Netherlands vs. Bosnia: Oranje Favored to Sweep Past Group 3 Opponents

The football teams of the Netherlands and Bosnia and Herzegovina will play the match of the first round of the A3 group of the Nations League at the Phillips Stadium in Eindhoven tonight from 20:45. The newly crowned European champions head to Belgrade. Thousands of Bosnia and Herzegovina fans are coming to Eindhoven, so Sergej Barbarez’s team will have a lot of support from the stands. It is expected that there will be around 5,000 of our fans at the stadium. The weather is sunny in Eindhoven, and the current temperature is 28 degrees. A large number of BiH fans walk in small groups around the city, and there are also Dutch fans in bars in Eindhoven, BHRT writes. The song of the BiH fans will definitely echo through Eindhoven in the coming hours. There are also many Dutch fans on the streets, who are known for their devotion to the national team, so there is a real football atmosphere in the city, which we hope will remain so until the end. The match between the Netherlands and Bosnia and Herzegovina will be played tonight in Eindhoven starting at 20:45.

Netherlands vs. Bosnia: Match Preview

The Netherlands are heavily favored to start their UEFA Nations League campaign with a win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Saturday. The Oranje will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing Euro 2024 quarterfinal exit, while Bosnia and Herzegovina are looking to make a statement in their first season in League A.

The Netherlands had a good run at Euro 2024, making it to the semifinals, but they were ultimately eliminated by England. They also finished fourth in the last edition of the Nations League. However, they have a strong squad with players like Virgil van Dijk, Frenkie de Jong, and Cody Gakpo, and they will be looking to dominate this group.

Bosnia and Herzegovina, on the other hand, are coming off a poor run of form. They were beaten 5-0 by Portugal and 4-1 by Luxembourg in recent friendlies, and they will be facing a tough test against the Netherlands.

Key Players to Watch

Netherlands

Cody Gakpo: The Liverpool winger is a key player for the Netherlands, and he will be looking to make a big impact in this match. He scored three goals at Euro 2024, and he will be a threat to the Bosnia and Herzegovina defense.
Virgil van Dijk: The Liverpool center-back is a dominant force in the Netherlands defense, and he will be crucial to keeping the Bosnia and Herzegovina attack at bay.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Edin Dzeko: The veteran striker is still a threat to opposing defenses, and he will be looking to score against the Netherlands. He will need to be at his best if Bosnia and Herzegovina want to pull off an upset.

Predictions and Betting Tips

Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement. Our betting expert has prepared Netherlands vs Bosnia and Herzegovina predictions as the sides prepare to meet in the Nations League on Sunday.

The Netherlands are predicted to beat Bosnia 3-0. Philips Stadion in Eindhoven hosts the Netherlands and Bosnia in their opening Nations League fixture on Friday. A run to the semifinals of the Euros was a decent outcome for the Netherlands. It was their longest run at a major tournament since the 2014 World Cup and represents a step in the right direction under the leadership of Ronald Koeman. There has been some notable squad turnover since the summer tournament, with Daley Blind retiring, and other senior figures not in the final group for this international break. Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee is among the more inexperienced names included. Topping a group with Finland, Montenegro, and Romania has seen Bosnia and Herzegovina earn a place in Nations League Group A. The Dragons failed to qualify for the Euros and come into this match in poor form. Edin Dzeko is still going strong and will lead the line for the visitors in Eindhoven. The former Manchester City man is the standout name in an inexperienced squad following the retirement of Miralem Pjanic. Only 10 players have double-digit caps.

Netherlands Probable Starting XI

Verbruggen; Dumfries, de Ligt, van Dijk, Ake; Gravenberch, Reijnders; Malen, Simons, Gakpo; Zirkzee.

Bosnia Probable Starting XI

Piric; Ahmedhodzic, Katic, Bicakcic; Gazibegovic, Saric, Tahirovic, Hajradinovic, Mujakic; Dzeko, Demirovic.

Bosnia have lost six consecutive matches. The run began with a 5-0 hammering by Portugal and included a 4-1 loss to Luxembourg. After their excellent start to the last Nations League, they have lost 10 of 14 matches. The Netherlands did well to reach the last four of the Euros and were only eliminated by a phenomenal last-minute strike from Ollie Watkins. They beat Romania 3-0 in the round of 16, which was the latest in a string of emphatic victories. Oranje have only failed to score in two matches since their Euro 2020 exit to the Czech Republic - both of them came against France.

With heavy victories over Iceland, Canada, and Scotland already this year, the Oranje are a good bet to win this match by at least two clear goals. Bosnia are overmatched in this section.

Bet 1: Netherlands -1 @1.61 with 1xBet

Cody Gakpo is the joint-highest scorer in this Netherlands squad with 12 goals. Three of Gakpo’s strikes came at Euro 2024 after three goals in qualifying for the tournament and three at the World Cup. Whether operating from the left flank or in a central role, Gakpo is pivotal to Koeman’s team. He has been limited to a substitute role under Arne Slot at Liverpool, so he should be fresher than many of his teammates. Where Gakpo’s production has fluctuated at club level, he has been a reliable performer for the Oranje. There’s good value here given his quiet start to the Premier League campaign.

Bet 2: Cody Gakpo to score anytime @1.95 with 1xBet

This should be an emphatic victory for the Netherlands against a Bosnia team that is low on confidence after a string of defeats. Five of Bosnia’s last six matches have seen over 2.5 total goals – the 1-0 defeat to Italy was the only exception. Over 2.5 goals hit in the Netherlands’ last four matches at the Euros. Their first three matches in the last edition of the Nations League went over this line, plus their two fixtures at the Nations League Finals were very high-scoring. The price is shorter but that shouldn’t put bettors off backing over 2.5 for this match. With 3-0 seeming a likely scoreline, we don’t feel comfortable pushing this to over 3.5.

Bet 3: Over 2.5 total goals @ 1.55 with 1xBet

Netherlands vs. Bosnia: Match Analysis

The Netherlands will be looking to get off to a strong start in the Nations League. They are a talented team with a lot of attacking firepower, and they should be able to create plenty of chances against a Bosnia and Herzegovina defense that is in poor form. However, Bosnia and Herzegovina will be hoping to cause an upset. They will be looking to exploit any weaknesses in the Netherlands defense, and they will be hoping to get a positive result.

Ultimately, the Netherlands should be able to win this match comfortably. They are the better team on paper, and they are playing at home. Bosnia and Herzegovina will need to play very well to get anything from this match.

The Oranje's Road to Redemption

With a new look squad and a fresh outlook, the Netherlands will be aiming to make their mark on this season's Nations League. While the loss to England at Euro 2024 stung, it also provided a valuable lesson: there is still room for improvement. This match against Bosnia will be a chance for the Oranje to show that they have learned from their mistakes and are ready to contend for a title.

The first match of the Nations League is crucial for any team, but it is especially important for the Netherlands. A strong start will give them confidence and momentum going forward. A loss, however, could derail their chances of success in the tournament.

The Dutch fans will be hoping to see a dominant performance from their team on Saturday. They will be looking for goals, attacking football, and a convincing victory. It's a new season, and the Oranje are ready to make their mark. The question is, can they do it without their Euro 2024 hero, Memphis Depay?

The Future of the Oranje

The Netherlands are a footballing nation with a rich history. However, in recent years, they have struggled to live up to expectations. Despite reaching the Euro 2024 semifinals, there are still questions about the future of the team. Ronald Koeman is a proven manager, but he faces a tough task in rebuilding the squad and restoring the team to its former glory. The Nations League is a chance for the Netherlands to prove that they are still a force to be reckoned with on the international stage. They will need to perform well in this tournament if they want to convince the world that they are on the right track.

The Netherlands vs. Bosnia match is a crucial one for both teams. The Oranje will be looking to make a statement and start their Nations League campaign with a win, while Bosnia and Herzegovina will be looking to cause an upset. It promises to be an exciting and competitive match, and we'll be sure to keep you updated on all the action.

Where to Watch

You can watch the game live on Fox Sports 2 in the United States. In the UK, the game will be streamed on Premier Player. If you're in Canada, you can watch the game on DAZN Canada. And if you're in Australia, you can watch the game on Optus Sport.