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Ronald Koeman and the Netherlands have the chance to win Group C on Tuesday but they will likely have to enjoy a comfortable victory against a strong and impressive Austrian side that can also win the group in order to do so.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Tuesday 25th June, 2024 - UK – 5:00pm / US EST – 12:00pm / US PT – 9:00am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – BBC / US – FOX
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – BBC iPlayer / US – VIX
NETHERLANDS PREVIEW: AN IMPRESSIVE ORANJE
Under the management of former Everton and Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman, the Netherlands have been typically underwhelming and quite reactive in general but there has been a shift, out of necessity, to a more proactive approach with the loss of their entire first choice midfield of Marten de Roon, Frenkie de Jong and Teun Koopmeiners.
The Dutch began their tournament with an impressive performance against Poland but they still needed a late winner from Wout Weghorst to come from behind and earn three points in that game before then being denied a 1-0 win against France in controversial circumstances after Xavi Simons’ supposed late winner was disallowed.
AUSTRIA PREVIEW: THE ENTERTAINERS
Former Manchester United interim coach Ralf Rangnick took charge of the Austrian national side in 2022 when they were in disarray under now Kosovo boss Franco Foda but he has reignited the relationship between the team and supporters with an intense and aggressive pressing style of football that is infectious.
The Austrians were arguably the better side against one of the pre-tournament favourites France in their opener but were downed by a goal to nil due to a Max Wober own goal before then putting on a show at the Olympiastadion in Berlin with a 3-1 win and some scintillating play in the second-half of that match.
NETHERLANDS TEAM NEWS: KOEMAN’S ATTACKING ORANJE
The Netherlands switched it up a bit against France with Jeremie Frimpong starting at right-wing and Xavi Simons moving into the number ten position. The belief is that was to deal with France’s attacking threat so Frimpong may drop back to the bench with Simons back out wide and Tijjani Reijnders able to push further forward again.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Dumfries, De Vrij, Van Dijk, Ake; Schouten, Veerman; Simons, Reijnders, Gakpo; Depay
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Brobbey (Injured)
AUSTRIA TEAM NEWS: AUSTRIANS KEEPING THEMSELVES FRESH
The intensity to which Austria play their football may harm them further down the line and the deeper we go into the tournament but for what is a crucial Group C game the expectation is that Ralf Rangnick will keep a similar looking side with the only change being the return of Florian Grillitsch to a deep midfield position.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Pentz; Posch, Wober, Danso, Mwene; Seiwald, Grillitsch; Laimer, Sabitzer, Baumgartner; Arnautovic
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
KEY STATS
NETHERLANDS VS AUSTRIA PREDICTION
The winners of Group D head into what is a favourable side of the knockout stage draw without the likes of Germany, Portugal and Spain. In order for the Netherlands to win the group then they will have to better France’s scoreline as Les Bleus take on Poland. Austria, on the other hand, will win the group if France fail to win and they defeat the Dutch. Given the style of football from both sides and what is at stake, we could have quite an entertaining encounter in which both teams score.
NETHERLANDS VS AUSTRIA TIP: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE