Sports Mole previews Friday's Nations League conflict between Hungary and Netherlands, together with predictions, team information and potential lineups.
After two excessive-scoring contests in September, the Netherlands have rather a lot to reside as much as leisure-sensible once they head to Budapest for Friday's UEFA Nations League conflict with Hungary.
Oranje occupy second place in League A Group 3 after the primary spherical, whereas their winless guests sit useless final after taking only one level from their opening two contests.
Match preview
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Ollie Watkins should hang-out the goals of Ronald Koeman and co, however the Netherlands responded in the very best approach to their crushing Euro 2024 semi-last exit to England, hitting 5 previous a hapless Bosnia-Herzegovina of their opening Nations League recreation of 2024-25.
A heavyweight battle with Germany adopted, the place Tiijani Reijnders's second-minute opener preceded strikes from Deniz Undav and Joshua Kimmich, however Denzel Dumfries saved the Netherlands' bacon in an engrossing 2-2 stalemate.
While the Netherlands and Germany are locked collectively on general and head-to-head factors, Oranje's inferior objective distinction implies that they're at present settling for second place in Group 3, though that might nonetheless be sufficient for quarter-last qualification.
Beaten semi-finalists within the 2022-23 version after ending as runners-as much as Portugal within the inaugural 2018-19 competitors, the Netherlands are lengthy overdue one other slice of worldwide success, having now gone 36 years since their first and solely main event triumph at Euro 1988.
A stellar Nations League away file will stand the Dutch in good stead this week, as after failing to win any of their first 5 event video games on the highway, they've prevailed in every of their final 4, scoring a number of objectives every time.
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Formerly occupants of League C in the course of the maiden version of the Nations League, Hungary at the moment are embarking on their second consecutive marketing campaign of prime-flight soccer after managing to retain their League A standing within the 2022-23 version.
That standout displaying got here within the wake of an applaudable Euro 2020 marketing campaign, the place the Magyars held their very own within the ‘Group of Death', however defeats to Germany and Switzerland meant that their 2024 run was simply as brief-lived regardless of a final-gasp win over Scotland.
After scoring simply twice of their three Euro 2024 fixtures, Hungary are but to seek out their taking pictures boots within the Nations League both, firstly being demolished 5-0 by Germany in September's opener earlier than solely managing a goalless draw with Bosnia-Herzegovina on matchday two.
As the Bosnians really managed to seek out the again of the online final month, Hungary are at present propping up the League A Group 3 standings in final place, which might imply an computerized demotion again all the way down to tier two for the subsequent cycle.
However, Marco Rossi‘s males have strung collectively a wonderful sequence of dwelling outcomes – 9 wins and two attracts from their final 11 video games – a crumb of consolation as they put together to satisfy a facet who they misplaced 8-1 to throughout their final assembly in a 2013 World Cup qualifier.
Hungary Nations League type:
Hungary type (all competitions):
Netherlands Nations League type:
Netherlands type (all competitions):
Team News
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A great chunk of gamers concerned in final month's fixtures are unavailable for the Netherlands this time round, together with Arsenal and Manchester City defenders Jurrien Timber and Nathan Ake, whereas Juventus' Teun Koopmeiners withdrew after the squad was named.
During Monday's press convention, Koeman insisted that Liverpool rock Virgil van Dijk and Tottenham Hotspur velocity demon Micky van de Ven are greater than able to beginning collectively, however he has simply not had the chance to pair them up but.
However, that central duo might lastly make an look on Friday, with Manchester United's Matthijs de Ligt doubtlessly making method after a few error-strewn showings for the Red Devils.
Meanwhile, Hungary boss Rossi has summoned one other assortment of recognisable names for October's matches, however RB Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi will not be amongst them, because the 34-12 months-previous personally determined to not signify his nation this time round.
Gulacsi's absence has led to a name-up for uncapped Blackburn Rovers shot-stopper Balazs Toth, however Ferencvaros' Denes Dibusz will little question don the gloves on Friday, the place captain Dominik Szoboszlai will sq. as much as a few of his Liverpool teammates.
Toth is one in all two Championship-based gamers hoping to make their senior Hungary debuts on Friday; 23-12 months-previous Plymouth Argyle defender Kornel Szucs is the opposite.
Hungary potential beginning lineup:
Dibusz; Botka, Dardai, Orban; Bolla, A. Nagy, Schafer, Kerkez; Sallai, Szoboszlai; Varga
Netherlands potential beginning lineup:
Verbruggen; Dumfries, Van Dijk, Van de Ven, Hato; Gravenberch, Reijnders; Malen, Simons, Gakpo; Zirkzee
We say: Hungary 0-2 Netherlands
As Hungary haven't posed a lot of a risk up entrance for a couple of months, Netherlands shouldn't be put beneath the cosh an excessive amount of in Budapest, particularly with Van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch certainly understanding higher than anyone else how one can nullify Szoboszlai.
Koeman's squad will not be as robust because it might be on the minute, however we are able to nonetheless image Oranje operating out comfy winners earlier than subsequent week's mammoth encounter with Germany.
For knowledge evaluation of the almost definitely outcomes, scorelines and extra for this match please click on right here.
