Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Nations League match.
A three-match winless streak leaves the Netherlands in a precarious position ahead of their home game against Hungary. They need only a narrow victory over their rivals to secure a playoff spot, but the visitors will likely aim to showcase their attacking prowess.
Netherlands
Despite securing just one win in four Nations League outings, the Netherlands consistently break through opponents' defences. In Budapest (1:1), they were unfortunate with Virgil van Dijk's sending off, although Denzel Dumfries did manage to equalise, and over the 90 minutes they created significantly more chances (0.95-0.35 in xG and 16-5 in shots). The Liverpool captain returns to the squad after his suspension, while Cody Gakpo and Joshua Zirkzee, who have struggled at club level, have an opportunity to make an impact on the national stage.
Hungary
Hungary's formation with three central defenders exposes other weaknesses. It seems that flank players Ádám Nagy and Bendegúz Bolla struggle to cover their workloads, while Dominik Szoboszlai and Roland Sallai can't consistently create chances for forward Barnabás Varga. Hungary managed an away win against Bosnia and Herzegovina (2:0), but they allowed 1.09 xGA and held only 34% possession against the group's underdogs.
Netherlands vs Hungary Prediction
In Amsterdam, the hosts should come out in good spirits and secure a confident victory. Overall, their quality is superior, and they are undoubtedly motivated for this match. While it might not be a rout, winning by two goals is within reach for the Netherlands.
