Euro 2020: Northern Ireland Set Sights on Automatic Qualification

Northern Ireland vs Netherlands

With Sweden winning over Romania, Northern Ireland’s Euro 2020 playoff spot is already guaranteed. However, they’ll be keen to look for an automatic qualification for next year.

Their focus should be with the upcoming task at hand, as the Green and Whites would have to win over Netherlands this Sunday and Germany next week.

Northern Ireland still have a realistic chance for the said automatic qualification given that they pass their final group stage assignments and their rivals would suffer any slip-ups.

Netherlands, meanwhile, should be in good position for the top spot at the table as they are on a tear lately and they’ll face Estonia next to round out their group stage matches.

This figures to be a classic chess match between our two team managers in Ronald Koeman and Michael O’Neill, and football fans are expected to be in for a treat on this one.

SBOBET is here to discuss some talking points ahead of Sunday’s match.

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UEFA EURO 2020

Talking Points

Netherlands might tinker their lineup

The Euro 2020 odds for Oranje to book their spot in the next round of the tournament are as high as ever as they’ll need only a point to move on. Add on to the fact that they have a stacked roster, things are looking bright for team boss Ronald Koeman.

Netherlands have arguably the best centre-back pairing in the world with Virgil Van Dijk and Matthijs De Ligt, and both are expected to bring quality, stability, plus a couple of Euro 2020 highlights.

Virgil Van Dijk is one of the main reasons as to why Liverpool is on top of the Premier League table. He is tactical in the tackle, strong in the air, and he is a great leader for their team. At the same time, the 28-year-old can provide ample support whether on defence or at the front.

Matthijs de Ligt also possesses the same skill set as Van Dijk. The 20-year-old was remembered to have signed a £75M transfer that would make Juventus stronger than ever. His speed and playmaking at the back would be vital for Oranje in their campaign.

For this match, Koeman is expected to miss the services of their star striker in Memphis Depay due to his hamstring complaint. However, they still have plenty of strength in the middle with the likes of Frenkie de Jong, Donny Van de Beek, and Georginio Wijnaldum. Ajax forward Quincy Promes is expected to take Depay’s place at the front for the meantime.

Meanwhile, Myron Boadu, Calvin Stengs, and Marco Bizot could make their debuts for the Oranje on Sunday.

Northern Ireland looking to avenge their previous loss versus Oranje

The Green and Whites could’ve been in a better spot if they won against the Oranje in their reverse fixture last month. Michael O’Neill’s men were pretty much in control up until the last minute when things went downhill.

Northern Ireland might face elimination if they got defeated by Netherlands in Euro 2020 — Northern Ireland ‘s Josh Magennis celebrates after scoring a goal

Northern Ireland took a 1-0 lead when substitute Josh Magennis scored a stunner in the 75^th minute after a lovely cross by Stuart Dallas.

However, Memphis Depay unloaded goals of his own in the last 15 minutes. The Lyon striker netted a clinical finish in the 80^th minute while he scored another one in added time for good measure. Luuk de Jong also helped Netherlands’ cause when he scored one too.

For sure O’Neill would like to get that one back, and his players have the same thing in mind.

They are expected to field in most of their key members on Sunday, with Jonny Evans, and Craig Cathcart manning the back while Paddy McNair, Stuart Dallas, and Steven Davis provide stability in the midfield.

Kyle Lafferty will be their main man on the front, but Josh Magennis is also making a strong case to start at the former’s expense. O’Neill will opt to start a more-experienced player in Jasper Cillessen to handle the goalkeeping duties.

History

The Oranje have gotten the better of the Green and Whites in all of their two matches so far. Other than their reverse fixture last month, Netherlands managed to post a 6-0 clean sheet against Northern Ireland back in June 2012.

Netherlands have won in their last three away games, scoring ten goals in the process. They have scored at least two goals in nine of their last ten matches.

Betting Tip

	Northern Ireland vs Netherlands	Netherlands Asian Handicap -1.00 @1.71
	November 17, 03:45 (GMT+8)

Our SBOBET odds have Netherlands as the hot favourites placed at 1.40, while Northern Ireland are at 6.20 and a draw is at 4.50 in the 1×2 market.

The Oranje have been one of the most formidable squads in the tournament as they can hit the proverbial switch anytime as they please. However, Northern Ireland’s fighting spirit shouldn’t be as they’ll do everything they can to stay alive.

Even without Memphis Depay, Netherlands’ attacking form might be too much to handle for the home team, which is why I’m expecting a 2-1 tally in this match.