 0-0 but it only seemed a matter of time before the goals would come. It would be a rollercoaster ride for Frank De Boer’s side who took a 2-0 lead but saw that pegged back to 2-2. However in the end it was defender Denzel Dumfries who scored the winner and a fantastic 3 points for the Dutch.
The victory over Ukraine means that the Netherlands can feel a little more relaxed coming into this game however it remains an important one and victory here would mean De Boer’s side would be in the knockout stages.
Austria had to dig deep but they got a fantastic 3 points also as they beat North Macedonia 3-1 in their opening game. This was actually Austria’s first ever win at the European Championships, so was a very historic moment for them.
The match was an entertaining one and it looked like both teams were going to settle for a 1-1 draw but two late goals from ‘das team’ secured victory, and gave them a genuine chance to try and qualify for the knockout stages.
Form Analysis:
If we were talking in league points then the Netherlands would have 13 from their last 15 and in short they are one of the best form teams at the Euro’s. The one question mark though could be in recent matches they have not had to face real quality opposition. However they are scoring goals and have netted 15 times in their past 4 matches.
Austria’s win over North Macedonia was clearly needed for confidence because it was just their 2nd win in their last 7 matches. The other victory was over the Faroe Islands. But a usually leaky defence is performing a little better now with 2 goals conceded in their last three games.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
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| Photo: Getty Images |
Netherlands wins: 8
Draws: 4
Austria wins: 6
Netherlands vs Austria: Prediction
The Netherlands are the odds on favourites and they should be able to win this game. The positive side is that they are scoring goals even if they are finding it hard not to concede.
Austria will be up for this game and very happy for themselves that they have registered 3 points already but of course their team on paper is no match for the Netherlands this is why they may set up more defensively with a tactic of trying to earn what would be a huge point for them in order to reach the knockout stages.
But it is difficult to look past the Netherlands and if they can start the game at a quick pace the odds for them to be winning at half time are very good value for punters.
Netherlands to win 2-0.
Netherlands vs Austria: Betting tips
Draw
The Netherlands have a great recent record against Austria, winning each of the duo’s last six encounters in all competitions. However, the pair haven’t locked horns since 2016 and both squads have changed dramatically since then. The Netherlands have drawn against Scotland and lost to Turkey this year and their game against Ukraine almost ended in a draw. Austria have drawn two and won two of their last six matches, losing against the likes of England and Denmark, but their performance against North Macedonia showed that they mean business in Euro 2020.
BTTS
Both teams have scored in five of the last seven meetings between these two nations and we’re backing both teams to find the back of the net on Thursday night. Three of the Netherlands’ last six matches have ended with both teams scoring and the same goes for three of Austria’s last six fixtures. Both the Netherlands and Austria looked good going forward but a little shaky at the back in their opening matches of Euro 2020, so there should be ample goalmouth action at both ends of the pitch on Thursday.
1-1 Draw
We’re backing a 1-1 draw between these two teams as their performances in the first round of matches suggests that the pair could well cancel one another out on Thursday. The Netherlands will be the favourites and they also have the home advantage but their overall performance against Ukraine leads us to believe that they will struggle against more organised sides such as Austria.
