The curtain rises on Group D of Euro 2024 with an exciting clash between Poland and Netherlands. Both sides arrive in Hamburg on June 16th desperate for a winning start in what promises to be a tightly contested group. Both Poland and Netherlands will consider themselves to be candidates to progress to the knockout stages alongside the mighty France.
For the Dutch, a victory over Poland would be a significant boost to their hopes of qualification, especially considering their upcoming encounter with group favorites, France. Led by the ever-dangerous Robert Lewandowski, Poland cannot be underestimated, and their fighting spirit in the playoffs demonstrates their hunger for success.
Despite a shaky qualifying campaign that saw them finish third in their group, Poland scraped through the playoffs to secure their place in Germany. On the other hand, the Netherlands enjoyed a more straightforward qualification journey, finishing second in their group behind France.
This Poland vs Netherlands match promises to be a fascinating tactical battle between a resurgent Poland, fueled by Lewandowski’s goal scoring prowess, and a Netherlands side determined to establish themselves as genuine contenders for the Euro 2024 title.
Poland Team Preview
Poland arrives at Euro 2024 with a cloud of uncertainty hanging over them. While qualification secured their place in Germany, their recent form and squad composition raise questions about their ability to compete at the highest level.
Following a disappointing qualifying campaign under Fernando Santos, Michal Probierz took the reins in September 2023. Known for favoring a 3-5-2 formation, Probierz has begun integrating younger players into the squad, a move seen as necessary for a team in transition.
While Robert Lewandowski remains Poland’s biggest name, his goal scoring prowess has dipped in recent seasons. This decline, coupled with a lack of strong support and creative playmakers, raises concerns about the team’s attacking capabilities. Probierz is expected to deploy a second striker alongside Lewandowski, but the overall effectiveness of the Polish attack remains to be seen.
Poland’s defense is another major worry. The retirements of experienced players like Glik and Krychowiak have left a void in leadership and stability at the back. The current back-three system needs a strong supporting cast to be effective, which may be lacking in this squad.
The Euro 2024 squad leans heavily on experienced players, with 15 out of the 28 provisional players being 28 years old or older. This lack of youthful exuberance gives the team a sense of being stuck between eras, neither fully established nor on the clear path to rejuvenation.
Despite the overall concerns, Poland has a world-class goalkeeper in Wojciech Szczesny. His experience and shot-stopping ability will be crucial, especially considering the potential frailties in front of him.
Poland faces a daunting task in their group, dubbed the “Group of Death.” While replicating the success of the legendary 1974 team is a distant dream, the Polish team will hope to see a glimpse of promise from their squad as they embark on this Euro 2024 journey.
Predicted XI: Szczęsny; Bednarek, Dawidowicz, Kiwior; Frankowski, Piotrowski, Slisz, Zieliński, Zalewski; Świderski, Lewandowski.
Netherlands Team Preview
The Netherlands enters Euro 2024 with a mix of promise and potential pitfalls. While having a world-class defense and a core of experienced players, questions linger about their attacking options and tactical approach.
Veteran coach Ronald Koeman finds himself back at the helm of the Dutch national team. Despite his recent mixed success at the club level, he has a strong track record with the Netherlands, leading them to the 2019 Nations League final during his first stint. His preferred 5-3-2 formation hinges on finding a solution at left wing-back, a position weakened by injuries.
One of the Netherlands’ greatest strengths lies in its central defense. Even with the absence of two top talents, Virgil van Dijk is joined by a formidable cast of defenders like Nathan Ake and Matthijs de Ligt. This defensive solidity provides a strong foundation for the Dutch team.
The Netherlands’ attacking options seem less clear-cut. While Memphis Depay is a key player when fit, his fitness is a concern. Other attacking talents like Cody Gakpo and Donyell Malen are seen as decent but not elite. Frenkie de Jong’s deep-lying midfielder role is crucial, but his recent injury raises concerns about the team’s control in his absence.
Koeman seeks to join an exclusive club of managers who have won the Euros as both player and coach. Whether these echoes of the past translate to present-day success remains to be seen.
Predicted XI: Verbruggen; De Vrij, Van Dijk, Ake; Dumfries, Schouten, De Jong, Blind; Simons, Gakpo; Weghorst.
Poland Vs Netherlands Betting Odds
Poland 5.50 – 4.10 Draw – 1.68 Netherlands (Parimatch)
Poland Vs Netherlands Head-to-Head Stats
The upcoming Euro 2024 clash between Poland and Netherlands is loaded with history, but recent trends heavily favor the Dutch. Looking back at the last six meetings between these two nations, the Netherlands has dominated, winning five and drawing one. The last time Poland emerged victorious was in 1979.
This historical dominance by the Netherlands can’t be ignored. Poland will need to overcome this mental hurdle and produce a strong performance to break the streak. While past performance isn’t always a guarantee of future results, it does place a significant psychological burden on the Polish team.
Poland Vs Netherlands Betting Tips and Predictions
While the Dutch aren’t considered frontrunners for the trophy, they’re expected to overpower Poland in their opening match. We would predict a comfortable victory for the Netherlands, considering their recent dominance and talented squad under manager Ronald Koeman.
Predicting the exact number of goals is a challenge, but we lean towards a low-scoring encounter (under 2.5 goals) in Hamburg. This might seem surprising, considering Poland boasts the world-class striker Robert Lewandowski. However, the Netherlands possesses a formidable defensive trio in Virgil van Dijk, Stefan de Vrij, and Nathan Ake, who are expected to neutralize Lewandowski’s threat.
With Poland’s attack potentially contained, the Dutch offense is favored to take the lead. Cody Gakpo, who recently enjoyed a prolific goalscoring run with Liverpool, is a strong contender to be the first goalscorer. The overall prediction leans towards a comfortable 2-0 victory for the Netherlands.
The Euro 2024 clash between Poland and the Netherlands promises an intriguing tactical battle. While history favors the Dutch, Poland’s attacking prowess, spearheaded by Lewandowski, shouldn’t be underestimated. The outcome could depend on whether the Dutch defense can contain Lewandowski, and if the Netherlands’ offense can capitalize on their scoring opportunities. This Poland vs Netherlands match is sure to be a captivating start to the tournament for these two teams.