Netherlands - France predictions and free betting tips [13/10/2023]

On Friday, 13 October, within the scope of the 7th round of the Euro 2024 qualifiers, the Netherlands national team will face off against the French national side. As it currently stands, Les Bleus lead in the tournament table, having accumulated 15 points out of a possible 15, whilst the Dutch trail their adversaries by six points albeit having a game in hand.

Projected Line Ups

Netherlands: Verbruggen; De Vrij, Van Dijk, Ake; Dumfries, De Roon, Veerman, Blind; Simons, Weghorst, Malen.
France: Maignan; Pavard, Konate, L. Hernandez, T. Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud.

Stadium

The match will be held in Amsterdam, at the Johan Cruijff ArenA.

Netherlands

This past summer, the Dutch took part in the Nations League 'Final Four', thus missing out on the Euro qualifiers in June (they currently sit 2nd in Group B with 9 points, tied with the Greeks who are ranked lower). During the Nations League, the Dutch fell short: losing to Croatia in extra time in the semi-finals (2:4), before succumbing to Italy in a match for the 3rd place (2:3). In September, the Qatar World Cup quarter-finalists had no trouble claiming a victory at home against Greece in the qualifiers (3:0), followed by a triumph against Ireland (1:2), thus reclaiming the 2nd spot which earns them a ticket to the continental championship. The boys in green took the lead merely 4 minutes into the match in Dublin, however, Ronald Koeman's squad managed to turn the tide thanks to a penalty converted by Cody Gakpo and a precise strike in the second half by Wout Weghorst. On home turf, the hosts have emerged victorious in each of the last four qualifying matches, scoring at least three goals each time.

The managerial staff will not be able to rely on the injured Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Memphis Depay (Atletico, second leading scorer in the national team's history with 44 goals), and Timber (Arsenal, 15 national team appearances) who sustained a serious injury at the start of the season (cruciate ligaments). Recently, they were joined in the infirmary by Cody Gakpo (8 goals in 19 matches), winger Noa Lang (showed great promise following his transfer to PSV), Bayern Munich's centre-back, De Ligt (43 matches) and Sven Botman. The situation with the goalkeepers is also quite complex: first-choice keeper Bijlow has been sidelined at Feyenoord for several weeks now, his substitute Flekken (Brentford) is unavailable due to injury, and Cillessen (65 matches) was not selected. As a result, Andris Noppert (Heerenveen), who was the main goalkeeper for the Dutch at the last World Cup, will likely guard the posts. In addition to him, expected to hit the pitch from the first minute are Van Dijk (Liverpool), Ake (Manchester City), the seasoned Blind (Girona) and right back Dumfries (Inter, 6 goals in 47 matches).

France

France, runners-up at the recent World Cup in Qatar, won all their Euro qualifiers for the upcoming continental tournament, the last of which was held last month at the Parc des Princes - a 2:0 victory over Ireland thanks to goals from Tchouameni and Thuram. Following this, Les Bleus squared off against Germany in a friendly, which ended in a 2:1 victory for the Germans - Antoine Griezmann converted a penalty in the final stages of the match. This served as a psychological blow for Didier Deschamps's proteges, who up until that point had enjoyed an excellent run of five successive victories since the start of the calendar year. It's worth adding, however, that the main squad was not fielded for that match. France is one of only two national teams that have yet to concede in the Euro 2024 qualifier tournament (the other being Portugal) and haven't experienced defeat in 12 qualifying rounds since their 2:0 loss to Turkey in June 2019.

Deschamps called up nearly the same squad as a month ago, with the only significant change being the return of right-back Klauss (Marseille). Jules Kounde is definitely out of the upcoming match as he got injured in Sunday's match against Granada and will be out for several weeks; his spot will likely be filled by Chelsea's Disasi, whilst Upamecano was replace by Malo Gusto. In defence, we may see the exceptional Konate (Liverpool), Lucas Hernandez (PSG) and Pavard (Inter); in the midfield Rabiot (Juventus), Camavinga (Real Madrid, 12 goals), Tchouameni (Real Madrid, 3 goals in 27 matches) and Fofana (Monaco) could be fielded. In the guests' attack, an array of stars: the team's all-time leading scorer Olivier Giroud (Milan), PSG trio Dembele (4 goals in 39 matches), Kolo Muani (10 matches) and captain Kylian Mbappe (40 goals in 71 matches). It is expected that Griezmann (Atletico Madrid, 44 goals in 123 matches) will link play between the midfield and France's attack.

Head-to-Head

In the first round of matches back in March, the French utterly thrashed the Dutch at home, with a scoreline of 4:0.  

Netherlands - France match prediction

Deschamps's lads have almost certainly secured their ticket to next summer's Euro, the question remains whether they can hold onto top spot. A defeat in the friendly against Germany can only serve to invigorate the players, whereas the Dutch haven't shown flawless football since their managerial change. On top of all this, the Oranje are reeling from personnel losses in attack – I'm placing my bet on France's zero handicap.

Prediction for total

In three out of the last four head-to-head matches, the teams have surpassed a total of 2.5 goals. Given the wealth of attacking talent in both sides, it is logical to bet on a continuation of high scoring games.