Sports Mole previews Tuesday’s European Championship clash between Netherlands and Austria, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Requiring just one point to ensure a place in the knockout phase of Euro 2024, the Netherlands meet Austria for their final Group F fixture on Tuesday.
The two teams convene in Berlin with the Oranje having four points on the board following their stalemate with France; Ralf Rangnick‘s men swept past Poland last time out and now need at least one point to have any chance of reaching the last 16.
Match preview
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Aiming to reach the knockout rounds for the eighth time in their last nine European Championship appearances, the Netherlands took one step closer to their primary goal by holding tournament favorites France to a 0-0 draw on Friday night.
Though neither side could break the deadlock in Leipzig, Xavi Simons appeared to have put his team ahead in the 69th minute, with the skilful forward firing into the bottom corner after France goalkeeper Mike Maignan had denied Memphis Depay.
However, following a lengthy VAR check, his strike was ultimately ruled out for offside, with Dutch defender Denzel Dumfries judged to have been interfering with Maignan’s dive – that left boss Ronald Koeman fuming, but his side still managed to put themselves within a whisker of the last 16.
Having previously beaten Poland 2-1 in their opener, the Oranje will secure a place in Group F’s top two should they avoid losing to Austria; guaranteeing first place if they win and France fail to deliver against Poland.
Meanwhile, if Koeman’s men draw and France win, they will still finish second – even in defeat, four points would likely prove enough to progress as a third-placed finisher.
Since the start of the 2014 World Cup, the Netherlands are unbeaten in group matches at major tournaments, winning nine of 11 and scoring in each game except Friday’s goalless encounter with Les Bleus.
During that streak, Austria were beaten 2-0 at Euro 2020, when Depay and Dumfries were both on target at the Johan Cruijff Arena. Now, a repeat would take a highly-rated Dutch squad through to the next phase with room to spare.
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Including defeat in Amsterdam three summers ago, Austria have lost their last seven matches against the Netherlands – their longest ongoing sequence against a single opponent.
In fact, their last victory over the Oranje dates back to May 1990, but ending that barren run may be necessary on Tuesday evening, in order to ensure qualification for the last 16.
Austria will win Group F if they take maximum points and France do not, but should Austria draw and Les Bleus lose, the Austrians will instead finish third on head-to-head record.
Again, one point would surely prove sufficient to progress as a best third-place team, helping Das Team reach the European Championship knockout stages for the second consecutive edition.
Having failed to get past the group stage in their first two appearances – as hosts in 2008, and then eight years later in France – that would represent an impressive achievement.
After suffering defeat to France in their first match at Euro 2024, two players recalled to the starting lineup were on the scoresheet as Ralf Rangnick’s side recorded a 3-1 victory over Poland on Friday afternoon
Gernot Trauner opened the scoring, and Christopher Baumgartner netted Austria’s second after a clever dummy from Marko Arnautovic, who confirmed all three points from the penalty spot with 12 minutes remaining.
Following a 3-1 victory in Berlin, the Austrians could now win back-to-back games at a major tournament for the first time since 1982 when they step out again at the German capital’s iconic Olympiastadion.
Netherlands European Championship form:
Netherlands form (all competitions):
Austria European Championship form:
Austria form (all competitions):
Team News
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Ronald Koeman should have a full squad at his disposal for the Netherlands’ final group fixture, as Ajax striker Brian Brobbey was back on the bench for the France game after overcoming a hamstring injury.
Introducing Jeremie Frimpong for PSV midfielder Joey Veerman was Koeman’s only change on Friday, but with one foot already in the last 16, further switches will surely be considered.
Both Veerman and his clubmate Jerdy Schouten are one booking away from suspension, which may be a minor factor in team selection, while Wout Weghorst will vie with Memphis Depay – who is just five goals shy of equalling Robin van Persie’s record total for the Oranje – to feature up front.
Meanwhile, Austria boss Ralf Rangnick tinkered with his starting XI ahead of the victory over Poland, so more changes cannot be ruled out on Tuesday.
Against France, Max Wober and Kevin Danso were paired in central defence, but Gernot Trauner and Philipp Lienhart stepped into the side last time out. After scoring the opener, Trauner was later forced off by a muscular problem, so his fitness is now in some doubt.
Christoph Baumgartner claimed the ‘Man of the Match’ award so is likely to be retained, while all-time top scorer Marco Arnautovic again battles it out with Michael Gregoritsch to spearhead the Austrian attack.
Netherlands possible starting lineup:
Verbruggen; Dumfries, De Vrij, Van Dijk, Ake; Reijnders, Simons, Schouten; Frimpong, Depay, Gakpo
Austria possible starting lineup:
Pentz; Posch, Danso, Lienhart, Mwene; Seiwald, Laimer; Wimmer, Baumgartner, Sabitzer; Gregoritsch
We say: Netherlands 1-1 Austria
Austria’s need for victory is greater, so they may need to force the issue with their familiar high-intensity style.
Without a clinical finisher, the Netherlands may not fully capitalise on any gaps at the back, but a draw might well send both teams through to the last 16.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.