Netherlands vs Ukraine Prediction, Betting Tips and Preview - EURO 2020
How The Netherlands Qualified
It wasn’t too long ago that the Netherlands were genuine heavyweights of international football, on a par with Brazil, Germany and Argentina. But while the depth of Dutch talent may not be what it was, the Netherlands still produces world class players such as Virgil Van Dyke of Liverpool, arguably the best defender in the world.
Under the leadership of Dutch all-time great Ronald Koelman, Holland qualified for Euro 2020 by finishing second to Germany in their group. Holland finished with a W6 D1 L1 record, losing at home to their oldest soccer enemy (dating back to 1974), but returning the favour with victory in Germany.
How Ukraine Qualified
In his first ever coaching role, former AC Milan legend Andrei Shevchenko is proving to be as good a manager as he was a player. As a team, Ukraine has qualified intermittently for the European Championships , yet always failed to advance beyond the group stage. Since taking charge in 2016, Shevchenko’s team narrowly missed qualification for the 2018 World Cup, but then topped the 2018-19 UEFA Nations League.
Ukraine won qualifying Group B, winning six, drawing two and losing none of their games, beating and drawing with reigning European Champions Portugal, who finished second.
Netherlands vs Ukraine Stats & Analysis
This will be only the third meeting between these two teams, and the first in competition. Previously, Holland defeated Ukraine 3-0 in 2008, then drew with them 1-1 in 2010, both in friendly internationals. It will be interesting to see if there are any players in either squad who played in either of those games.
The current Dutch team is made up of players mainly playing in La Liga, Serie A, and the English Premier League, so their pedigree is beyond dispute.
The Ukraine team is a blend of youth and experience. Most players are from the two main Ukraine club sides of Dynamo Kiev and Shakhtar Donetsk, and age-wise range from 35-year old keeper Andriy Piatov to Manchester City’s 23-year old Oleksandr Zinchenko. Ukraine is a Cossack country, a warrior nation, so expect their team to be more than up for the fight.
Netherlands vs Ukraine Bet
This should be an excellent game between two evenly matched teams. Dutch genius Rinus Michels created Total Football in the late 1960s, and Dutch sides including the national team have been playing with skill and flair ever since. Shevchenko also has his team playing good football, but with typical Eastern European resolve.
This game has a low-scoring draw stamped all over it. Both sides have flair, but are also tough tackling and defensively sound. If there are goals, there won’t be many.
Netherlands 1-1 Ukraine – 8.50
