Netherlands v Bosnia – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Netherlands host Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam on Sunday evening in the UEFA Nations League. The sides drew 0-0 when they met in Zenica in October and the injury-riddled Dutch side have struggled since replacing Ronald Koeman with Frank de Boer.

Netherlands Form

The Dutch have failed to win any of their last five matches. Since Frank de Boer took over as head coach, the side have lost 1-0 at home to Mexico in a friendly and drawn three matches, 0-0 in Bosnia, 1-1 in Italy and 1-1 at home against Spain on Wednesday as Donny van de Beek was on target.

Before the departure of Ronald Koeman, the side were six games unbeaten including a 4-2 away win in Germany in the Euro 2020 qualifiers. The team has unsurprisingly looked less impressive since Frank de Boer took over.

Netherlands Team News

Nathan Ake was injured in the early stages of the Netherland’s draw with Spain in midweek whilst Virgil Van Dijk is out long-term and Matthijs De Ligt is also missing at centre back. Brighton’s Joel Veltman and Stefan de Vrij of Inter Milan will likely form the pairing at the back – so there is real depth for the Dutch with Daley Blind also around.

Donny van de Beek and stand-in captain, Gini Wijnaldum will form a strong attacking midfield area with Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong holding behind them. Atalanta’s Marten de Roon and Tottenham’s Steven Bergwijn are both out injured.

Netherlands Motivation

The Dutch motivation to win should be very high. With Italy facing Poland, a win in this game could open everything up again at the top of the group ahead of a trip for De Boer’s men to Poland on Wednesday.

Bosnia Form

nder 71-year-old Dusan Bajevic, Bosnia have struggled. The side are yet to win in his five games in charge. Under the previous coach, they failed to qualify for Euro 2020 after a play-off loss on penalties to Northern Ireland but they have picked up impressive draws under Bajevic in the UEFA Nations League, 1-1 away against Italy and 0-0 at home against the Netherlands. In their last match, they lost 3-0 away to Poland. They lost 2-0 to Iran in a friendly match on Thursday night in Sarajevo.

Bosnia Team News

Captain and star striker (59 goals in 112 caps), Edin Dzeko is out injured. That is a massive blow and will increase the reliance on Barcelona man, Miralem Pjanic and AC Milan midfielder, Rade Krunic. The most well-known other Bosnian player is Arsenal fullback, Sead Kolasinac. Amir Hadziahmetovic is out with a muscle injury and defender Ermin Bicakcic (ligament tear) are both out.

Bosnia Motivation

Bosnia are three points behind the Netherlands and need a win to keep alive their hopes of not being relegated from their tier in the UEFA Nations League. Having said that, the side would almost certainly look at a point as being as good as a win and a defensive, physical approach is expected in Amsterdam.

Key Stats

The Netherlands have won none of their last 5 matches

The Flying Dutchmen have drawn their last 3 matches

The Netherlands have scored 2 goals in their last 5 matches

Bosnia have lost 6 of their last 8 away matches

Bosnia have failed to score in 5 of their last 10 away matches

Prediction

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