Ireland v Netherlands Prediction, Preview & Odds – Euro 2024 Qualifier

We have an Ireland v Netherlands prediction plus betting odds for you as we preview Sunday’s massive Euro 2024 Qualifier in Dublin.

Ireland v The Netherlands Match Info

Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin

When? 7.45 pm, Sunday the 10^th  of September

What Channel? RTÉ 2

Ireland v The Netherlands Betting Odds

Ireland are priced at 9/2 underdogs to win what feels like a must-win game. The Netherlands on the other hand are the 6/10 favourites while the draw is 14/5.

The Form – Ireland v The Netherlands

Ireland’s Form

Ireland under Stephen Kenny, particularly recently, has been a constant battle of seemingly going two steps forward and then three steps back. The Kenny In, Kenny Out debate rages on but if Ireland doesn’t pick up a point or more or at least put in a positive performance during this International window then it could be curtains for Kenny.

In 2023 Ireland opened the season with a 3-2 victory against Latvia. Five days later they put in a big performance against France but a stunning Benjamin Pavard strike proved decisive as the French left Dublin with all 3 points.

The most recent international window was another that brought question marks over Kenny’s credentials. This Irish team were outclassed tactically in a 2-1 defeat against Greece in a game where a point would have put Ireland in a great position.

Ireland did beat minnows Gibraltar 3-0 in the final game of that international window but made tough work of it as the sides were level at half-time.

This latest international window has opened with yet more disappointment as the team were defeated 0-2 by France. To be fair, it was a spirited first-half performance and you could argue they were unlucky not to go into the break level.

During the second half however they were completely and utterly outclassed which again has Kenny’s job on tenterhooks with the public sentiment turning quickly against him.

FT | Plenty of effort but no reward as we fall to defeat in Paris.

We go again for a massive game in Dublin on Sunday 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/VnNJB30OZB

— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) September 7, 2023

The Netherland’s Form

Ronald Koeman commenced his second spell in charge of The Netherlands in January (the first being between 2018 and 2020) following the resignation of Louis van Gaal after Holland’s World Cup Quarter-Final elimination to Argentina the previous month.

Van Gaal left with a win ratio of 70% in his third stint in charge from twenty matches. For comparison Ronald Koeman in his first spell had a win rate of 55% from his twenty matches in charge.

The Dutch started the season in poor form. Despite dominating possession against France they succumbed to a 4-0 hammering. This was followed by a 3-0 victory over group minnows Gibraltar.

The second international window of the season went even worse for the Dutch losing 2-4 to Croatia AET in the 2023 UEFA National League Semi-Final before losing the 3^rd place match against Italy 2-3.

However, on Thursday Night they had a huge 3-0 victory over Greece that puts them in prime position for qualification from this group. Given that win and Ireland’s recent struggles this Dutch outfit will be travelling to Dublin with huge confidence.

With that said, there is an air of fragility about this side and even if Ireland aren’t great, the Netherlands could be there for the taking if Ireland can put in a strong performance, in my opinion.

What we needed! 🧡#NothingLikeOranje #NEDGRE pic.twitter.com/oGd6QJYubA

— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) September 7, 2023

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Ireland v Netherlands Predicted Lineups

Ireland Predicted XI

Formation: 3-4-2-1

GK: Bazunu

RCB: Collins, CB: Egan, LCB: O’Shea

RWB:  Ebosele, CM Molumby, CM: Cullen, LWB: McClean

AM: Smallbone, AM:  Knight

CF: Idah

The Netherlands Predicted XI

Formation: 3-4-3

GK: Flekken

RCB: Geertruida, CB: van Dijk, LCB: de Ligt

RM: Dumfries,  CM: de Roon , CM: de Jong  LM: Ake

RW: Simons, CF: Weghorst, LW: Gakpo

Ireland v The Netherlands Preview

Ireland’s Attack

Ireland in the second half against France created absolutely nothing. That was in contrast to the first half where they created a couple promising attacks. The team looked tired and completely out-classed to the point of hardly touching the ball for the final forty-five minutes.

Whether people think Kenny or this Irish side are capable of doing anything progressive in terms of their attacking structures in the Aviva Stadium is an argument there is certainly some degree of merit toward. But the reality is, they’re going to have to try one way or another as anything but a win here will be curtains for qualification, Kenny and any faint Irish hopes remaining.

It remains to be seen how Kenny tactically approaches this game, especially with fitness and form issues throughout the squad. I suspect there will be changes but Idah and Ogbene should remain due to their general pace and strength.

The pair did well for forty odd minutes against France. Ebosele has a chance to come in at RWB while Smallbone might be brought in (if fit) for some added creativity.

The Netherlands’ Defence

Across five matches in 2023, the Dutch have conceded eleven goals which shows they can be gotten at defensively (albeit those eleven goals came against France, Croatia and Italy). They could be targeted due to a lack of pace in the backline especially with the van Dijk decline in recent months.

With that said, the Dutch defence plays a huge role within Koeman’s side, The Netherlands typically dominate possession and a huge part of that is due to the likes of defenders van Dijk, Ake and Blind who are all comfortable in possession.

The Netherland’s Attack

The Netherlands average exactly two goals per game having scored ten in their last five games. They will be coming into this following a 3-0 victory over Greece where they had 53% of the ball,  fourteen shots and six on target.

The Dutch are a more possessional dominant and reliant side and I could see them having close to France’s 69% from their game against Ireland. Although this time around I think it will be more consistent (France left Ireland have a lot of the ball in the first half).

The only benefit from an Irish perspective is that while Gakpo has plenty of pace Weghorst, Blind and just their side in general should be a lot less explosive than France. This could allow Ireland to play more attacking full-backs.

Ireland’s Defence

Ireland put in a relatively resolute defensive performance against France in the first half with the CBs in particular doing well. Enda Stevens was very lost as Dembele took him to the cleaners which saw him taken off at half-time for James McClean.

The second half, as mentioned earlier, was a completely different story. France stepped up the gears and despite Ireland just conceding one goal in both halves, the French toyed with the Irish and could’ve (and should’ve) had more goals.

The defensive changes for the Netherlands will need to be with an attacking intention. I think McClean/Manning and even Ebosele could come in at wing back/full back (Ebosele depends on where Knight plays and if Smallbone comes in at AM). Duffy could make way for another ball-playing centre back in O’Shea too.

Ireland v The Netherlands Head-to-Head Results

Twenty matches have taken place between Ireland and The Netherlands. Ireland has seven victories; there have been four draws while The Netherlands has won nine times.

Here’s how the last five games have gone:

27 May 2016 | International Friendly | Ireland 1-1 The Netherlands

16 August 2016 | International Friendly | Ireland 0-4 The Netherlands

5 June 2004 | International Friendly | Ireland 1-0 The Netherlands

01 September 2001 | World Cup Qualifier | Ireland 1-0 The Netherlands

02 September 2000 | World Cup Qualifier | The Netherlands 2-2 Ireland

Ireland vs. The Netherlands Prediction & Best Bet

Prediction: Ireland 1-1 The Netherlands

Despite Ireland’s poor form and limitations, the French game was the first that they lost by over one goal under Stephen Kenny and their home form is slightly more solid.

The Netherlands on the other hand may have confidence from the Greece result, but they’re not the side they once were either.

I could see this being a scored draw.

Enjoy this post? Then you might also want to take a look at our Ukraine v England preview in another big Euro 2024 Qualifier this weekend.

Best Bet: Draw – Score @ 15/4

Click Below For All Our Ireland v The Netherlands Betting Odds

*Prices Subject To Fluctuation

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