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Netherlands host Scotland in an international friendly at Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam.
With both team now in preparatory mode for this summer’s Euros, this friendly is a first chance for players to stake their claim for a place within their team’s squads for the tournament.
Team News
Mickey van de Ven is ruled out for Netherlands after he withdrew with a knee injury, which he had suffered in Tottenham’s Premier League win at Aston Villa.
Frenkie de Jong (ankle), Brian Brobbey (hamstring) and Joshua Zirkzee (muscle) have also withdrawn from the squad.
Scotland will be without Grant Hanley after the Norwich defender withdrew due to a lack of match fitness, having recently returned from an Achilles injury.
Scott McKenna also misses out after he withdrew with a unspecified injury.
When is Kick-Off?
Netherlands host Scotland at Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam, on Friday 22 March at 8:45pm CET (7:45pm UK Time), with the friendly broadcast live on Viaplay Sports 1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Netherlands are unbeaten in their last six friendlies against Scotland (W3, D3).
- Scotland are winless in their last six friendly visits to the Netherlands (D4, L2).
- Each of Netherlands’ last three goals against Scotland have been scored by Memphis Depay.
- Netherlands won three of their six home matches in 2023 across all competitions (W3, L3).
- Scotland are winless in their last five matches in all competitions (D2, L3).
Prediction
Having endured two difficult yet clinical 1-0 results in their last three matches plus a ruthless win last time out away to Gibraltar, Netherlands will surely view Scotland as a huge test of their quality despite having scored in their last nine games.
Scotland meanwhile seem to have lost their way defensively in recent matches despite having scored in 10 of their last 11 fixtures, with 14 goals conceded in their last five games so their task here surely has to be upon trying to address their defensive issues and bravely experiment if needed.
I however do expect this to be a close game and with several midfielders in form, Scotland certainly can get something out of this if can sort out their defensive sloppiness but there should be goals within both teams.
Prediction: Netherlands 1-1 Scotland
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