The top two teams in Group A2 of the UEFA Nations League (UNL) clash here as unlikely pacesetters Greece host the Netherlands, who are also unbeaten after two games.
Match News and Current Form
Greece’s start to their UNL campaign has been sensational as they first came from behind to defeat Serbia 2-1 before beating Jürgen Klopp’s Germany 1-0 on Sunday. What makes those results perhaps even more impressive is that they both came away from home, so Ivan Jovanović’s men may be slightly disappointed to be returning to familiar surroundings, especially as they have lost three of their last four home matches (W1), with each defeat seeing them fail to score. After achieving back-to-back UNL promotions though, Greece now have the chance to win their first three games in the competition for a third successive campaign.
After getting a late equaliser against Germany on matchday one, the Netherlands then earned a hard-fought 2-1 win over Serbia to put themselves in early contention to reach the UNL quarter-finals. Despite not having won this competition before, the Oranje have enjoyed some successful campaigns, finishing as runners-up in the inaugural edition in 2018/19 before coming fourth in 2022/23. With their two most recent results, new head coach Xavi has helped extend their competitive unbeaten streak in normal time to 18 games (W10, D8), with the Netherlands not losing any of their last 12 internationals in regulation time on foreign soil (W7, D5).
Head-to-Head History
The Netherlands have won nine of the 11 historical H2Hs (D1, L1), keeping a clean sheet in all nine wins!
Hot Stats and Streaks
Greece’s last eight internationals were decided by a one-goal margin at most.
Just one of Greece’s last seven UNL games saw both teams score.
The Netherlands scored at least once after half-time in their last seven matches.
The Netherlands’ last seven games saw both teams score.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Anastasios Douvikas got Greece’s winner against Serbia on matchday one, meaning that he has contributed to 19 victories in his last 20 scoring appearances for club or country (D1). Mexx Meerdink’s first goals for the Netherlands - on just his second cap - proved the difference against Serbia, with the 23-year-old being on the winning side in all five of his scoring appearances for either his country or AZ Alkmaar so far this season.
Greece don't seem to have any fresh absentees, while Cody Gakpo is the latest player to join the Netherlands’ extensive injury list after being forced off early against Serbia.
For all the latest team news, please check the ScoresStat match centre.
Betting Analysis
Given the Netherlands’ recent matches and Greece’s current form, both teams to score makes a lot of sense here.
Author: Alex Bowmer
