The Netherlands will look to maintain their position at the top of their World Cup qualifying group as they travel to Kaunas to take on Lithuania on Sunday night.
The Dutch made a strong start to their World Cup qualifying campaign in June, as a 0-2 victory over Finland in Helsinki was followed by an 8-0 mauling at home to minnows Malta, on an evening where our man SlipsTips landed a trio of winners.
However, Ronald Koeman’s side were unable to make it three wins from three on Thursday night, as Aston Villa’s right back, Matty Cash’s late goal meant that Poland left Rotterdam with a 1-1 draw.
1-1 was also the scoreline in Lithuania’s home qualifier with Malta on Thursday evening, as a 97th-minute penalty from Torino’s Gvidas Gineitis saved the home side's blushes.
Ex-Hearts striker, Edgaras Jankauskas, has now seen his side draw their last three qualifiers – having previously played a stalemate in the reverse fixture with Malta and a four-goal thriller at home to Finland – after having lost by a solitary strike in their group opener in Poland.
How the bookies view it: Netherlands heavy favourites
As expected, the Netherlands travel to Kaunas as clear favourites, with BoyleSports pricing Ronald Koeman’s men at just 1/10 to return to winning ways.
The hosts are massive 25/1 underdogs with the same firm, whilst the draw is an unfancied 6/1.
Head to head: First-ever meeting
I was perhaps slightly surprised to find out this is the first time these two nations have ever crossed paths.
Players to watch: Dumfries to deliver again?
Denzel Dumfries followed up his first goal of the season for Inter against Udinese in Serie A by scoring for the Netherlands against Poland on Thursday night.
The Nerazzurri fullback has now scored in five of his previous eight appearances for the Oranje, and is an appealing 3/1 at BoyleSports to get on the scoresheet once again.
Predicted line-ups:
Lithuania will be without centre back Edgaras Utkus following his late sending off against Malta on Thursday.
Ronald Koeman appears to have no fresh injury concerns following his side’s 1-1 draw at home to Poland on Thursday night.
Lithuania: Gertmonas, Upstas, Girdvainis, Beneta, Tutyskinas, Vorobjovas, Sirgedas, Lasickas, Gineitis, Dolznikov, Paulauskas
Netherlands: Verbruggen, Dumfries, Van Hecke, Van de Ven, Gravenberch, Reijnders, De Jong, Simons, Gakpo, Depay
Anything else catch the eye?
The Netherlands would’ve been disappointed to drop points at home to Poland on Thursday night, but I fully expect them to return to winning ways in Kaunas on Sunday evening.
Prices are pretty skinny, but the Dutch should have too much firepower for a leaky Lithuanian defence, but the hosts may grab a consolation, so I like the look of a Netherlands Win & Over 3.5 Goals, which pays 23/20 at BoyleSports.
Prior to drawing a blank against the Poles, Memphis Depay had bagged in each of the Dutch’s previous three matches, and I like the look of the Corinthians man to get on the scoresheet appeals, especially when he is the regular penalty taker.
GambleAware