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March 18 2025, 10:20 · Alex Lawes
Updated March 20 2025, 12:36

Netherlands vs Spain Preview: Team News & Prediction

Netherlands vs Spain Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Netherlands have been blessed with some really impressive emerging talents this season as they now mark themselves against the defending and European champions Spain here.

Kick-off date/time: Thursday 20th March, 2025: UK – 7:45pm / US ET – 3:45pm / US PT – 12:45pm

How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – FOX Sports

How to watch online: UK – Amazon Prime / US – FOX Sports streaming platforms

Netherlands Preview: Exciting Oranje

The Netherlands overperformed expectations to reach the semi-finals of UEFA EURO 2024 before losing to eventual runners’ up England in Dortmund. Ronald Koeman has remained in charge of an Oranje side that are beginning to look very strong in terms of their squad.

They were relatively underwhelming in the league phase of the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League, though, managing just two victories from six matches against Bosnia-Herzegovina, Hungary and group winners Germany.

Spain Preview: All conquering Espana again

Luis de la Fuente’s reign as Spain boss began with a defeat to Scotland in March 2023 but La Roja have since won the UEFA Nations League and then the UEFA European Championships last summer, playing a mightily impressive style of football, too.

The Spaniards drew their first league phase game of this season’s UEFA Nations League before then finishing their campaign with five magnificent victories, including a dramatic 3-2 defeat of Switzerland in their final game in Tenerife, courtesy of a 93rd minute Bryan Zaragoza penalty.

Netherlands Team News: De Jong to be fit

Frenkie de Jong didn't start for Barcelona against Atletico at the weekend due to illness but Ronald Koeman has said he expects the former Ajax midfielder to be available this week. Koeman, as blunt as ever, has left out Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee due to him not being 'good enough at the moment'.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Frimpong, De Ligt, Van Dijk, Timber; Gravenberch, De Jong; Gakpo, Reijnders, Simons; Depay

Unavailable: Ake (Injured), Dumfries (Injured), Schouten (Injured)

Questionable: 

Spain Team News: A few withdrawals

Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez has withdrawn from the Spain squad due to injury with Real Madrid right-back Dani Carvajal still being unavailable. Marc Casado has also had to pull out for La Roja alongside Osasuna winger Bryan Zaragoza, whilst Rodri remains unavailable, albeit he has returned to training.

Predicted XI (4-3-3): Unai Simon; Oscar Mingueza, Pau Cubarsi, Le Normand, Cucurella; Pedri, Martin Zubimendi, Dani Olmo; Lamine Yamal, Alvaro Morata, Nico Williams

Unavailable: Inigo Martinez (Injured), Dani Carvajal (Injured), Rodri (Fitness), Marc Casado (Injured), Bryan Zaragoza (Injured)

Questionable: 

Key Stats

  • This is the first international tournament knockout tie between these teams since Spain defeated the Netherlands 1-0 in the final of the 2010 World Cup.
  • The Netherlands are unbeaten in their previous five matches at home against Spain with four wins and one draw.
  • The Netherlands have lost only one of their last eight matches against Spain (W5 D2).
  • The Netherlands have lost only three of their previous 13 UEFA Nations League matches in the Netherlands (W8 D2).
  • The Netherlands won two and drew one of their three home matches in their 2024/25 UEFA Nations League group.
  • The Netherlands have lost only three of their last 18 UEFA Nations League matches (W9 D6).
  • Spain are unbeaten in their last nine UEFA Nations League matches (W7 D2). They have won the last five.
  • Spain are unbeaten in their last eight UEFA Nations League matches outside of Spain (W5 D3).
  • Spain have won 14 and drawn two of their last 16 international matches.

Netherlands vs Spain Prediction

The Netherlands were exciting as they went deep into last summer’s UEFA European Championships. The hosts have been a little underwhelming in this season’s UEFA Nations League but will fancy their chances against a Spain side that are still dealing with plenty of key absentees, albeit that was the case in the league phase and the depth of quality available to Luis de la Fuente makes them permanently thrilling to watch. Both teams scoring would seem a good bet for this one.

Netherlands vs Spain Tip: Both teams to score

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