The two favourites will clash at the Metalist Stadium in Kharkiv on Wednesday, June 13, in a crucial tie. Netherlands are in a must win situation after a shock 1-0 loss at the hands of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Denmark-c2884 this past weekend.
On the other hand, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Germany-c2904 won their respective clash against Portugal to enhance their chances of progression to the next round. Joachim Low’s team can ensure a place in the knock-out stage with a win over Oranje whereas a loss
for the Dutch would mean an early exit from the European championship.
Netherlands
The World Cup 2010 finalists were regarded by many as genuine title contenders this time around but their performance against Denmark raised a lot of question marks. The Dutch side dominated the proceedings in their opening game
but were let down by their attackers.
The likes of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ibrahim-Afellay-c16547 missed a host of opportunities to score and were disappointing in front of goal. Bert van Marwijk’s team now has two tough games left in the competition against Germany
and Portugal and whether the side returns to qualify for the next round, remains to be seen.
Germany
Die Mannschaft secured a vital win against Portugal courtesy a terrific header from Mario Gomez in the second-half. The DFB eleven did not look at their best but were able to grind out an all important win against the Seleccao
to enhance their chances of progression to the next round.
Low’s side lacked the firepower which was witnessed heavily during the qualifying stages but are still being tipped to overcome the Spaniards to win the competition this time around.
Team news
The Dutch have no major injury concerns and are expected to make a few changes in the game against Germany. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Klaas-Jan-Huntelaar-c21175, who made a great impact when brought on in the second-half, is expected to play a part from the start.
Afellay could be the man to make way for the Schalke striker.
Expected line-up:
Stekelenburg, Van der Wiel, Heitinga, Vlaar, Willems, de Jong, Van Bommel, Robben, Sneijder, Huntelaar, Van Persie
Die Nationalelf are likely to go with the same team that won against Portugal. Mario Gomez, who scored the winner, will keep his place in the starting line-up ahead of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Miroslav-Klose-c26049.
Expected line-up:
Neuer, Boateng, Hummels, Badstuber, Lahm, Khedira, Schweinsteiger, Muller, Ozil, Podolski, Gomez
Players to watch
Robin Van Persie was a huge disappointment in the game against Denmark and the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429 striker was the culprit on many occasions. He had a few clear-cut chances to score but the finishing was way below the mark. The team
will expect the player to come up with his stunning form he showed for the Gunners in the season ended.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Switzerland-c3016 in a warm-up game, but the defender proved
that he is one of the best players Germany has in the heart of defence.
Prediction
Netherlands need a result against Germany if they need to progress in the competition whereas Die Mannschaft will be high on confidence after their win over http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Portugal-c2984 last week. Both sides have immense quality and have some world-class
players in their ranks which is why a draw would be a fair result.
Verdict: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Netherlands-c753 1-1 Germany
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