Euro 2024: There are Few Bigger Clashes than Orange and Blue

Netherlands vs France

When it comes to this week’s Euro 2024 qualification matches, there was one in particular that stood out to this SBOTOP writer.

Netherlands vs France is as big as it gets in this round of fixtures, and for football purists, it’s always a match to look forward to. The Dutch, the inventors of Total Football, have not been at their best over the past decade, but there have been signs in recent times that former playing legend Ronald Koeman is ready to bring back some former glory.

Didier Deschamps’ France, of course, have been the top European nation for a decade, though the FIFA World Rankings have consistently rated Belgium higher. But France wins competitions whereas their neighbours don’t. And both these teams are ranked in the top ten: Les Bleus at third and the Oranje at tenth.

Both come into the game in fine form. The Netherlands have won their last three qualification games, while France have won all five of theirs, so Les Bleus sit proudly on top of Group B with 15 points, six ahead of the Netherlands, who have a game in hand. Greece are in third place, level on points, with the Oranje having also played a game more.

The Johan Cruyff Arena is the perfect stage for two talent-filled football nations to show what they can do, and Amsterdam will be smoking on Friday.

Talking Points

No Gakpo for the Oranje

The Netherlands’ game against Greece was a must win for the Oranje who started the match in fourth place; and they came through with flying colours, winning 3-0 thanks to goals from Liverpool star Cody Gakpo, Marten De Roon and Wout Weghorst.

The recent win over Ireland saw Gakpo and Weghorst score again, but the Liverpool man is out of the running for this game having picked up an injury in the Reds’ recent loss to Tottenham Hotspur. That means the Netherlands front line will likely feature two of Weghorst, Donyell Malen, and Steven Bergwijn.

The Netherlands’ strength in recent years has been their ability to turn defence into attack, and while they have some of the best central defenders in the world, Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk and Manchester City’s Nathan Ake are likely to start; they have some brilliant attacking wingbacks.

 The experienced Daley Blind now plays for Girona, while the standout fullback in recent years has been the livewire Denzel Dumfries. He’s sure to feature heavily in the Euro 2024 highlights, and Chelsea’s left-sided player Ian Maatsen is the next exciting prospect.

New centre back pairing for Les Bleus

While the Oranje have a settled centre-back pair, there will be a change for Les Bleus in the heart of their defence as Jules Kounde, Dayot Upamecano, and now Arsenal star William Saliba have all been made unavailable.

While young replacements Malo Gusto and Axel Disasi have been drafted into the squad, Deschamps is likely to opt for a makeshift, but more experienced, pairing at the heart of defence. Liverpool’s 24-year-old centre-back Ibrahima Konate and PSG’s 27-year-old utility player Lucas Hernandez will take on the responsibility, despite having never played together in that role.

France took on the Republic of Ireland in their last qualifier, winning 2-0 and then lost a friendly to Germany with Antoine Griezmann scoring Les Bleus’ goal in a 2-1 reversal. Griezmann will likely line up alongside Kylian Mbappe up front, with Ousmane Dembele and Olivier Giroud also primed for action.

This is a highly potent attack and the Euro 2024 betting odds reckon it will fire Les Bleus to glory in Germany.

History

The Netherlands were the 1988 European Champions and reached the final of the 2010 World Cup, but the French have an even more impressive recent history, with two World titles and two European crowns, including the most recent Euro 2000 win.

France have won seven of the 11 meetings with the Netherlands, losing three and drawing one. And Les Bleus won the home qualifier leg 4-0 back in March this year, as Mbappe grabbed a brace with Griezmann and Upamecano both on target.

Betting Tip

The Netherlands are at a price of 2.68 to win this game, with France at 2.23 and the draw at 3.26, and it’s certainly a tough one to call. The Oranje have home advantage, but they face a fierce opponent, and if the Netherlands go for the win, I suspect there will be goals at both ends.

 

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