Will Maxwell’s selections for Friday’s huge Group D clash include a win for Ronald Koeman’s side with a former Manchester United striker finding the net.
After overcoming stern encounters in their opening Group D fixtures against Poland and Austria respectively, the Netherlands and France come face-to-face in Leipzig on Friday evening.
Both sides picked up all three points after matchday one and victory here would put them in the driving seat to finish top of Group D and ensure a favourable draw for the round of 16.
Selections
Netherlands to win
21/10
Both teams to score
31/40
Wout Weghorst to score anytime
7/2
Dutch can stun group favourites
France battled to a 1-0 victory over Austria in their Group D opener but the win came at a cost as star striker Kylian Mbappe went off late in the game with a broken nose.
This injury is likely to keep the Real Madrid-bound forward out of action for this crunch clash at the top of the group and this could open the door for the Dutch to claim victory over France.
Both the Netherlands and France were drawn into the same qualification group for the European Championships and Les Bleus came out on top in both meetings home and away – winning 6-1 over the course of the two fixtures.
Four of these goals came from Mbappe and so he will be a big miss for the French. Meanwhile, the Dutch have won seven of their last eight matches and this form should put them in good stead to come out on top in Leipzig.
Goals expected at both ends
While France may be without their talismanic striker, Didier Deschamps still has an array of attacking quality to call upon to fill the void.
Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann has risen to the occasion for his country on a number of occasions while Olivier Giroud, France’s all-time top goalscorer, also poses a threat in the area – although he has been more of a bit-part player for Les Bleus in recent years.
The last meeting between these two sides saw both sides find the net and, with a win required for both nations in order to claim the advantage for top spot in Group D, an attacking encounter is expected and so both could find joy in front of goal.
Wout can help Dutch to victory
The Dutch came from behind against Poland to claim the three points on matchday one and matchwinner Wout Weghorst could be the man that Ronald Koeman calls upon to turn the tide in favour of his side late in th game.
Weghorst has three goals in his last three appearances for the Netherlands – all of these coming as a substitute – and he has become a firm favourite in the national team to score when the Oranje need him most.
The 31-year-old has 12 goals for the Netherlands from 31 appearances and, with a goal already in Euro 2024, he will be full of confidence to get another on Friday.
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