Germany vs Netherlands: Preview, predictions and lineups


Two great international rivals collide on Monday night as Germany take on the Netherlands at the Allianz Arena.

It’s rarely a dull occasion when these two face off, and the reverse fixture in Amsterdam was a belter with the spoils shared in a 2-2 draw.

Germany have since taken command on Group A3 and they head into Monday’s bout having edged Bosnia & Herzegovina 2-1 on Thursday. Julian Nagelsmann’s side also showed plenty of promise at Euro 2024 before they were beaten in extra time by eventual winners Spain in the quarter-finals.

The Netherlands were semi-finalists in the summer before they succumbed to a last-gasp Ollie Watkins strike, and they’ve started their 2024/25 Nations League campaign unbeaten. However, a draw in Hungary on Thursday means they trail Germany in the group, and they could do with a victory in Munich to boost their chances of playing in next year’s finals.

Here’s 90min’s guide to Monday’s Nations League clash in Munich.

Germany vs Netherlands H2H record (Last Five Games)

Current form (all competitions)

Germany

Netherlands

Bosnia & Herzegovina 1-2 Germany – 11/10/24

Hungary 1-1 Netherlands – 11/10/24

Netherlands 2-2 Germany – 10/09/24

Netherlands 2-2 Germany – 10/09/24

Germany 5-0 Hungary – 07/09/24

Netherlands 5-2 Bosnia & Herzegovina – 07/09/24

Spain 2-1 Germany – 05/07/24

Netherlands 1-2 England – 10/07/24

Germany 2-0 Denmark – 29/06/24

Netherlands 2-1 Turkey – 06/07/24

Country

TV channel/live stream

United Kingdom

N/A

United States

fuboTV, Fubo Sports Network, ViX, Tubi

Canada

DAZN

Kai Havertz

Kai Havertz picked up an injury before the break / Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/GettyImages

Alexander Nubel is set to start between the sticks for the hosts with Manuel Neuer retiring from the international stage and Marc-Andre ter Stegen out of the squad having sustained a long-term knee injury last month.

Kai Havertz has not joined up with the German squad after picking up a knock before the break, so there should be another chance for Stuttgart’s Deniz Undav up top.

Jamal Musiala is also absent.

Germany predicted lineup vs Netherlands (4-3-3): Nubel; Kimmich, Rudiger, Tah, Mittelstadt; Andrich, Pavlovic, Gross; Wirtz, Undav, Gnabry.

Lukas Fahndrich, Virgil Van Dijk

Virgil van Dijk is suspended for Monday’s game / Soccrates Images/GettyImages

Matthijs de Ligt hasn’t enjoyed the best of starts to his Manchester United career, but he could be thrust into a starting role on Monday night with captain Virgil van Dijk suspended. Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven could get the nod at left-back with Nathan Ake still out injured.

Jurrien Timber has not been called up by Koeman after the Arsenal defender picked up a muscle injury before the break.

The Dutch are also without a litany of midfielders due to injury setbacks. Teun Koopmeiners, Jerdy Schouten and Joey Veerman have joined Frenkie de Jong on the sidelines.

Netherlands predicted lineup vs Germany (4-3-3): Verbruggen; Dumfries, De Vrij, De Ligt, Van de Ven; Gravenberch, Reijnders, Timber; Simons, Zirkzee, Gakpo.

These two teams are not at their respective apexes given the absentees from both managers’ October squads, but the Dutch have been particularly hindered by injuries this month.

Their midfield has been decimated, and control in the middle of the park is pivotal in games such as these. While Germany are without Havertz and Musiala, they’re led by a tremendous coach in Julian Nagelsmann and the brilliance they showed in spells during Euro 2024 has permeated into their Nations League campaign.

Expect Germany to topple their great rivals on Monday night.

Prediction: Germany 2-0 Netherlands

READ THE LATEST NATIONS LEAGUE NEWS, PREVIEWS & PLAYER RATINGS



Source link