The highly anticipated Euro 2024 semi-final clash between the Netherlands and England is set to take place on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at the Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund, Germany.
Both teams have navigated their way through the tournament with determination, showcasing their strengths and resilience.
Match Preview
The Netherlands, led by coach Ronald Koeman, have a rich history in the European Championship. They have reached the semi-finals five times, winning the tournament in 1988.
The Oranje’s path to the semi-finals this year has been marked by matches against Poland, France, Austria, Romania, and Turkey.
Key players for the Netherlands include Memphis Depay, who has been directly involved in 47 out of their 74 shots at Euro 2024, and Cody Gakpo, who has also made a significant impact with his attacking prowess.
England, under the guidance of Gareth Southgate, are aiming to reach their second consecutive European Championship final.
The Three Lions have a strong squad filled with talented players such as Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and Bukayo Saka.
England’s journey to the semi-finals has been characterized by resilience, with last-minute heroics and penalty shootouts against Slovakia and Switzerland.
Despite not always convincing in their performances, England have managed to grind out results, showcasing their determination to succeed.
The Netherlands have showcased their adaptability and diverse style of play throughout the tournament.
In their quarter-final win against Turkey, they demonstrated resilience by coming from behind to secure a 2-1 victory.
The Oranje have scored nine goals in their five matches so far, with an expected goals (xG) of 8.12, ranking fourth in the competition.
England, on the other hand, have relied on their defensive solidity and the ability to capitalize on crucial moments.
Their quarter-final match against Switzerland was a testament to their resilience, as they came from behind to force extra time and ultimately win on penalties.
However, England have mustered just 4.36 xG in their matches, scoring five times, which is lower than the Netherlands’ attacking output.
Head to Head
The Netherlands and England have faced each other 22 times in all competitions, with the Oranje winning 7 matches, England winning 6, and 9 draws.
In their last 9 meetings, England have won just once, drawing 4 times and losing 4 times.
The most recent encounter between the two teams was in the UEFA Nations League semi-final in 2023, where the Netherlands secured a 3-1 victory after extra time.
Prior to that, England defeated the Netherlands 1-0 in a friendly match in Amsterdam in March 2018.
Injury and Suspension
Both teams have reported no major injury concerns or suspensions ahead of the semi-final clash.
All players are expected to be available for selection, allowing both coaches to field their strongest possible lineups.
Prediction
This semi-final match is poised to be an even contest, with both teams showcasing their strengths throughout the tournament.
The Netherlands’ attacking prowess, led by Depay and Gakpo, could pose a significant threat to England’s defensive solidity.
However, the Three Lions have proven their ability to grind out results and capitalize on crucial moments.
Given the historical precedent and the Netherlands’ recent success against England, coupled with their impressive attacking performances in the tournament, we predict a narrow victory for the Oranje.
The match is likely to be closely contested, with the possibility of extra time or even penalties to decide the outcome.
Betting Tips
Match Result: Netherlands to win
Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Over 2.5 goals – Both teams have shown attacking prowess throughout the tournament, and a high-scoring match is a distinct possibility.
Handicap: Netherlands +0.5 – Given the evenly matched nature of the contest, a handicap bet favoring the Netherlands could provide good value.
Both Teams to Score: Yes – Both teams have shown the ability to score goals, and a match with goals at both ends is a likely outcome.
