NETHERLANDS are aiming to maintain their good form ahead of the European Championship as they host Iceland in an international friendly on Monday. Iceland have also caught the eye lately but should fall short against the superior quality of the Dutch side.
Having looked decent throughout the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, the task for Netherlands will be to maintain their momentum ahead of the competition. They have looked particularly sharp lately, winning five of their last six matches across all competitions.
Netherlands were rampant in their previous fixture as they claimed a 4-0 victory over Canada on Wednesday. Ronald Koeman's recent defensive solidity was evident once again and the Dutch have now kept clean sheets in five of their last six matches.
Iceland may not be going to the Euros but are showing some good form in recent times. They have claimed four wins from their last five matches, including a 1-0 victory over England on Friday.
The win over England will be a huge confidence boost for Iceland, who usually struggle against the big guns. Age Hareide’s men recently lost to Slovakia and Portugal and were beaten 2-1 by Ukraine prior to Friday’s victory in Wembley.
How the bookies view it: Easy ride for Netherlands
The bookies are expecting an easy ride for Netherlands, who are priced at 2/11 by bet365 to claim the win. An unlikely victory for Iceland is valued at 12/1 while a draw is set at odds of 11/2.
Head to head: Iceland with recent edge
Netherlands have a 9-2 advantage with one draw from 12 previous matches against Iceland. However, Iceland’s wins have come in the last two meetings as they won 2-0 and 1-0 during the Euro 2016 qualifiers.
Players to watch: Unwavering Van Dijk
Virgil Van Dijk has been at the heart of Netherlands' new found defensive solidity, with the team keeping clean sheets in five of their last six matches. The Liverpool centre-back is likely to partner Stefan De Vrij and both men to lead the Dutch to another clean sheet at 5/6 with bet365.
The Netherlands attack has also caught the eye lately with Cody Gakpo often among the goals. The forward has found the net three times in his last five appearances and is priced at 20/21 to get on the score sheet on Monday.
Probable line-ups
Virgil Van Dijk was a second half substitute last time out against Canada and could be set to start on Monday. The likes of Cody Gakpo, Wout Werghorst, Stefan De Vrij and Donyell Malen could also be given a run-out having been on the bench on Wednesday.
Iceland may retain some of the players that beat England on Wednesday with Jon Porteinsson likely to feature in attack after netting the winner. However, Arnor Sigurdsson is likely to be given a run-out in midfield after coming off the bench in Wembley.
Netherlands: Verbruggen, Dumfries, Van Dijk, De Vrij, Ake, Wijnaldum, Veerman, Koopmeiners, Gakpo, Malen, Werghorst
Iceland: Valdimarsson, Bjarkasson, Ingasson, Gretarsson, Finsson, Gudmundsson, Sigurdsson, Anderson, Haraldsson, Porteinsson, Gudjohnsen
Anything else catch the eye?
Netherlands have won to nil in five of their last six matches and could be set for a similar outcome at 10/11 by bet365. Having also shown their attacking quality in that run, they could also be backed in the -2 handicap market at 13/10 by bet365.
The Dutch have also won both halves in three of their last four matches and a similar pattern is priced at 5/4 by bet365.
This International Friendly match between Netherlands and Iceland will be played on Jun 10, 2024 and kick off at 19:45. Check below for our tipsters best Netherlands vs Iceland prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
