Netherlands – Serbia: prediction and preview

The Netherlands, second in Group A2 with 5 points and still unbeaten (1-1 with Germany, 1-2 in Serbia and 2-2 in Greece), host bottom side Serbia, pointless after three defeats, in Eindhoven. Xavi needs a win to keep pace with Greece. Without Van Hecke, Kluivert, Malen, Brobbey and Gakpo, Xavi switches to a 4-3-3 packed with technical midfielders (Veerman, Koopmeiners, Gravenberch and Reijnders spread between midfield and defence), Summerville and Noa Lang wide and Meerdink, scorer of two in Belgrade, up front; Van Dijk and Van de Ven anchor the back line. Paunović drops the 5-4-1 for a bolder 4-4-2, with Tadić and Cvetković up front and Samardžić and Lukić creating. Lithuanian referee Donatas Rumšas takes charge. The Netherlands shoot 22 times per game with 64% possession; Serbia average just 33% of the ball. The site's statistical forecast gives 60% home, 22% draw and 17% away, with 1-0 the most likely score; Serbia's back four leaves more space in behind.