World Cup qualifying for the Netherlands has been a mixed bag as they go through a rebuilding process, and they’re third in Group A, three points behind Sweden. The Netherlands play Sweden in their next game, but first, they have to take care of business on Saturday on the road in Belarus, who are already eliminated from qualification.
What To Know About The Netherlands
The Netherlands were thumped 4-0 in France, but then came back with a 3-1 win at home over Bulgaria, and they’re very good at home with three wins and a loss in four games, scoring 12 goals and conceding three. However, they have a win, a draw and two losses away from home with four goals scored and eight goals conceded. They are still very dependent on Arjen Robben and while he has three goals in World Cup qualification, he has just two goals in nine games for Bayern Munich, so the Dutch will be hoping that he can pick up his form for his country. It would be nice if Memphis Depay stepped up as he has two goals in World Cup qualification, but the national team is waiting for him to take the next step and cash in on his huge potential.
What To Know About Belarus
Belarus fell 1-0 in Luxembourg and then they were routed 4-0 at home by Sweden, and the numbers aren’t good as they have a win, two draws and five losses with four goals scored and 16 goals allowed. However, they’re slightly better at home with a win, two draws and a loss, scoring three goals and allowing six goals. They’re not a team with a lot of star player or even experience as midfielder Stanislaw Srahun leads the way with 44 appearances for the national team, and only three players overall have 29 or more caps for their country. It doesn’t get any easier for Belarus after this as they head to France for their final qualification game; it could get rather ugly.
Outlook
The Netherlands are big favorites away from home at -400, while Belarus are set at +1400 and a draw comes in at +550. These two have met seven times with the Netherlands winning five and losing two, including a 4-1 win at home in October 2016. Quincy Promes scored twice for the Dutch, along with singles from Davy Klaasen and Vincent Janssen. It was a solid performance from Promes, who wasn’t named in the squad for these two World Cup qualification, but Depay is more dynamic and he can dominate this game if he plays the way that he can. The Netherlands should be able to win this game easily enough as Belarus will likely sit back and invite pressure, but you can only do that for so long when you don’t have the players to keep up. If the Netherlands need Robben to have a big game against the likes of Belarus, they have a problem on their hands ahead of their massive game with Sweden.
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