International Football News, National Soccer Teams, Previews International football in bite-size pieces
Related Articles
Kick-off: 3 September @ 19:45 CET
Venue: Amsterdam ArenA (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
Past meetings
Iceland v Netherlands 2-0 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Iceland v Netherlands 1-2 (2010 World Cup qualifier)
Netherlands v Iceland 2-0 (2010 World Cup qualifier)
Netherlands v Iceland 3-0 (Euro 1984 qualifier)
Iceland v Netherlands 1-1 (Euro 1984 qualifier)
Netherlands
Last 5 matches:
Netherlands v Latvia 6-0 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Netherlands v Turkey 1-1 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Netherlands v Spain 2-0 (International friendly)
Netherlands v USA 3-4 (International friendly)
Latvia v Netherlands 0-2 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Team News:
Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben (86/28) returns after missing last four games through injury and he has been appointed captain by new coach Danny Blind, while Robin van Persie (98/49) is included in Netherlands squad despite not being in top form.
The likes of Kevin Strootman, Jordy Clasie, Rafael van der Vaart, Ron Vlaar and Jetro Willems are out injured, whereas Daryl Janmaat has been overlooked. Vurnon Anita (2/0) and Marco van Ginkel (2/0) return after a lengthy absence.
Klaas Jan Huntelaar (73/41) should be preferred to Robin van Persie up front, with Memphis Depay (17/3) and Arjen Robben expected to start on the wings as Danny Blind earlier hinted he would use a 4-3-3 formation during his reign.
Players to watch: Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder, Klaas Jan Huntelaar.
Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Cillessen – van der Wiel, de Vrij, Martins Indi, Blind – Sneijder, Wijnaldum, Afellay – Robben, Huntelaar, Depay.
Iceland
Last 5 matches:
Canada v Iceland 1-2 (International friendly)
Canada v Iceland 1-1 (International friendly)
Kazakhstan v Iceland 0-3 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Estonia v Iceland 1-1 (International friendly)
Iceland v Czech Republic 2-1 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Team News:
Group A leaders head into the high-profile clash five points clear of their next opponents and buoyed by the 2-0 triumph in the reverse fixture. With the team having done so well of late, it is not surprising that coaches Heimir Hallgrimsson and Lars Lagerback have selected the identical squad to that which faced Czech Republic in June.
Nevertheless, Hellas Verona midfielder Emil Hallfredsson (49/1) has been ruled out of the Netherlands game through a muscle problem, with Olafur Skulason (25/1) called as replacement.
This means that the likes of Gylfi Sigurdsson (30/9) and Kolbeinn Sigthorsson (29/17) will be relied on to help the Nordic side secure their first ever appearance at European Championship finals.
Players to watch: Gylfi Sigurdsson, Kolbeinn Sigthorsson.
Probable starting line-up (4-4-1-1): Halldorsson – Saevarsson, Arnason, R. Sigurdsson, A. Skulason – Bjarnason, Gunnarsson, Bodvardsson, Gudmundsson – G. Sigurdsson – Sigthorsson.
Netherlands v Iceland betting odds & tips
*This is a must-win game for Netherlands if they want to secure automatic qualification and home win pays 1.30 (3/10).
*Given that Iceland scored in each of last 13 fixtures, bear in mind that both teams to score is available at 2.50 (3/2).
*Considering that there will be plenty at stake in this match, there may be value in betting on half-time draw at 2.38 (11/8).
